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Michigan Football: Top 10 greatest coaches in program history

By Quinn Douglas

University of Michigan's head coach Lloyd Carr wonders what is going on during his teams loss to Ohio State University at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan on November 19, 2005. Ohio State won the game 25-21. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
University of Michigan's head coach Lloyd Carr wonders what is going on during his teams loss to Ohio State University at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan on November 19, 2005. Ohio State won the game 25-21. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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2. Bo Schembechler: 1969-1989

  • Career Record: 194-48-5
  • Awards and Accolades: 1969, ’71-’74, ’76-’78, ’80, ’82, ’86, ’88, ’89 Big Ten Champions, 1969 AFCA Coach of the Year, 1969 Walter Camp Coach of the Year, 1977 Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year, 1989 George Munger Award

This will come as a surprise to some, but Bo Schembechler comes in at number two on the list. However, there is no denying how instrumental he was in the program’s history. Schembechler played at Miami of Ohio under Sid Gillman and future rival Woody Hayes. After his graduation, he joined Hayes as an assistant at Ohio State in 1952, which was then followed by stops at Presbyterian, Bowling Green and Northwestern before returning to Ohio State in 1958. He was then hired as head coach of his alma mater Miami and remained there for six years until Michigan came calling.

When Schembechler arrived at Ann Arbor in 1969, Michigan’s program was in a prolonged slump, having only won one Big Ten title since 1950. That changed in his first season as the Wolverines won the Big Ten following their historic upset of then-number one Ohio State. Michigan would win 12 more Big Ten Championships in Schembechler’s tenure. During his stay, Schembechler changed the culture of the Michigan program, including hanging the legendary sign that states “Those who stay will be champions”.

Schembechler stepped down as head coach following the 1989 season to focus on his career as athletic director. He would go on to be President of the Detroit Tigers for three years before reconnecting with the university and remaining active in the football program. Schembechler died on Nov. 17, 2006, the day before the first ever No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup in Michigan-Ohio State history.

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