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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TOLEDO, OH – SEPTEMBER 10: A general view of the Maine football helmet during game action between the Maine Black Bears and the Toledo Rockets on September 10, 2016, at Glass Bowl Stadium in Toledo, OH.(Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TOLEDO, OH – SEPTEMBER 10: A general view of the Maine football helmet during game action between the Maine Black Bears and the Toledo Rockets on September 10, 2016, at Glass Bowl Stadium in Toledo, OH.(Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Maine: Harold Westerman 

While The Pine Street State isn’t exactly a college football hotbed, Westerman deserves recognition for leading Maine to nine conference titles in a 16-year period.

Westerman was born in Ann Arbor and stayed in his hometown to attend Michigan, where he played college basketball. Immediately upon graduating in 1946, Westerman took the head basketball job at Hillsdale College while simultaneously entering the football ranks as an assistant.

Two years later, Westerman moved to Maine as an assistant coach, solely focusing on the gridiron. The Black Bears hired Westerman in 1951, and he quickly led them to an unbeaten 6-0-1 campaign with their second Yankee Conference title in school history.

Maine would win at least a share of the next four conference titles and never had a losing season under Westerman until his final season in 1966. Westerman peaked with an 8-0-1 season in 1961 and helped Maine to its lone bowl appearance in program history four years later.

While Maine has managed to remain largely competitive since with seven more conference championships and the same number of appearances in the FCS playoffs, Westerman’s overall record of 80-38-7 is the best period of sustained success in program history. Jack Cosgrove enjoyed a strong enough 23-year with Maine before retiring in 2015, but only won three conference championships and never advanced past the FCS Semifinals.

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