College Football 2011: Nick Saban as the Fonz, and Other Coaches' Doppelgangers

Is it true that everyone has a person who looks exactly like them, a twin perhaps, living somewhere in the world?

This concept is often referred to as the "Doppelganger Effect," which is based on the theory that, though each of us are totally unique (with the exception of identical twins), in reality there are a limited number of physical traits to be combined, so they get repeated at some point.

The result is people, living or dead, who look very similar or identical to one another, though they are not genetically related.

Is it a factual concept?

Well, this is a football article. So instead of drawing up some scientific formulas and whipping out our slide rules to come up with a definitive answer, we’ll just do a slideshow with 20 college football coaches and their doppelganger twins.

We’re not sure why, but doesn’t he look just like that guy who played the dude who was the father of that man on the show...

Kirk Ferentz and Tom Brokaw

Tom Brokaw got his first television job at KTIV in Sioux City, Iowa, and Kirk Ferentz has led the Iowa Hawkeyes football program since 1999.

The two are trusty Midwesterners who you want to believe in, even though they are employed in occupations that make you wonder who you can trust anymore.

Brokaw is 15 years older than Ferentz, which makes you think you are looking into Kirk's future when you look at Tom; the only question is, will Kirk Ferentz have a national title in 15 years?

Brian Kelly and Lee Majors

Lee Majors went from The Big Valley to The Six Million Dollar Man.

Brian Kelly went from Grand Valley State to Notre Dame, where he could easily become the $6 million dollar man if he wins a BCS title in South Bend.

"Gentlemen, we can rebuild them. We have the technology. We have the capability to build the world's first bionic team. Notre Dame will be that team. Better than they were before. Better...stronger...faster."

Will Muschamp and Dan Akroyd

Really, I think it's all about the hair for these two guys. 

Additionally, both have played the "straight-man" to strong, goofy and explosive comedic partners; Akroyd had Belushi, and Muschamp had Mack Brown.

Tommy Tuberville and H. Ross Perot

Even though Perot is about 25 years older than Tuberville, the two were born only about 80 miles from one another; Tuberville in Camden, Ark., and Perot in Texarkana, Texas.

This leads you to believe that these guys just might be more than Doppelganger buddies; they could actually be related.

I can even see Tuberville running for president one day...

Howard Schnellenberger and Howard Keel

Howard Schnellenberger has been the head football coach at Florida Atlantic since 2001, but he is probably best known for winning a national championship at Miami (Fla.) in 1983.

Howard Keel starred in big movies such as Showboat and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, but he is probably best known for portraying Clayton Farlow on the blockbuster TV series Dallas.

Both these guys would look good in a Colonel Sanders outfit, and both would make a great match for Miss Ellie.

Chris Petersen and Rob Lowe

So, is Petersen part of the new college football "Brat Pack," which might include up-and-comers such as Al Golden, Todd Graham, Brady Hoke and Erin Andrews?

The other big question that begs to be asked: Is Chris Peterson smokin' hot, or is Rob Lowe aging?

Frank Beamer and Tom Bosley

Tom Bosley and Frank Beamer are both men you want to trust; father figures, teachers of life lessons, successful but not arrogant—the good guys.

Mr. C. and Mr. B., just doppelgangin'.

Mack Brown and Richard Nixon

Frankly, these two don't really look anything alike, but isn't it fun to put these two pictures together?

Really, really fun...

Mike Gundy and Ray Romano

I wonder what Mike Gundy's golf swing looks like and if he has any relatives in Italy?

It's the T. Boone Pickens Project with Mike Gundy; can their cash, good looks and coaching skills combine to win it all?

Brady Hoke and John Belushi

Bluto (Brady Hoke): Over? Did you say "over?" Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Spartans beat us seven times in a row?

Otter (Greg Mattison): [whispering] Spartans?

Boone (Al Borges): Forget it, he's rolling.

Bluto (Brady Hoke): And it ain't over now. 'Cause when the goin' gets tough... [thinks hard] the tough get goin'! Who's with me? Let's go! [runs out, alone; then returns]...

What the **** happened to the Michigan I used to know? Where's the spirit? Where's the guts, huh? "Ooh, we're afraid to go with you Brady, we might get in trouble." Well just kiss my *** from now on! Not me! I'm not gonna take this. Tressel, he's a goner! Bielema, gone! Niedermeyer....

Ken Niumatalolo and Philip Michael Thomas

Maybe Niumatalolo (aka "Tubbs") can pick up a "Crockett" next season, and the Midshipmen could shock the world by driving their Ferrari Daytona Spider to the BCS Orange Bowl...

I'm thinking Ken Niumatalolo would look pretty sweet in a white suit with a tight pastel-colored undershirt; throw in some neon, palm trees and shades, and we're "golden."

Mike Leach and Vince Gill

Mike Leach may be out of coaching (at least temporarily), but he still looks a lot like vocalist Vince Gill.

Rick Neuheisel, Ron Howard and Howdy Doody

This is the ultimate trifecta of doppelgangers; the UCLA coach, Opie Taylor and a marionette puppet.

Wow, that's good stuff.

Joe Paterno and Buddy Holly

The two pairs of glasses might be identical, the hair is close, but even JoePa has more meat on his bones than the crooner from Lubbock, Buddy Holly.

Speaking of Lubbock, remember the time Texas Tech lost to Penn State in Happy Valley by one point on a late field goal (1995, final score 24-23)?

Mark Richt and Luke Perry

It's Beverly Hills 90120 meets Athens 30602.

No matter who gets voted the real "steely-faced hot guy," Tori Spelling should be afraid—very afraid.

Ron Zook and Gary Cole

Maybe it's the facial structure, perhaps it's the eyes or it may be the mouth—any way you slice it, these guys look related.

Now, let's see Zook come out of the tunnel with a Mr. Brady perm and some snugly-fit 70's trousers, and it's on in Champaign.

Jim Tressel and Harry S. Truman

It's the 33rd president of the United States of America and the 22nd head football coach of Ohio State University.

We know the buck stopped with Truman, but when will it (or will it ever) stop with Jim Tressel?

Nick Saban and Arthur Fonzarelli

This makes sense on so many different levels, it's almost mentally delicious and painful.

Gary Patterson and Pete Rose

Will Pete Rose ever be inducted into the Hall of Fame, and will Gary Patterson and his Horned Frogs ever be invited to a BCS national championship game?

Though the latter seems more probable, let's hope that Patterson will never, ever contact Rose's barber when he's in town playing Cincinnati as a Big East member beginning in 2012.

Bobby Petrino and Les Miles

Hey Les and Bobby, is there something you're not telling us?