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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STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 03: A detailed view of Army helmet during the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions on October 3, 2015 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 03: A detailed view of Army helmet during the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions on October 3, 2015 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

New York: Red Blaik

College football hasn’t reached the same status as most other sports in New York, as Blaik’s dynasty at Army remains the last great team from the Empire State.

A native of Detroit, Blaik started his playing career at Miami-Ohio before transferring to Army in 1918, where he earned All-American honors as a defensive end. Following the completion of his military service, Blaik returned to Miami as an assistant coach and eventually took his first head gig at Dartmouth from 1934-1940, compiling a 45-15-4 record.

Blaik then made the move to Army to take over a traditionally strong program that had fallen quickly near the end of the 1930s. After beginning his tenure with three solid seasons, the Cadets claimed their first national championship in 1944 with a perfect 9-0 mark.

Two more consecutive national championships followed, as the Cadets didn’t lose a game for a span of 32 games through 1946, only tied one contest, and featured a pair of Heisman Trophy winners in Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis. Army would never quite match that run of dominance, but finished in the top 25 nine more times prior to Blaik’s resignation in 1958 with three additional unbeaten campaigns.

Blaik went 121-33-10 as head coach of the Cadets, and the program has only enjoyed brief flashes of success since. Syracuse is currently the only other FBS team in New York and won the national championship the year after Blaik’s retirement under Hall of Fame head coach Ben Schwartzwalder.

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