The Five Greatest Dynasties In College Football

This is not a list of all time greatest coaches of all time, even though this list is a who's who among Football legends; instead this list is of coaches who created the greatest dynasty's in the post WWII era.

A dynasty is when a team under a coach’s leadership have achieved the highest level of success and been able to sustain that success for extended periods of time. This success is measured in wins, championships, National prominence, constancy, and duration.

For example Urban Myer is in the beginning of a dynasty in Florida but he is not on the list because his dynasty has not been in power for a long enough duration. On the other hand Joe Paterno is the win ingests coach of all time, but his teams have not been consistent enough over his 30+ year tenure.

I am sure that some out there will argue that some coach should be on here, a coach should not, one should be higher, or one should be lower but what no one can argue is that this man created a dynasty during their reign of college football.

Please feel free to let me know if you agree/disagree, who you think is the best dynasty, or if you just like it.

6. John McKay

From 1960-1975 John McKay created a National Power in Los Angles California. His teams may not have been completely consistent during the time frame but from 1962-1974 he won four National Titles and nine conference championships.

Also during this time frame Coach McKay's Trojans went 111-25-7. That is almost 10 wins a season in period where 10-12 games total were the norm.

John was Pete Caroll before Pete was. He brought in talent and won making USC a national name and more importantly a national power. Most importantly his team destroying Alabama caused the South to integrate football.

5. Bobby Bowden

If Bobby could have recruited a more consistent kicker, he would be number one on this list. Coach Bowden did not just create a dynasty in Tallahassee he gave birth to an entire era of dominance in the state of Florida.

From 1987-2005 his teams won two National Titles, 12 Conference Championships, had 14 consecutive Top 5 final rankings, 19 consecutive top 25 finishes, and 196-39-1.

Even more impressive than the man’s record is the man himself. He could recruit like no other. Parents loved and trusted him, and he became a father figure to hundreds of young men who needed a good male role model.

I could write a 5,000 page book and not begin to touch the legacy of this man and what he did in not only Tallahassee but the college football world. In full disclosure, I do not like Florida St but Bobby Bowden is on the short list of my favorite coaches of all time.

4. Woody Hayes

Woody Hayes was a mean spirited ruthless dictator, but from 1954-1977 his teams were a force to be reckoned with. He is the most inconsistent of all the coaches on list having two losing seasons during his dynasty, but he also had three National Titles and 13 Big Ten championships.

He also coached the only two time Heisman trophy winner in college football history. He will however forever be remembered for striking a player in the 1978 Gator Bowl. Coach Hayes was a great motivator and knew what it took to win and to be a champion.

3. Barry Switzer

From 1973-1988, the Oklahoma Sooners won three National Titles, 12 Conference Championships, Finished in the Top 25 15 times, won eight Bowl games, went 21-10-2 against rivals Nebraska and Texas, and had a record of 157-29-4 over all with a conference record of 100-11-1.

Keeping in mind that Barry inherited a giant program from the sudden death of Jim Mackenzie, he still managed to create the most dominant dynasty Oklahoma has ever seen.

He was goofy and controversial at times but he was an excellent evaluator of talent. A brilliant game manager, and one of the greatest coaches of all time. His reign at Oklahoma ended in controversy and sanctions, but he proved he could recover win he became one of only two coaches to win a Super Bowl and a college National Title.

1. Paul W. Bryant

The Bear is synonymous with not only Alabama, but Southern Football and the entire College Football world. Arguably the greatest coach to walk a sideline and in his own words, “I ain't never been nothing but a winner."

From 1960-1981, Bryant's teams at Alabama won six National Titles, 14 Conference Championships, had 19 Top 25 finishes, 18 Top 10 Finishes including 11 consecutive, 13 Top 5 finishes, had 3 unanimous Ap & Coaches poll Titles, and a record of 212-36-6.

In short Bryant's 21 year reign in Tuscaloosa was quite possibly the most incredible dynasty in football history. The man is a legend in Tuscaloosa and next to Jesus is the most talked about figure on weekends in Alabama. There are streets, museums, halls, buildings, and even a stadium named after him.

He coached kids and turned them into men. He is loved revered and respected by those who knew him, he is half man half deity to those who did not, and his most prized accomplishment is that he is absolutely despised and hated by the folks in Tennessee and that "Cow College."

Just missed the cut

Pete Caroll was a master big game coach and recruiter in USC, but it could be argued that he never surpassed John McKay and for that he was left of the list.

Joe Paterno is by far one of the greatest coaches to ever walk a sideline and he is an even better man but his teams fell into mediocrity far too many times. Even though he has had numerous undefeated teams his lack of National Titles keep him off this list.

Urban Myer has not been in Florida long enough to have surpassed any one on this list, in the end he may be number one but as of now he is not quite there.

Steve Spurrier did not win enough national titles to be here had he stayed in Gainesville he may have been number one as well, but he left and is not creating a dynasty in South Carolina.

Nick Saban may be on this list one day but he has moved around to many times to have a dynasty yet.

Tom Osbourne was one of the best coaches of all time and had he been luckier or had he been better against his major rivals he may have been number one.(I originaly left Tom out by accident and it was really just an editing mishap. Once again I am sorry)

So there is the list I hope you enjoyed and let me know who you think is number one.

The Real #2 Bud Wilikinson

In my original article I left off Bud Wilkinson because I thought that his era of dominance was in the 40's and not post WWII. Since I was corrected and I have to admit that I made a really dumb mistake not double checking. Here is the real #2 Dynasty of all time.

Bud Wilkinson owns the record for most wins in a row with 47. In short he was absolutely dominant in his day. His teams at Oklahoma from 1947-1963 won 3 national Titles, 14 conference championships, and amassed a record of 145-29-4. Not mention going to 10 bowl games when was really a reward for a good season and going 8-2 in bowl games.

In short he is one of the greatest coaches to ever grace a football field and I am truly sorry for my mistake in leaving him off the list.