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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Seal of Brown University ( October 2013) /

Rhode Island: Phil Estes

As Rhode Island’s all football program has just three winning seasons since 1985, Estes earns the top spot in state history for his work over the past 17 years at Brown.

Estes was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and played collegiality for New Hampshire as an offensive lineman from 1976-1979. After spending five years in the high school ranks, Estes returned to his Alma Mater as the offensive line coach before becoming the recruiting coordinator at Brown from 1994-1997.

Mark Whipple left to take over Umass the following offseason, allowing Estes to earn his first head coaching gig. In Estes’ second season, the Bears went 9-1, their most successful season since 1926, with a school record seven-game winning streak and first share of the Ivy League in over two decades.

Estes led Brown to an even better campaign in 2005 with another 9-1 mark, as Brown won the Ivy League for the first time ever in school history. Brown added one more Ivy League title in 2008, as Estes now holds school records for conference championships and overall wins with an 112-77 mark.

While the Bears have enjoyed brief blips of success in the past, Estes is already the best coach in school history and doesn’t appear to be leaving anytime soon. State rival Rhode Island will hope to find a coach that can compete with Estes, as the Rams don’t have a playoff appearance or conference title since 1985.

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