The most misleading old quote regarding football analysis — aside from “defensive wins championships” — is from Bill Parcells.
At some point, Parcells said “You are what your record says you are,” and it stuck. Even he says he doesn’t remember exactly when or how he came up with it, it became one of the commandments of the NFL.
In the life of a football coach, it makes sense. Playoff berths are handed out on records, not on advanced stats, eye tests, injury excuses or anything else. And a coach’s record is what ultimately determines if he keeps his job another year.