The Zeitgeist List · coaching

Cincinnati: a football coaching history

National Program II#46 of 138–
See Cincinnati’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
← all coaches
Program GOAT
Luke Fickell
Peaked at Power Program III
Built by
Brian Kelly
Regional Program I → National Program II (+14.7)
The fall
Scott Satterfield
Power Program III → National Program II (−12.0)
Right now
Scott Satterfield
the 3rd-best of Cincinnati's 14 coaches so far

Stature & coaches, 1954–2026

The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.

program stature (★ = Dynasty-tier season)BlackburnStudleyCallahanMasonStaubCurreyMurphyMinterKellyTubervilleFickellSatterfield1960198020002020

Every coach

2023–now
Scott Satterfieldcaretaker
Scott Satterfield slid Cincinnati from Power Program III to National Program I in 4 seasons.
−12.0
15–22
2022–2022
Kerry Coombsshort tenure
0–1
2017–2022
Luke Fickellbuilder🏆 COY
Luke Fickell raised Cincinnati from National Program II to Power Program III.
+12.3
57–18
2013–2016
Tommy Tubervillecaretaker
Tommy Tuberville held Cincinnati at National Program I for 4 seasons.
−9.3
29–22
2010–2012
Butch Jonescaretaker
Butch Jones moved Cincinnati from National Program II to National Program I in 3 seasons.
National Program I
23–14
2006–2009
Brian Kellybuilder
Brian Kelly raised Cincinnati from Regional Program I to National Program II.
+14.7
34–6
2004–2006
Mark Dantoniocaretaker
Mark Dantonio held Cincinnati at Regional Program I for 3 seasons.
Regional Program I
18–17
1994–2003
Rick Minterbuilder
Rick Minter raised Cincinnati from Regional Program V to Regional Program I.
+14.2
53–63
1989–1993
Tim Murphycaretaker
Tim Murphy slid Cincinnati from Regional Program IV to Regional Program V in 5 seasons.
Regional Program V
17–37
1984–1988
Dave Curreycaretaker
Dave Currey slid Cincinnati from Regional Program II to Regional Program III in 5 seasons.
−9.0
19–36
1983–1983
Watson Brownshort tenure
4–6
1981–1982
Mike Gottfriedshort tenure
12–10
1977–1980
Ralph Staubcaretaker
Ralph Staub moved Cincinnati from National Program III to National Program II in 4 seasons.
National Program II
14–28
1973–1976
Tony Masoncaretaker
Tony Mason moved Cincinnati from Regional Program II to National Program III in 4 seasons.
+8.5
25–19
1969–1972
Ray Callahancaretaker
Ray Callahan moved Cincinnati from Regional Program II to Regional Program I in 4 seasons.
Regional Program I
20–23
1967–1968
Homer Riceshort tenure
8–10
1961–1966
Charles Studleycaretaker
Charles Studley held Cincinnati at National Program III for 6 seasons.
National Program III
27–33
1955–1960
George Blackburncaretaker
George Blackburn slid Cincinnati from National Program II to National Program III in 6 seasons.
National Program III
25–27
1954–1954
Sid Gillmanshort tenure
8–2