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Top 10 All-Time College Football Coaches With The Most FBS Coaching Wins
College football is a game of passion, strategy, and legacy, but at its heart, it is shaped by the dedicated visionaries pacing the sidelines.
The coaches who have reached the pinnacle of FBS coaching wins are more than just leaders of their teams—they are architects of the sport itself.
Each victory on their record is a testament to countless hours of preparation, sleepless nights spent crafting game plans, and an unwavering commitment to molding not only winning teams but also generations of young athletes.
These individuals have spent decades mastering the craft, navigating shifting landscapes of talent, rules, and competition.
Beyond the numbers, their influence runs far deeper—they’ve built dynasties, set standards for excellence, and redefined how the game is played.
Their leadership has left an indelible mark on college football, inspiring both fans and future coaches, and ensuring that their legacies will be celebrated for years to come.
Take a look below at Top 10 All-Time College Football Coaches With The Most FBS Coaching Wins.
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1. Joe Paterno – 409 Wins
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Joe Paterno, often referred to as “JoePa,” was a legendary college football coach known for his long tenure at Penn State University.
He served as the head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions from 1966 to 2011, making him one of the longest-serving coaches in college football history.
Under his leadership, the team achieved significant success, including two national championships in 1982 and 1986.
Paterno was renowned for his emphasis on academics and integrity, coining the term “The Grand Experiment” to describe his philosophy of balancing athletics and academics.
His career, however, ended controversially in 2011 due to the Sandusky scandal, which overshadowed his legacy.
Despite this, Paterno remains a significant figure in college football history, remembered for his contributions to the sport and his impact on student-athletes.
2. Bobby Bowden – 377 WIns
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Bobby Bowden was a highly respected college football coach, best known for his tenure at Florida State University (FSU).
Serving as the head coach from 1976 to 2009, Bowden transformed FSU into a powerhouse in college football.
Under his leadership, the Seminoles won two national championships in 1993 and 1999.
Bowden was celebrated for his charismatic personality, innovative offensive strategies, and ability to recruit top talent.
He achieved an impressive record of 14 consecutive top-five finishes in the AP Poll from 1987 to 2000.
Bowden’s career was marked by his dedication to his players and his influence on the game, making him one of the most successful and beloved coaches in college football history.
3. Pop Warner – 336 Wins
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Pop Warner was a pioneering figure in American football, known for his innovative coaching techniques and contributions to the sport.
His coaching career spanned from the late 19th century to the early 20th century, during which he coached at several institutions, including the University of Georgia, Cornell University, and most notably, the Carlisle Indian Industrial School.
At Carlisle, he coached the legendary athlete Jim Thorpe and developed strategies that revolutionized the game, such as the single-wing formation and the use of shoulder and thigh pads.
Warner’s influence extended beyond college football; he also contributed to the development of youth football, with the Pop Warner Little Scholars program named in his honor.
His legacy is marked by his strategic innovations and his role in shaping modern American football.
4. Bear Bryant – 323 Wins
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Bear Bryant was a legendary college football coach, best known for his time at the University of Alabama.
His coaching career spanned from 1945 to 1982, during which he became one of the most successful coaches in the history of the sport.
Bryant led Alabama to six national championships and 13 Southeastern Conference (SEC) titles.
Known for his houndstooth hat and tough, disciplined coaching style, he emphasized hard work and resilience.
Bryant’s influence extended beyond the field, as he played a significant role in integrating college football in the South.
His legacy is celebrated for his remarkable winning record and his profound impact on college football.
5. Amos Alonzo Stagg – 314 Wins
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Amos Alonzo Stagg was a pioneering figure in American football, with a coaching career that spanned an impressive 68 years from the late 19th century into the mid-20th century.
He is best known for his long tenure at the University of Chicago, where he coached from 1892 to 1932.
Stagg was instrumental in shaping the early development of college football, introducing numerous innovations such as the huddle, the tackling dummy, and the lateral pass.
His influence extended beyond football, as he also coached basketball and baseball.
Stagg’s dedication to sportsmanship and education left a lasting legacy, earning him a place in the College Football Hall of Fame as both a player and a coach.
His contributions helped lay the foundation for modern American football.
6. Nick Saban – 292 Wins
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Nick Saban is a highly successful college football coach, best known for his tenure at the University of Alabama.
His coaching career began in the 1970s, and he has since become one of the most accomplished coaches in the sport.
Saban has led Alabama to multiple national championships, solidifying the program as a dominant force in college football.
Known for his meticulous attention to detail, strategic acumen, and ability to recruit top talent, Saban has also coached at other institutions, including LSU, where he won a national championship in 2003.
His influence extends beyond the field, as he is renowned for developing players’ skills and character.
Saban’s legacy is marked by his exceptional winning record and his impact on the game.
7. Brian Kelly – 290 Wins
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Brian Kelly is a prominent college football coach known for his successful stints at several universities.
His coaching career began in the early 1980s, and he gained national attention at Grand Valley State, where he won two NCAA Division II championships.
Kelly then moved to Central Michigan and Cincinnati, where he continued to build winning programs.
In 2010, he became the head coach at Notre Dame, leading the team to multiple successful seasons, including a national championship appearance in 2012.
Known for his offensive acumen and leadership skills, Kelly became the winningest coach in Notre Dame history.
In 2021, he took the head coaching position at LSU, continuing his impactful career in college football.
8. Mack Brown – 288 Wins
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Mack Brown is a distinguished college football coach known for his successful tenure at the University of Texas.
His coaching career began in the 1970s, with head coaching roles at Appalachian State, Tulane, and North Carolina.
Brown gained national prominence at Texas, where he coached from 1998 to 2013, leading the Longhorns to a national championship in 2005.
Known for his recruiting prowess and offensive expertise, Brown revitalized the Texas program, consistently achieving top rankings.
After a brief retirement, he returned to coaching at North Carolina in 2019, where he continues to make a significant impact.
Brown’s career is celebrated for his leadership, player development, and contributions to college football.
9. Frank Beamer – 280 Wins
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Frank Beamer is a legendary college football coach, best known for his long and successful tenure at Virginia Tech.
His coaching career began in the 1970s, with head coaching roles at Murray State before taking over at Virginia Tech in 1987.
Beamer transformed the Hokies into a national powerhouse, known for their strong defense and special teams, a style famously dubbed “Beamer Ball.”
Under his leadership, Virginia Tech achieved numerous conference titles and a national championship appearance in 1999.
Beamer retired in 2015 as one of the winningest coaches in college football history.
His legacy is marked by his innovative strategies, consistency, and significant contributions to the sport.
10. LaVell Edwards – 257 Wins
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LaVell Edwards was a highly influential college football coach, best known for his long tenure at Brigham Young University (BYU).
Taking over as head coach in 1972, Edwards transformed BYU into a national contender with his innovative passing offense.
Under his leadership, BYU won 19 conference titles and the national championship in 1984.
Edwards was renowned for developing prolific quarterbacks, including Steve Young and Ty Detmer, who won the Heisman Trophy.
He retired in 2000 with over 250 career wins, leaving a lasting legacy in college football for his offensive innovations and success in building a powerhouse program at BYU.
