The Most Famous College Football Coach: A Ranking of Legendary Figures

Voting rules: Choose the Coach you think is the most famous!

Updated on Oct 3, 2023 10:52

Welcome to StrawPoll, the ultimate hub for passionate sports enthusiasts and opinion-sharers! We invite you to dive into one of our most exciting rankings yet: "Who is the most famous college football coach?" This is your chance to make your voice heard and show your support for your favorite coaching legend. From master strategists to inspiring motivators, we've got the top names in college football history lined up for your vote. But hey, if you think we've missed someone, don't hold back – suggest your pick and let the world know about the coaching icon that deserves a spot on our list. So, get ready to tackle this thrilling showdown and cast your vote now – because every opinion counts, and yours could be the game-changer!

Who Is the Most Famous College Football Coach? (October 2023)

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60
votes
Beasley Allen Law Firm · CC BY 2.0

Nick Saban

He is widely considered the greatest college football coach of all time, having won six national championships and numerous conference championships. He is currently the head coach at the University of Alabama.
Nick Saban in other rankings
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous person named Nick
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous college coach
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous actor from West Virginia
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35
votes
Photographer: Malcolm W. Emmons Scanning auction house: Heritage Auctions · Public domain

Bear Bryant

Widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in college football history, Bear Bryant won six national championships during his tenure as head coach at the University of Alabama. He is also known for his legendary coaching career at Texas A&M and the University of Kentucky.
Bear Bryant in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous Alabama football player
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous college coach
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous coach
- Position 8 of 10 in Most successful coaches of all time
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20
votes
Ohio State University (Photographer not identified) · Public domain

Woody Hayes

As the head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes from 1951 to 1978, Woody Hayes won five national championships and 13 Big Ten Conference championships. He is known for his fiery temper and his innovative offensive and defensive strategies.
Woody Hayes in other rankings
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous person from Columbus, Ohio
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17
votes
Joe Paterno

Joe Paterno was the head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions for 46 years, during which time he won two national championships and 24 bowl games. He is known for his commitment to academics and his emphasis on character and ethics.
Joe Paterno in other rankings
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous college coach
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8
votes
John Rampsott · CC BY 2.0

Bobby Bowden

Bobby Bowden is the winningest coach in NCAA Division I football history, with 377 career wins. He led the Florida State Seminoles to two national championships and 12 ACC championships during his tenure as head coach.
Bobby Bowden in other rankings
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous coach
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9
votes
Thomas Matty, United States Army · Public domain

Urban Meyer

Urban Meyer is known for his success as the head coach of multiple college football teams, including the Florida Gators and the Ohio State Buckeyes. He has won three national championships and numerous conference championships, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest college football coaches of all time.
Urban Meyer in other rankings
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous Florida Gator
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6
votes
Jeff Kern · CC BY 2.0

Steve Spurrier

Steve Spurrier is best known for his tenure as head coach of the Florida Gators, during which he won six SEC championships and a national championship. He also had successful coaching stints at Duke and South Carolina.
Steve Spurrier in other rankings
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous Florida Gator
8

8
votes
Lou Holtz

Lou Holtz is best known for his coaching career at Notre Dame, where he won a national championship and several conference championships. He also had successful coaching stints at the University of Minnesota and the University of South Carolina.
Lou Holtz in other rankings
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous coach of Notre Dame
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous Notre Dame alumnus
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous college coach
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous Notre Dame football player
9

16
votes

US Congress; · Public domain

Tom Osborne

Tom Osborne led the Nebraska Cornhuskers to three national championships and 13 conference championships during his tenure as head coach. He is known for his innovative offensive strategies and his emphasis on discipline and character.
10

3
votes

Paul "Bear" Dietzel

Paul "Bear" Dietzel is best known for his coaching career at Louisiana State University, where he led the Tigers to their first national championship in 1958. He also had successful coaching stints at Army and South Carolina.

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Ranking factors for famous college football coach

Coaching Record

The number of wins, losses, championships, and overall success of a coach's career.
Impact on the Sport

The coach's contribution to the advancement of college football, such as implementing new ways of coaching or developing new strategies.
Longevity

The length of the coach's career and their ability to maintain success over an extended period.
Popularity

The coach's personality and public image can also play a role in their fame and popularity.
Legacy

The coach's impact on the culture of a college program, the overall sport, or on future generations of coaches.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous college football coach. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or your favorite Coach is missing from the list, feel free to help us improve the ranking.

Statistics

1673 views
182 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Coach once every 24 hours. The rank of each Coach is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most famous college football coach

College football is an American tradition that has captured the hearts of millions of fans across the nation. From the thrilling games to the passionate rivalries, there is no doubt that college football holds a special place in the hearts of many. One of the most important aspects of any college football program is the head coach. These individuals are responsible for leading their teams to victory, creating a winning culture, and building a legacy that will last for years to come. The question of who the most famous college football coach is has been a topic of debate for decades, with many names being thrown into the mix. From legendary coaches like Bear Bryant and Joe Paterno to modern-day icons like Nick Saban and Urban Meyer, there is no shortage of great coaches who have left their mark on the game. So, who is the most famous college football coach of all time? Let's dive in and explore the top contenders.