30 Best College Football Coaches of All-Time
By Hayden Hyde
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
16. Bill Snyder
- Career Record: 207-110-1
- Record at Each School: 207-110-1 at Kansas State.
- Bowl Record: 8-10
- Honors and Awards: Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2015. Two Big 12 Championships. 4-time Big 12 Coach of the Year, 3-time Big 8 Coach of the Year. 2011 Coach of the Year. Received the Paul “Bear” Bryant Award in 1998.
Bill Snyder is the longest-tenured coach in Kansas State history and he’s still coaching the Wildcats today at 76 years old.
Although he’s never won a national championship, Snyder consistently produced competitive teams at Kansas State. I liken Kansas State to a low-budget MLB team because Snyder is limited in what he can sell to recruits, but he makes up for it with smart coaching decisions and execution of details. There may not be a coach who gets more out of his players than Snyder.
In his two stints with Kansas State, Snyder has produced 35 first and second team All-Americans. He’s had three different players finish in the top-five of the Heisman voting. Snyder’s also produced some very good coaching talent in Bob Stoops, Bret Bielema, Mike Stoops, Mark Mangino, and Phil Bennett who all coached under Snyder at some point.
Snyder was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2015 and is the only active coach enshrined there as of 2017. His legacy at Kansas State is unlike any other, and I’m not sure there’s a nicer guy coaching college football today.
Next: Bo Schembechler
15. Bo Schembechler
- Career Record: 234-65-8
- Record at Each School: 40-17-3 at Miami (OH), 194-48-5 at Michigan.
- Bowl Record: 5-12
- Honors and Awards: Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1993. 6-time Big Ten Coach of the Year. 13 Big Ten Championships, 2 Mid-American Championships.
Bo Schembechler is one of the most iconic figures in all of college football. He helped mold Michigan into one of college football’s premiere programs. Schembechler was an incredible motivator and always got the most out of his players. He fits nearly every stereotype of what you’d think a football coach should be.
Although he has a rather lackluster bowl record (5-12), Schembechler was a pioneer for Michigan football. The Ohio State-Michigan rivalry was cemented as one of the greatest in all of sports during his tenure. He brought along a culture that would forever change the program. His slogan, “Those who stay will be champions!” is still remembered among Michigan fans.
Of course, it wouldn’t be fitting to talk about Coach Bo without sharing his legendary ”the team” speech. Be careful watching this video, you may end up running through the nearest brick wall.
Next: Barry Switzer