By JOEY JOHNSTON

Tribune Sports Writer

(c) Tampa Bay Times. Originally published Jan. 23, 1984.

TAMPA — Tom Flores seems so out of place. Even though he guides a team of way-out whacks, you’d swear he reminds you of your Uncle Fred.

Easy-going. Understanding. Sensible.

And a winner.

Flores has been the Los Angeles Raiders’ head coach five years and all he has done is win two Super Bowls. The latest was Sunday’s most impressive 38-9 victory against the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XVIII at Tampa Stadium.

Isn’t it time for Flores, 45, to get some of the credit? Come on, coach. Tell the world you’re a genius.

“No, I never worry about that,’’ said Flores, refusing to bend. “You guys (reporters) write about that kind of stuff. I just coach.’’

Flores is happy in the background. But his organization will gladly detail his accomplishments, given the opportunity.

“Tom has earned the right to be called one of the great coaches of all time,’’ said Raiders owner Al Davis, who reveled in the post-game celebration. “People push other coaches for all these honors and Tom beats them all.’’

“Right now, he is the best coach in the NFL,’’ Raiders offensive tackle Henry Lawrence said. “He has been slighted. I sincerely believe that. People think he doesn’t do anything. That’s not true. He’s a perfect players’ coach. We respond to him. We have matured as a team and he has matured as a coach.’’

Flores didn’t begin his career with great ease. When John Madden decided he’d rather make Lite Beer commercials and draw on a chalkboard, Flores was given the job in 1979.

He went 9-7. The Raiders didn’t even make the playoffs. Some genius.

After the Raiders won Super Bowl XV against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1981, Flores was the coach, but Ted Hendricks and reborn Jim Plunkett were in the spotlight.

This Flores guy, well, he was only the coach — the babysitter — of this madhouse gang.

But now, it’s time to re-evaluate. Flores has been back to the Super Bowl. Once again, he won decisively.

Yes, Flores coaches the Raiders and he does it quite well.

“It’s up to me to make sure everything gets done,’’ Flores said. “If I’m screaming and yelling, it won’t get done.’’

So he’ll still stand on the sideline, emotionless. But he cares. And he’s very proud of what these players have accomplished.

“It’s very satisfying to dominate a game like we did today,’’ Flores said. “This is probably the most impressive performance any of my teams have had.

“The other Super Bowl (against Philadelphia) seems like so long ago. It was great to win that one, but perhaps this one is even better. We beat the defending champions, the best.’’

Now the Raiders — and Flores — have to be considered the best.