Longest tenured coaches. What does it mean?

After seeing the post about Mullen being out at Florida, then reading the article I’ve decided college football programs are very myopic.

Was Urban Meyer successful at Utah? Yes, but he was here two years and not with most of his recruits. He’s a hired gun. Sadly that is what Florida, USC, Washington, and many other teams are looking for. How many Urban Meyer’s are there out there? Not enough to satisfy all these openings.

As of Jan 2021 these were the longest tenured coaches, what impact have they had on their schools? I skipped a couple lesser know coaches at non P-5 programs.

Kirk Ferentz – hired 1998, I’d say he has had good success. Iowa has been pretty consistent in the top 25 over his time there.

Gary Patterson – hired 2000, we all know he and TCU are parting ways, but overall you’d have to say he kept TCU pretty consistent. Though he’s struggled these past few years.

Kyle Whittingham – hired Jan 2004, it is hard to deny Kyle’s time here is definitely at a pretty high point. Winning the south these last three full years. I guess I’m saying replacing him is going to be a challenge and may take patience with his successor. 142 wins in 17 seasons.

Frank Solich – hired Jan 2004, 115 wins at Ohio, winningest MAC coach of all time. In that time 9 wins in more than 8 seasons. He was 58-19 at Nebraska before they fired him. What has Nebraska really done since he left? Not much. USC, Florida, Ohio State, Notre Dame, all have really high expectations for their coaches, with little tolerance for down years.

Mike Gundy – hired Jan 2005, though Ok St isn’t the top team in the Big 12 he’s had a decent go at it. They will miss him when he’s done there. Not as successful lately as Kyle, but started 2021 with 137 wins there. OSU has been ranked in the top 15 – 11 of the past 13 seasons.

Pat Fitzgerald Jun 2006 – again not the dominating coach on this list, but has had some pretty good teams and kept Northwestern respectable.

Troy Calhoun – hired Dec 2006, saw him yesterday or Friday on TV, he is looking really old. But I’m not sure anyone could say he hasn’t kept what Fisher DeBerry had going. Maybe a notch below, but still pretty consistent.

Nick Saban – hired January 2007, it seems like he’s been at Alabama since the houndstooth hat, but you can’t argue with the success he’s had. I think too many in the SEC expect to hire Urban Meyer and counter Nick. He’s got a great thing going. Keep dealing with the flash in the pans, and keep in the top two of the SEC. It’s worked well for him.

Ken Niumatalolo – December 2007 – Not sure he’s out performed Calhoun, but Navy has been pretty steady during his years.

So if you’re looking for a coach do you look for a Kirk Ferentz, Nick Saban, Kyle Whittingham, or Mike Gundy? I know that would be my preference. Instead during the same time as Kyle Kirk and Mike have been at their schools, Urban has been at Florida, OSU, and out of NCAA for a couple years. It looks like Dorrell, Kelly, Tucker, Mullen can have some success initially, but long term those aren’t the coaches you’re looking for. Though I’ll admit there is still time for Tucker, and Kelly to be successful. But will they be given the time.

Meanwhile my fear is KW will hang it up way before I’m ready to see how the Utah AD plays his cards in looking for a replacement coach. We need to enjoy these years with KW at the helm. Nothing is guaranteed with our next coach.