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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TEMPE, AZ – NOVEMBER 2: A statue of former Arizona State University Sun Devils Head Coach Frank Kush, who coached the Sun Devils from 1958-1979, stands outside of the ASU Sun Devil Stadium as the Cincinnati Bengals take on the Arizona Cardinals on November 2, 2003 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Bengals 17-14. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /

Arizona: Frank Kush

Neither major program in Arizona has been too consistent throughout the years, but Kush managed to lead the Sun Devils to a period of sustained success in the 1970s.

Prior to beginning his coaching career, Kush was an All-American defensive lineman at Michigan State and helped the Spartans capture the 1952 national title. Kush took his first coaching job as am assistant with Arizona State in 1955 and was quickly promoted to head coach three years later.

Known as one of the most physically demanding coaches in college football history, Kush helped the Sun Devils to a pair of first-place finishes in the Border Intercollegiate Athletic Association in his first two seasons. Arizona State made the jump to the WAC in 1962, and Kush continued to pile up wins with just one season of .500 ball or worse over the rest of the decade.

The program really took off in 1970, as Arizona State finished in the top 13 of the AP Poll in four consecutive seasons and won three straight Fiesta Bowls. Arizona State enjoyed it’s best season ever in 1975 with a perfect 12-0 campaign to finish second, and controversially lost out on a national title to one-loss Oklahoma.

Kush finished with one losing season and 176 wins across 22 seasons before being dismissed midway through 1979 amid allegations he punched punter Kevin Rutledge during a game. Coaches like Dick Tomey with Arizona and Bruce Snyder with the Sun Devils have enjoyed outstanding individual seasons, but Kush’s longevity can’t be touched in The Grand Canyon State.

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