15 Best Coaches in Big East History

By
Chris Humphrey
(Featured Columnist) on January 25, 2011

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MORGANTOWN, WV - DECEMBER 2: Head coach Rich Rodriguez of the Virginia Mountaineers watches the action from the sidelines during the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Milan Puskar Stadium December 2, 2006 in Morgantown, West Virginia. Mountainee
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Since the inception of the football portion of the Big East, the league has been on top of the college football world as well as being pushed back into the pack with the underperforming conferences in certain years.

Throughout the years, the programs in the league have had some of the best college football coaches as they captured conference titles leading to berths to the major bowl games in addition to National Championship games.

From the likes of Hall of Fame coach Don Nehlen to the new-school style of Brian Kelly and Rich Rodriguez, the Big East has had it all in a very diverse collection of leaders since football was added in 1991.

With that being said, let’s get to the list of the best men to wear the headsets in the Big East over the last two decades.

 

This article and others like it can be found on SportsHaze.com.

Tom O'Brien, Boston College Eagles

CHESTNUT HILL, MA - NOVEMBER 18: Head coach Tom O'Brien of the Boston College Eagles looks on from the sideline in the second half against the Maryland Terrapins on November 18, 2006 at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Boston College defea
Elsa/Getty Images

Career Record: 100-70 (1997-Present)

 

Big East Record: 75-45 (1997-2006)

 

Championships: One (2004)

 

Accomplishments:

-         Five Straight Bowl Game Wins from 2000-2004

-         Two Nine-Win Seasons

Brian Kelly, Cincinnati Bearcats

CINCINNATI - NOVEMBER 13: Head coach Brian Kelly of the the Cincinnati Bearcats walks on the field during warm ups before the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Nippert Stadium on November 13, 2009 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/G
Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Career Record: 179-62-2 (1991-Present)

 

Big East Record: 34-6 (2006-2009) (.850 Win Percentage)

 

Championships: Two (2008, 2009)

 

Accomplishments:

-         Home Depot Coach of the Year (2009)

-         Three-Time Big East Coach of the Year (2007-2009)

Randy Edsall, Connecticut Huskies

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: Head coach Randy Edall of the Connecticut Huskies reacts while taking on the Oklahoma Sooners during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald Mart
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Career Record: 74-70 (1999-Present)

 

Big East Record: 74-70 (1999-2010)

 

Championships: Two (2007, 2010)

 

Accomplishments:

-         Big East Coach of the Year (2010)

Bobby Petrino, Louisville Cardinals

LOUISVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 14: Bobby Petrino, the Head Coach of the Louisville Cardinals, is pictured during the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats on October 14, 2006 at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville won 23-17. (Pho
Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Career Record: 64-24 (2003-2006, 2008-Present)

 

Big East Record: 41-9 (2003-2006) (.820 Win Percentage)

 

Championships: One (2006)

 

Accomplishments:

- 2007 Orange Bowl Champion

Dennis Erickson, Miami Hurricanes

SEPTEMBER 9: Head Coach Dennis Erickson of the University of Miami Hurricanes instructs from the sidelines during a game against University of Wisconsin Badgers on September 9, 1989. Miami won 51-3. (Photo by: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Career Record: 173-89-1 (1982-Present)

 

Big East Record: 63-9 (1989-1994) (.875 Win Percentage)

 

Championships: National Championship (1991), Big East (1992, 1994)

 

Accomplishments:

-         Sporting News Coach of the Year (1992)

-         Two National Championships (1989,1991)

Butch Davis, Miami Hurricanes

28 Oct 1995: Head coach Butch Davis of the Miami Hurricanes stands on the field amongst his players as he observes pre game warm ups before the Hurricanes 36-12 victory over the Temple Owls at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida.
Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Career Record: 79-43 (1995-2000, 2007-Present)

 

Big East Record: 51-20 (1995-2000) (.718 Win Percentage)

 

Championships: Big East (1995-1996, 2000)

 

Accomplishments:

-         11-Win Season in 2000

-         Three Nine-Win Seasons in 1996, 1998-1999

Larry Coker, Miami Hurricanes

XXXXXXX of the Boston College Golden Eagles XXXXXX of the University of Miami Hurricanes at the Orange Bowl Stadium on November 23, 2006 in Miami, Florida.
Doug Benc/Getty Images

Career Record: 60-15 (2001-2006, 2009-Present)

 

Big East Record: 60-15 (2001-2006) (.800 Win Percentage)

 

Championships: National Championship (2001), Big East (2001-2003)

 

Accomplishments:

-         AFCA Coach of the Year (2001)

-         Bear Bryant Award (2001)

-         Big East Coach of the Year (2001-2002

Walt Harris, Pittsburgh Panthers

TEMPE, AZ - JANUARY 1: Pittsburgh head coach, Walt Harris, yells to his team from the sidelines during the Tostito's Fiesta Bowl against Utah at the Sun Devil Stadium on January 1, 2005 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images).
Jeff Gross/Getty Images

Career Record: 69-85 (1989-1991, 1997-2006)

 

Big East Record: 52-44 (1997-2004) (.541 Win Percentage)

 

Championships: Big East (2004)

 

Accomplishments:

-         Big East Coach of the Year (1997, 2004)

-         Region 1 Coach of the Year (2002)

Dave Wannstedt, Pittsburgh Panthers

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 26: Head coach Dave Wannstedt of the Pittsburgh Panthers walks around before the start of their game against the North Carolina Tar Heels on December 26, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Career Record: 42-31(2005-2010)

 

Big East Record: 42-31 (2005-2010) (.573 Win Percentage)

 

Championships: Big East (2010)

 

Accomplishments:

-         Ten-Win Season in 2009

Jim Leavitt, South Florida Bulls

PISCATAWAY, NJ - NOVEMBER 12: Head coach Jim Leavitt of the South Florida Bulls looks on against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Rutgers Stadium on November 12, 2009 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Rutgers won the game 31-0. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Overall Record: 94-57 (1997-2009) (.622 Win Percentage)

 

Big East Record: 94-57 (1997-2009)

 

Championships: No Conference Titles

 

Accomplishments:

-         First Head Coach for the South Florida Bulls

-         Ranked No. 2 in the BCS Polls in October 2007

Paul Pasqualoni, Syracuse Orange

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - SEPTEMBER 25: Head coach Paul Pasqualoni of the Syracuse Orangemen directs his team against the Virginia Cavaliers as the Cavaliers defeated the Orangemen 31-10 at Scott Stadium on September 25, 2004 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (P
Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Overall Record: 141-76-1 (1982-1986, 1991-2004)

 

Big East Record: 107-59-1 (1991-2004) (.640 Win Percentage)

 

Championships: Big East (1996-1998, 2004)

 

Accomplishments:

-         ECAC Coach of the Year, Div. I-A (1992, 1995)

-         ECAC/Vince Lombardi Foundation Coach of the Year (1996)

-         Three 10-Win Seasons

Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech Hokies

ATLANTA - DECEMBER 31: Virginia Tech Hokies head coach Frank Beamer watches warmups on the field before the Chick-Fil-A Bowl against the Tennessee Volunteers at the Georgia Dome on December 31, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. Virginia Tech beat Tennessee 37-1
Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images

Overall Record: 198-95-2 (1987-Present) (.671 Win Percentage)

 

Big East Record: 56-26 (1991-2003)

 

Championships: Big East (1995-1996, 1999)

 

Accomplishments:

-         AFCA Coach of the Year (1999)

-         AP Coach of the Year (1999)

-         Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year (1999)

-         Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year (1999)

-         George Munger Coach of the Year (1999)

-         Bear Bryant Award (1999)

-         Walter Camp Coach of the Year (1999)

Don Nehlen, West Virginia Mountaineers

24 Oct 1998: A portrait of head coach Don Nehlen of the West Virginia Mountaineers as he watches the field during the game against the Miami Hurricanes at Mountaineer Field in Morgan Filed, West Virginia. Miami defeated W. Virginia 34-31. Mandatory Credit
Rick Stewart/Getty Images

Overall Record: 202-128-2 (1968-2000) (.608 Win Percentage)

 

Big East Record: 149-93-4 (1991-2000)

 

Championships: Big East (1993)

 

Accomplishments:

-         College Football Hall of Fame

-         Undefeated 1993 Regular Season

-         Big East Coach of the Year (1993)

-         Kodak Coach of the Year (1993)

-         Woody Hayes Trophy (1993)

Rich Rodriguez, West Virginia Mountaineers

TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 28: Coach Rich Rodriguez of the West Virginia Mountaineers walks the sidelines during his teams 21-13 loss against the University of South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium September 28, 2007 in Tampa Florida. (Photo by Marc S
Marc Serota/Getty Images

Overall Record: 120-84-2 (1988, 1990-1996, 2001-2010)

 

Big East Record: 60-26 (2001-2007) (.697 Win Percentage)

 

Championships: Big East (2003-2005, 2007)

 

Accomplishments:

-         Big East Coach of the Year (2003, 2005)

-         Three Straight 10-Win Seasons (2005-2007)

Bill Stewart, West Virginia Mountaineers

JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 01: Head coach Bill Stewart of the West Virginia Mountaineers watches his team take on the Florida State Seminoles during the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl on January 1, 2010 at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium in Jacksonville, Flori
Doug Benc/Getty Images

Overall Record: 36-37 (1994-1996, 2007-Present)

 

Big East Record: 28-12 (2007-Present) (.700 Win Percentage)

 

Championships: Big East (2010)

 

Accomplishments:

-         2008 Fiesta Bowl Champions

-         Three Straight Nine-Win Seasons

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