College football has seen many legendary head coaches who have left an indelible mark on the sport. These leaders have not only won (a lot), but they have shaped programs and contributed to the evolution of the game. Here’s our ranking of the 19 best college football head coaches of all time.
19. Jim Tressel
Before he led Ohio State to a national title in 2002, Jim Tressel built a dynasty at Youngstown State. Simply put his success and consistency make him one of the sport’s greats.
18. Steve Spurrier
Steve Spurrier revolutionized the SEC with his high-flying offenses at Florida, even winning a National Title in 1996. He also managed to revive struggling programs at Duke and South Carolina.
17. Bo Schembechler
Despite never winning a national championship, Bo Schembechler defined Michigan football with his 13 Big Ten titles.
16. Barry Switzer
Barry Switzer dominated the 1970s and 1980s with his wishbone offense at Oklahoma, even managing to win three national championships. There’s no question he made Oklahoma a perennial powerhouse.
15. Frank Leahy
Frank Leahy’s Notre Dame teams were dominant in the 1940s. Not only did he win four national titles, but he also had several undefeated seasons.
14. Bob Stoops
Bob Stoops brought Oklahoma back to prominence in the 2000s. He not only won a national title in 2000, but he also earned 10 Big 12 championships.
13. John McKay
John McKay’s innovative offenses and ability to develop talent propelled USC to dominance in the 1960s and 1970s. He also won a whopping four national titles.
12. Urban Meyer
Urban Meyer has been through his fair share of controversies, but there’s no question he’s one of the best college coaches ever. He won three national titles (two at Florida and one at Ohio State) and always knew how to adapt offensively.
11. Tom Osborne
Tom Osborne’s option-based offenses turned Nebraska into a juggernaut in the ‘90s. In fact, nothing shows off his abilities more than when Nebraska had back-to-back undefeated seasons.
10. Joe Paterno
The all-time leader in Division I wins, Joe Paterno’s impact on Penn State is simply unmatched. While his exit from the team was full of controversy, he was clearly one of the most successful coaches of all time.
9. Knute Rockne
Knute Rockne was a pioneer of coaching, as he popularized Notre Dame football with his strategic brilliance and inspirational leadership. Winning three national titles, he became a symbol of college football excellence.
8. Bud Wilkinson
Bud Wilkinson’s Sooners won 47 consecutive games, a record that still stands, and helped cement Oklahoma’s legacy as a college football powerhouse. Oh, and he also won three national titles.
7. Woody Hayes
Woody Hayes’ fiery personality and smash-mouth football philosophy led Ohio State to unparalleled success, including 13 Big Ten championships and five national titles.
6. Bobby Bowden
Bobby Bowden built Florida State into a dynasty, with 14 straight top-five finishes and two national titles.
5. Eddie Robinson
The winningest coach in college football history for decades, Eddie Robinson built Grambling State into an HBCU powerhouse. In fact, he managed to send over 200 players to the NFL.
4. Paul “Bear” Bryant
Paul Bryant’s legendary career included six national titles and an enduring legacy at Alabama. Simply put, his name remains synonymous with college football greatness.
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3. Fielding Yost
Fielding Yost’s “Point-a-Minute” teams at Michigan revolutionized the game of football. Not to mention, he also managed to win four consecutive national titles from 1901 to 1904.
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2. Amos Alonzo Stagg
Amos Stagg’s contributions to the game go far beyond wins, as he introduced innovations like the huddle, lateral pass, and the tackling dummy. There’s no question his influence is felt across all levels of football.
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1. Nick Saban
Nick Saban is the undisputed greatest college football coach of all time. Winning seven national championships, Saban built a dynasty at Alabama and had great success at LSU. His attention to detail, relentless preparation, and success on the biggest stages set him apart from every other coach in college football history.
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