The greatest coaches, by what they inherited — and what they built.
The best programs happened under Saban and Bryant. The biggest builds were Devaney, Bowden, and Snyder. They aren’t the same list — and that’s the whole argument.
Every coach, placed by stature inherited vs. built
The current landscape — who’s on the rise, who’s losing altitude
Where each program’s standing has moved over the last three seasons, through 2026. A multi-year tenure arc — not this week’s movement.
Trajectory is our interim Zeitgeist stature model (medium confidence) — a program-standing trend, not a verdict on the coach or a job-security call. Currently-employed head coaches with a 3+ season run, through 2026.
On the rise
3-season stature arc · biggest gains
Losing altitude
3-season stature arc · biggest slips
Holding steady — little movement either way over three seasons: Kirk Ferentz (Iowa), Troy Calhoun (Air Force), Dave Doeren (NC State), Chuck Martin (Miami (OH)), Chris Creighton (Eastern Michigan), Jeff Monken (Army), Pat Narduzzi (Pittsburgh), Kalani Sitake (BYU).
Every program’s greatest coach
The best coach in each program’s history, by the peak they reached. Find yours.
Who tore it down
The exact mirror of the builders — ranked by the most stature a program lost under a coach. You can only fall far if you were once high.