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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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8. Gustave Ferbert: 1897-1899

  • Career Record: 24-3-1
  • Awards and Accolades: 1898 Western Conference Champions

Gustave Ferbert is likely a name many Michigan fans haven’t heard of up until now, but he did play an important role in the building of the program. Ferbert was a star running back for the Wolverines from 1893-1896 and took the head coaching job soon following his graduation.

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In his first season in 1897, Ferbert’s Wolverines finished 6-1-1 and more notably, marked the first meeting between Ohio State and Michigan, which Michigan won 34-0.

Ferbert’s best year as head coach came in 1898, when the Wolverines ended the year with an undefeated record at 10-0. It was also the first conference championship in program history as they won the then Western Conference with a 3-0 record. It was during this season that Michigan was deemed “The Champions of the West”, a memorable line in “Hail to the Victors.”

Ferbert coached one more season in 1899, finishing 8-2 before leaving Michigan for the booming gold mining industry in Alaska.

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