Best college football coach in history from each state

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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Bear Bryant Wins Hertz #1 Award — Bryant: ‘The hell with Moscow. January 22, 1980. (Photo by Richard Lee/New York Post Archives / (c) NYP Holdings, Inc. via Getty Images) /

Kentucky: Bear Bryant

The greatest coach in college football history earns a second spot on this list for helping Kentucky to its best overall period before heading to the Crimson Tide.

Bryant’s collegiate coaching debut came in 1945 with Maryland, and he bolted to Kentucky one year later. The Wildcats were a middling program prior to Bryant’s arrival with just one winning season in the preceding nine years.

Things quickly changed with Bryant at the helm, as Kentucky went 7-3 in 1946 before qualifying for its first bowl appearance the next season. The 1949 team set a then-school record with nine wins and reached the Orange Bowl, where it fell to Santa Clara.

Bryant then led the Wildcats to what remains their best season ever in 1950 with an 11-1 record, Sugar Bowl victory over Bud Wilkinson and undefeated No. 1 Oklahoma, and No. 7 ranking in the AP Poll. The Wildcats decided to claim the 1950 national title last year despite finishing outside the top five, which would extend Bryant’s championship record if it stuck anywhere outside of Lexington.

Following three more top 20 finishes, Bryant decided to jump to Texas A&M, citing concerns that football would always take a backseat to Adolph Rupp and the Kentucky basketball team. The Wildcats have enjoyed only minor blips of success under coaches like Fran Curci and Rich Brooks since, while Bobby Petrino needs a little more time at Louisville to join the conversation as the greatest ever in The Bluegrass State.

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