College Football: 10 Successful coaches who would flop in the NFL
Nov 22, 2014; South Bend, IN, USA; Louisville Cardinals head coach Bobby Petrino and Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly chat before the game at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
A college football coach is a special breed, and even when a coach has success at the college level it doesn’t mean they would also be a great NFL coach.
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Steve Spurrier is one of the most successful and revered coaches in college football. Even when his teams aren’t winning championships, opponents still fear the Spurrier-factor. But his brief stint in the NFL as head coach of the Washington Redskins (2002-2003) is a prime example of how winning in college doesn’t always translate to the same result in the NFL.
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Spurrier isn’t the only top college coach whose style and personality didn’t seem to float in the professional ranks. Alabama’s Nick Saban found life with the Miami Dolphins to be a much different kettle of fish than his proven success in college coaching.
There are stories of crossover success, such as Pete Carroll, who has won championships in both college football and the NFL, but those stories are more the exception than the rule. Generally you end up with more tales resembling those of Bobby Petrino and Jim L. Mora.
Dealing with college kids takes patience, a stern demeanor, and becoming almost a father figure to young men that are just starting out in their adult lives. The NFL is filled with diva receivers, prima donna quarterbacks and guys who are being paid millions of dollars to suit up on Sundays. They don’t want babysitters (although it’s obvious that some need it).
Here are ten very successful college coaches who would probably flop with a resounding thud if they attempted to move to the NFL.
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