College Football Coaches Surpass Milestones in Latest Win Rankings

Ferentz Leads Active FBS Coaches in Victories

The landscape of college football coaching is constantly evolving, with active head coaches accumulating wins season after season. A recent comprehensive ranking has revealed the top performers, highlighting dedication and sustained success on the gridiron.

Veteran Coaches Dominate Top Tier

Leading the pack is Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz, now the winningest active FBS head coach with an impressive 204 victories. This milestone reflects decades of consistent performance. Following closely behind are Brian Kelly of LSU with 195 wins and Clemson’s Dabo Swinney, who has amassed 180 victories.

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz.

The top ten features a blend of established names and those who have steadily built their programs. Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy and Utah’s Kyle Whittingham are recognized among the elite, with 169 and 167 wins respectively. Other notable coaches in the top ten include Rich Rodriguez (136 wins), Troy Calhoun (135 wins), and a tie for eighth between Bret Bielema of Illinois and Penn State’s James Franklin, both with 125 wins. San Jose State’s Ken Niumatalolo rounds out the top ten with 116 victories.

Established Programs and Rising Stars

The rankings extend to coaches with impressive win totals in the 11-25 range, featuring prominent figures like NC State’s Dave Doeren (110 wins) and a tie between Ole Miss’s Lane Kiffin and Georgia’s Kirby Smart, both with 105 wins. This list also includes coaches who are beginning to make significant marks, such as UNLV’s And Mullen and Arkansas State’s Butch Jones, who are tied with 103 wins.

Further down the list, coaches like Matt Campbell of Iowa State (99 wins) and Sonny Dykes of TCU (98 wins) demonstrate the depth of talent across college football. The rankings provide a comprehensive look at the current coaching landscape, from seasoned veterans to emerging leaders.

As of the close of the 2024 season, for example, Deion Sanders, head coach of Colorado, had secured 13 wins, highlighting his rapid impact since taking the helm. The full list details the FBS win totals for 136 coaches, offering a complete picture of achievements at the highest level of college football.

Coaches Building Momentum

The broader rankings showcase a wide spectrum of coaching careers, from those with dozens of wins to new leaders just embarking on their head coaching journeys. Coaches like Scott Satterfield of Cincinnati (80 wins), Mark Stoops of Kentucky (77 wins), and Luke Fickell of Wisconsin (76 wins) are consistently building strong programs.

The data reflects the dedication and strategic acumen required to succeed in college football, with many coaches demonstrating long-term commitment and a drive for excellence. The compilation offers valuable insight into the coaching hierarchy and the ongoing pursuit of victory in this competitive sport.

A Standout Player

The 6-foot-5, 195-pound receiver from Miami Northwestern Senior High School is considered one of the most significant commitments in the university’s football program history under coach **Fran Brown**. In his final season, **Russell** helped his team secure a Class 3A Florida state championship.

**Calvin Russell III** in action for Miami Northwestern. Photo courtesy: **Chet Peterman** / Special to The Post / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Under the guidance of NFL quarterback and Miami Northwestern alum **Teddy Bridgewater**, the Bulls achieved a 12-2 record, dominating their opponents with a combined score of 300 points in their last six games. **Russell** averaged 18.4 yards per reception, amassing 645 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns.

Before transitioning to wide receiver, **Russell** played quarterback during his freshman and sophomore years, accumulating over 500 passing yards and 569 rushing yards. Furthermore, on the basketball court, he averaged 15 points per game with a 56% shooting accuracy.

Dramatic Commitment

The commitment announcement was filled with suspense. Scheduled to go live during his birthday party, **Russell** was significantly delayed due to traffic. After nearly 40 minutes, he finally appeared on Instagram Live with his family, ready to announce his decision among Florida State, Michigan, Oregon and Syracuse.

Technical difficulties then ensued as the audio cut out, leaving fans in silence for two agonizing minutes. The celebration finally erupted as **Russell** revealed his choice, leading **Hayes Fawcett** to declare, “FRAN BROWN!!!” on social media. According to NCAA data, fewer than 2% of high school athletes receive college scholarships (NCAA 2023).

Future Outlook

**Russell** joins Syracuse’s 2026 recruiting class as the fifth receiver. His commitment elevates the Orange’s class ranking to 20th nationally. Together with four-star receiver **Amare Gough**, they are expected to form a dynamic duo.

This commitment is arguably **Fran Brown’s** most significant achievement at Syracuse. The focus now shifts to **Russell’s** potential earnings and whether he will participate in both football and basketball.

Further updates on **Calvin Russell’s** commitment and other Syracuse developments are forthcoming.

FBS

College Football Coaches With the Most Wins: Ranking All 136 Coaches