College Football: The 10 Best First-Year Coaching Performances in History

Some of college football’s coaching legends had rough first years.

Bobby Bowden went 5-6 in his first season at Florida State. Joe Paterno went 5-5 in 1966 at Penn State. And Frank Beamer won only two games in his first year at Virginia Tech.

Those three coaches recovered just fine—even though it took Beamer longer than the rest.

Then there are those coaches who almost achieved too much, too early.

Here are 10 of the best ever first seasons.

10. Jimbo Fisher, Florida State (2011)

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Jimbo Fisher of the Florida State Seminoles sideline reacts after their 26-17 win over the South Carolina Gamecocks during the 2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl at Georgia Dome on December 31, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo b

Jimbo Fisher’s first season at FSU wasn’t legendary, but going 10-4 after replacing a legend is still pretty special.

The Seminoles had fallen off a bit in Bobby Bowden’s later years, so Fisher’s performance is highlighted as a huge success.

It seems all FSU needed was a new perspective and all was well again in Tallahassee.

Of course, Fisher is also doing an amazing job of recruiting so how long will it take until the Noles are a serious contender again?

9. Tom Osborne, Nebraska (1973)

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31 Oct 1998: Former head coach Tom Osborne of the Nebraska Cornhuskers waves to the crowd during the game against the Texas Longhorns at the Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Longhorns defeated the Cornhuskers 20-16. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr

Tom Osborne had taken over for another legend, Bob Devaney, and answered the call right away.

The Cornhuskers went 9-2-1 and finished seventh in the nation in Osborne’s first season.

Nebraska reached No. 2 in the rankings when it was upset at Missouri 13-12. Osborne’s team also tied Oklahoma State and were thumped by rival Oklahoma.

Osborne rallied his team for a big 19-3 win over Texas in the Cotton Bowl.

8. Robert Neyland, Tennessee (1926)

Hey, Tennessee named the stadium after this guy.

He started off his tenure by going 8-1. The lone loss was to Vanderbilt 20-3.

In 2011, it would seem odd for the Volunteers to lose to Vandy, but in 1926, the Commodores were among the nation’s elite.

Neyland went on to win 173 games and four national championships at Tennessee.

7. Ara Parseghian, Notre Dame (1964)

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EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 23: Ara Parseghian watches from the sidelines as the Michigan State Spartans take on the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 23, 2010 in Evanston, Illinois. Michigan State defeated Northwestern 35-27. (Photo by Jonathan D

Ara Parseghian is Notre Dame royalty, and it began with a 9-1 first season in 1964.

Just one season after the Irish went 2-7 under Hugh Devore, Parseghian returned Notre Dame to glory.

Parseghian’s only loss in his first year in South Bend was on the road at USC (20-17).

Despite the great season, Notre Dame did not play in a bowl game because the Irish didn’t play in them at that time.

6. Barry Switzer, Oklahoma (1973)

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24 SEP 1988: UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA FOOTBALL COACH BARRY SWITZER LEADS HIS TEAM ON THE FIELD BEFORE THE SOONERS 23-7 LOSS TO THE USC TROJANS. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn/ALLSPORT

Barry Switzer began his run at Oklahoma the same season Tom Osborne started at Nebraska.

Switzer had the better start as the Sooners went 10-0-1 and finished third in the nation.

The lone blemish on the record was a 7-7 tie against USC.

Switzer took over a juggernaut that was left behind by Chuck Fairbanks, but Switzer proved to be one of college football’s greatest coaches.

5. Frank Leahy, Notre Dame (1941)

If you get the Notre Dame coaching gig, it seems many of them do well in their first season.

Frank Leahy is no different. He went 8-0-1 in 1941 as Notre Dame finished third in the final rankings.

Leahy went on to win four national championships and he coached four Heisman winners—Angelo Bertelli (1943), Johnny Lujack (1947), Leon Hart (1949) and Johnny Lattner (1953).

4. Pop Warner, Pittsburgh (1915)

Now Pop Warner had been coaching college football since 1895, but his first season at Pittsburgh in 1915 still earns the legendary coach a spot in the Top 10.

The Panthers went 8-0 and were crowned national champs.

He went on to win two more titles at Pitt and another at Stanford. In all he coached 44 season and won 319 games.

3. Walter Camp, Yale (1888)

Walter Camp’s five-year run at Yale is impeccable.

He began his coaching career by going 13-0 and earning a national championship in 1888.

The Bulldogs didn’t give up a single point all season and even scored 65 points or more six times.

He also claimed championship in 1891 and 1892 before leaving for Stanford.

2. Fielding Yost, Michigan (1901)

In Fielding Yost’s first four seasons in Ann Arbor, he guided the Wolverines to national championships.

In 1901, Michigan went 11-0, won the Rose Bowl and shared the title after outscoring its opponents 550-0.

The closest game was a 21-0 win over rival Ohio State.

Yost went 165-29-10 in 25 seasons at Michigan.

1. Larry Coker, Miami (2001)

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MIAMI - NOVEMBER 23: Head coach Larry Coker of the University of Miami Hurricanes walks on the field during the game against the Boston College Golden Eagles at the Orange Bowl Stadium on November 23, 2006 in Miami, Florida. Miami defeated Boston College

Larry Coker is so out of place on this list he had to be first after going 12-0 in 2001 and winning the BCS Championship in his inaugural season with the Hurricanes.

Of course, Butch Davis left him about 50 first-round talents and a gutsy Ken Dorsey at quarterback.

Still, Coker had to make sure everyone stayed out of trouble and he didn’t get in the way.

Miami almost won a second crown in 2002.

But Coker couldn’t keep the magic going and he was forced out after going 7-6 in 2005.