Fansided

Best college football coach in history from each state

By Nathaniel Reeves

TUSCALOOSA, AL - CIRCA 1958-1982: Paul Bryant, head coach of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide football team observes the play during a game at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Alabama) (Photo by University of Alabama/Collegiate Images/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, AL - CIRCA 1958-1982: Paul Bryant, head coach of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide football team observes the play during a game at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Alabama) (Photo by University of Alabama/Collegiate Images/Getty Images) /
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Head coach Chris Petersen of Boise State looks concerned early in the Broncos’ game against Louisiana Tech at Bronco Stadium in Boise, Idaho, on Tuesday, October 26, 2010. (Shawn Raecke/Idaho Statesman/MCT via Getty Images)
Head coach Chris Petersen of Boise State looks concerned early in the Broncos’ game against Louisiana Tech at Bronco Stadium in Boise, Idaho, on Tuesday, October 26, 2010. (Shawn Raecke/Idaho Statesman/MCT via Getty Images) /

Idaho: Chris Petersen 

While Dan Hawkins deserves plenty of credit for building the Boise State program, Petersen took things to the next level during his eight-year tenure.

Petersen played quarterback for UC Davis from 1985 and 1986 before immediately taking over as freshmen coach for the Aggies. Following four different stops as a position coach, Petersen was hired as Boise State’s offensive coordinator in 2001 and helped the Broncos to three straight double-digit win campaigns.

After Hawkins left for Colorado following the 2005 season, the Broncos promoted Petersen to head coach. Petersen immediately rose to national prominence by helping Boise State go a perfect 13-0 in his first season with an upset over Oklahoma in Fiesta Bowl, which included a pair of legendary trick plays in key situations.

The Broncos would win at least 10 games in Petersen’s first seven years and added another perfect record and Fiesta Bowl win in 2009. Petersen ended his Boise State tenure with an incredible 92-12 record with five of those losses coming in his final season and had a real shot at the 2010 national title before a late-season upset at the hands of Colin Kaepernick and Nevada.

With an appearance in the College Football Playoff in his third season at Washington, Petersen is only further proving his coaching acumen. While Bryan Harsin appears poised to continue the success at Boise State, Petersen’s sheer winning percentage makes him nearly impossible to top.

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