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20 best college football coaches without a national championship

By Brad Weiss

MANHATTAN, KS - NOVEMBER 26: Head coach Bill Snyder (C) of the Kansas State Wildcats gets carried off the field, after winning his 200th career game against the Kansas Jayhawks on November 26, 2016 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, Kansas. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images)
MANHATTAN, KS - NOVEMBER 26: Head coach Bill Snyder (C) of the Kansas State Wildcats gets carried off the field, after winning his 200th career game against the Kansas Jayhawks on November 26, 2016 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, Kansas. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images) /
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In the history of college football, there have been some incredible coaches who never reached the mountaintop, and here are the top 20.

With the college football season only a few days away, it is always fun to take a look at some preseason rankings. However, we go down a different path here, as we take a look at the top-20 coaches of all time to never win a national championship. There are some heavy-hitters on this list, including some that you cannot believe never stood atop the college football landscape.

Last season, Dabo Swinney led his Clemson Tigers to the national title, as he picked up his first championship. In recent years, we have seen Nick Saban establish himself as one of the best to ever do it, as he seems to win a title every other season. With that being said, lets take a look at the top-20 college coaches to never win a national championship.

23 Oct 1999: Head coach Jackie Sherrill of the Mississippi State Bulldogs watches the action from the sidelines during a game against the LSU Tigers at the Scott Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi. The Bulldogs defeated the Tigers 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Scott Halleran /Allsport
23 Oct 1999: Head coach Jackie Sherrill of the Mississippi State Bulldogs watches the action from the sidelines during a game against the LSU Tigers at the Scott Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi. The Bulldogs defeated the Tigers 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Scott Halleran /Allsport /
20

Jackie Sherrill

, Wash. State, Pittsburgh, Texas A&M, Mississippi State

When Jackie Sherrill replaced Tom Wilson as the head coach of the Texas A&M Aggies, he signed a record 6yr/$1.7 million contract. That is how good a coach Sherrill was during his heyday, and in a career that took him to four stops as a head coach, he racked up 180 wins. In each of his stops, Sherrill put his stamp on the program, leaving behind a legacy as one of the best to ever do it.

Considering the amount of talent Sherrill had on his teams, it is hard to think that he never won the big one. During his time at Pitt, Sherril had Dan Marino as his quarterback, and had a staff that included the likes of Jimmy Johnson and Dave Wannstedt. He went an incredible 50-9-1 as the head coach of the Panthers, though even Marino could not lead Sherrill to a title.

While his job at Pitt was impressive, it is hard not to think of his time at Texas A&M when you think of Sherrill. He led the team to three straight Cotton Bowls, winning two of three. He was named the SWC Coach of the Year three times, while racking up three SWC titles. He finished up his illustrious career at Mississippi State, where his 75 wins are the most ever.

With Mississippi State, Sherrill led the school to their only SEC West title. He retired after the 2003 season, though he left with some allegations dogging his reputation. He was found not guilty of any major violations, though he still has a lawsuit going against the NCAA for defamation. He won two national titles playing under Paul “Bear” Bryant at Alabama, but was never able to get one of his own as a head coach.

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