Long-term success as a college football coach is rare, but long-term success as a college football coach at the same school is even rarer. Writer Brett McMurphy recently compiled a list of the coaches with the most consecutive winning seasons at the same school.
Two of the coaches on the list have an active streak. Those coaches are Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy and Alabama’s Nick Saban, who have had 18 and 17 straight winning seasons, respectively.
It should not be a surprise that former Nebraska head coach and College Football Hall of Famer Tom Osborne is also on the list. In fact, Osborne had a winning season in each year of his head coaching career. He averaged 10 wins a year over his 25-year coaching career.
Find the entire list of coaches below.
16 Seasons - Barry Switzer, Oklahoma (1973-88)
Nov. 27, 1982; Lincoln, Nebraska; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Barry Switzer leads his team on the field against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium. Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
16 Seasons - Don James, Washington (1977-92)
Oct. 31, 1992; Seattle, Washington; Washington Huskies head coach Don James on the field prior to the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Husky Stadium. USA TODAY Sports
17 Seasons - Nick Saban, Alabama (2007-23)
Jan. 11, 2016; Glendale, Arizona; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban waves during the trophy ceremony after the game against the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Alabama won 45-40. Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
18 Seasons - Fielding Yost, Michigan (1901-18)
Nov. 18, 2017; Madison, Wisconsin; An Michigan Wolverines helmet during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
18 Seasons - Bob Stoops, Oklahoma (1999-2016)
A close up of Head Coach Bob Stoops of the Oklahoma Sooners as he talks with Head Coach Frank Solick of the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the game at the Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma, on Oct. 28, 2000. The Sooners defeated the Cornhuskers 31-14. Brian Bahr /Allsport
18 Seasons - Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State (2006-23)
OSU coach Mike Gundy was pleased with the growth of his healthy offensive linemen during the spring.
19 Seasons - Darrell Royal, Texas (1957-75)
Oct. 1, 1971; Dallas, Texas; Texas Longhorns head coach Darrell Royal (right) talks to Donnie Wigginton (18) on the sideline during the 1971 season. Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
19 Seasons - Lavell Edwards, BYU (1974-92)
Sept. 15, 2018; Madison, Wisconsin; A BYU Cougars helmet sits on the sidelines during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
21 Seasons - Joe Paterno, Penn St (1967-87)
Penn State Coach Joe Paterno talks with wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez before the start of the game. The Wisconsin Badgers beat the Penn State Nittney Lions, 18-6, before 105,000 fans at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2001. Journal Sentinel Photo by RICK WOOD
23 Seasons - Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech (1993-2015)
Dec. 4, 2021; Charlotte, North Carolina; Virgina Tech Hokies former head coach Frank Beamer is honored before the ACC championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
25 Seasons - Tom Osborne, Nebraska (1973-97)
Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Tom Osborne on the sidelines during the 1986 season. Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
25 Seasons - Bear Bryant, Alabama (1958-82)
The Bear Bryant statue on the Walk of Champions outside Bryant-Denny Stadium is seen Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018. Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.
33 Seasons - Bobby Bowden, FSU (1977-2009)
FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES HEAD COACH COACH BOBBY BOWDEN IS ESCORTED OFF THE FIELD AFTER HIS TEAM DEFEATED NEBRASKA, 18-16 IN THE 1994 ORANGE BOWL IN MIAMI, FLORIDA.
Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.
Dan Wetzel, Ross Dellenger & SI’s Pat Forde react to the huge performance this weekend by Texas QB Arch Manning, Michigan and Notre Dame's spring games, Jaden Rashada entering the transfer portal, and more
On today's show, Dan Wetzel, Ross Dellenger and SI's Pat Forde talk college athletics revenue sharing, Brian Kelly complaining about not wanting to pay players, which teams are struggling to recruit, the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl, and a psychedelic commencement speaker.
Starting pitchers in fantasy football have been compared to running backs in fantasy baseball — but have we made an error in not prioritizing relief pitchers more? Scott Pianowski investigates.
We are just one week away from all the projections, rumors and lies from being put to rest. The Draft is almost there. We put a bow on our 'Draft Deep Dive' series with Yahoo's draft guru Charles McDonald by looking at the top TE and OL prospects in this year's draft.
Dan Wetzel, Ross Dellenger, and SI's Pad Forde project if the Big Ten overtake the SEC, UCLA owing Cal money, Julian Lewis visiting Indiana, and a lawsuit against Cold Stone Creamery.
