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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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7. Harry Kipke: 1929-1937

  • Career Record: 46-26-4
  • Awards and Accolades: 1930-’33 Big Ten Champions, 1932 & ’33 National Championship

The next coach is a man whose name is remembered by the street that passes by Michigan Stadium. Harry Kipke was a star halfback for Fielding H. Yost’s Wolverines from 1920 to 1923, leading Michigan to a national championship in 1923. Following graduation, he spent four years as an assistant for Mizzou before returning to Michigan to coach Michigan State. In his one season in East Lansing, he finished with a 3-4-1 record before his alma mater came calling in 1929.

His first season at Michigan was a bit rough, finishing 5-3-1, but only going 1-3-1 in the Big Ten. However, over the next four years, Michigan would have a record of 33-1-3, winning four consecutive Big Ten Championships and back-to-back national championships in 1932 and 1933. His final four years were not as impressive unfortunately, trading off between 4-4 and 1-7 before retiring following the 1937 season.

After his retirement, Kipke became a member of the Michigan Board of Regents for seven years, joined the U.S. Navy and became the president of the Coca-Cola Company of Chicago.

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