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The old saying goes, “those who can’t do, teach.” Is that true when it comes to college football coaches? I was surprised to learn that of the 119 Division I (or FBS, if ...

The NCAA 10: Top Coaches Who Could Play

by Paul Fulwiler (Scribe)

8

873 reads

Rankings/List

November 14, 2008

Football, NCAA, College Football, SEC Football, Big Ten Football, Pac-10 Football, Florida Gators Football, Stanford Football, Pat Fitzgerald, Chuck Long, Jim Harbaugh, Steve Spurrier, Rankings/List, Rick Neuheisel

The old saying goes, “those who can’t do, teach.” 

 

Is that true when it comes to college football coaches?

 

I was surprised to learn that of the 119 Division I (or FBS, if you'd rather) head coaches there are only six who never played college football.

 

They are: David Cutcliffe (Duke), Paul Johnson (Georgia Tech), Mark Mangino (Kansas), Mike Leach (Texas Tech), Charlie Weis (Notre Dame) and George O’Leary (Central Florida).  Although, if you give him enough time I think O’Leary might be able to come up with a little playing experience for the old resume, if needed.

 

It makes sense that there would be a fair number who either never played, or at best road the pine.  However, what I found was that there were also plenty who could play and who had some stellar college (and a few NFL) careers.  How they rank (as collegiate players) is as follows:

 

10. Mike Gundy, QB, Oklahoma State (Head Coach: Oklahoma State)

 

Gundy was a 4-year starter for the Cowboys and in 1988 (back when he was just 21, and not quite a “man”)

Author Poll

Which coach was the best college player?

  • Mike Gundy
  • Frank Solich
  • Stan Brock
  • Sylvester Croom
  • Rick Neuheisel
  • Turner Gill
  • Jim Harbaugh
  • Pat Fitzgerald
  • Chuck Long
  • Steve Spurrier
vote to see results
Author Poll Results

Which coach was the best college player?

  • Mike Gundy

    6.7%

  • Frank Solich

    0.0%

  • Stan Brock

    0.0%

  • Sylvester Croom

    10.0%

  • Rick Neuheisel

    3.3%

  • Turner Gill

    11.1%

  • Jim Harbaugh

    6.7%

  • Pat Fitzgerald

    4.4%

  • Chuck Long

    2.2%

  • Steve Spurrier

    55.6%
  • Total votes: 90
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comments (8) write a comment »

  1. reply to comment by Anthony
    about 1 month ago

    haha, this was very interesting.

    i wasn't surprised about Mangino or Weis not playing. But they provide hope to all of us non athletes who know a lot about football haha.

    Great article, 5 stars!! POTD!

    1. by Paul
      from about 1 month ago

      Thanks Anthony. I was actually surprised there weren't more. I can see most of them playing in HS, but 113 of them playing college ball was a little surprising.

      Thanks again,

      Paul

  2. reply to comment by Robert
    about 1 month ago

    Dont forget about some of the great coachs who are retired or have died who were amazing players in their college careers. Wasnt suprised about the Alabama players looked at who they learned from. Some of the other schools were a bit suprising though..

    Good article.

    1. by Paul
      from about 1 month ago

      Thanks Robert. You're right. John McKay, the former USC HC great, still holds the yards per carry mark (6.1) at Oregon. And I know there are others.

      Paul

  3. reply to comment by Greg
    about 1 month ago

    Great article. Definitely a fun read. I had forgotten some of these numbers and facts, and it was fun to run through them again.

    Pat Fitzgerald really was a stud.

    1. by Paul
      from about 1 month ago

      Glad you liked it Greg. Thanks for the comments. And the more research I did the more Fitzgerald moved up the board. You could make a decent case for him being #1.

      Paul

  4. reply to comment by Gail
    about 1 month ago

    I couldn't agree with your side note about Turner Gill more. He has turned Buffalo from the Division I doormat to a decent team. He's proved that he is an unbelievable coach.

    1. by Paul
      from about 1 month ago

      Thanks Gail. I think Syracuse is nuts if they don't go after him...today.

      Paul

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Edit this Article Article History

B/R Top25 College Football PollDec 06—Dec 09

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  2. 2. Oklahoma Sooners Football
  3. 3. Texas Longhorns Football
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About the Author Paul Fulwiler (scribe)

  • 26 articles written
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