30 Best College Football Coaches of All-Time
By Hayden Hyde
24. John McKay
- Career Record: 127-40-8
- Record at Each School: 127-40-8 at USC.
- Bowl Record: 6-3
- Honors and Awards: Induced into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1988. 4 National Championships, 9 Pac-8 Championships. 2-time Coach of the Year.
As it turns out, a former Oregon running back is one of the greatest head coaches in USC’s history. John McKay took over the program after one season as an assistant coach, and oh, did the former tailback run with it.
During his only head coaching stint in college football, McKay reeled in four national championships and nine conference championships. His first two seasons with the Trojans were disappointing, recording a combined record of 8-11-1.
I’m sure he was facing pressure and was on the hot seat at that point, especially at USC. However, in 1962 McKay somehow went 11-0 and won his first national championship. That had to have calmed the qualms of USC’s elite.
O.J. Simpson developed and flourished under John McKay and became the 1st overall pick in the NFL Draft after winning the Heisman Trophy at USC.
McKay has a hefty resume, which is why he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1988.
Next: Ara Parseghian