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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05 JAN 2013: North Dakota State Bison head coach Craig Bohl celebrates after the North Dakota State Bison beat the Sam Houston State Bearkats 39-13 to win the the Division I Men’s Football Championship held at FC Dallas Stadium in Frisco, TX. Tom Pennington/NCAA Photos via Getty Images /

North Dakota: Craig Bohl

Bohl crafted an FCS dynasty at North Dakota State, and may even have a chance to earn a second nod later on following a strong start in Wyoming.

The Lincoln native stayed in his hometown to play collegiality as a defensive back at Nebraska from 1979 to 1981 and was immediately hired by his Alma Mater as a graduate assistant afterward. Following nearly two decades of bouncing around as a position coach and defensive coordinator at six different schools, the Bison finally gave Bohl his first head coaching gig in 2003.

That decision changed the trajectory of the North Dakota State program quickly, as the one-time Division II powerhouse had been sliding quickly in the early 2000s. Bohl oversaw a smooth transition to the FCS level, including a pair of 10-1 seasons in 2006 and 2007 despite being ineligible for the postseason.

After a quick down period over the next two years, the Bison reached the FCS playoffs for the first time in 2010 and followed that up with a 14-1 season and national championship. Bohl led the Bison to the next two titles including a perfect 15-0 campaign in 2013 to finish his North Dakota State career with a 104-32 record with wins over FBS schools Kansas State, Minnesota and Kansas.

The Bison have gone 40-5 with two national championships under successor Chris Klieman, who is quickly joining North Dakota State football lore himself. In-state rival North Dakota hasn’t reached that level yet with only one appearance in the FCS playoffs, meaning Bohl runs away from the competition.

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