The Zeitgeist List · coaching

Kentucky: a football coaching history

National Program II#53 of 138–
See Kentucky’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
← all coaches
Program GOAT
Bear Bryant
Peaked at Power Program II
Built by
Bear Bryant
Regional Program II → Power Program II (+28.2)
The fall
John Ray
National Program II → Regional Program II (−10.9)
Right now
Will Stein
in year 1 — too new to place in Kentucky's history

Stature & coaches, 1936–2026

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)KirwanBryantCollierBradshawCurciClaiborneCurryBrooksStoops19401960198020002020

Every coach

2026–now
Will Steinshort tenure
0–0
2013–now
Mark Stoopscaretaker
Mark Stoops moved Kentucky from Regional Program I to National Program II in 13 seasons.
+11.7
82–80
2010–2012
Joker Phillipscaretaker
Joker Phillips held Kentucky at National Program III for 3 seasons.
National Program III
13–24
2003–2009
Rich Brookscaretaker
Rich Brooks slid Kentucky from Regional Program I to National Program III in 7 seasons.
National Program III
39–47
2001–2002
Guy Morrissshort tenure
9–14
1997–2000
Hal Mummecaretaker
Hal Mumme moved Kentucky from Regional Program II to Regional Program I in 4 seasons.
Regional Program I
20–26
1990–1996
Bill Currycaretaker
Bill Curry held Kentucky at National Program III for 7 seasons.
−9.8
26–52
1982–1989
Jerry Claibornecaretaker
Jerry Claiborne slid Kentucky from National Program II to National Program III in 8 seasons.
National Program III
41–46
1973–1981
Fran Curcibuilder
Fran Curci raised Kentucky from Regional Program II to National Program I.
+20.6
46–52
1969–1972
John Raycaretaker
John Ray slid Kentucky from National Program II to National Program III in 4 seasons.
−10.9
10–33
1962–1968
Charley Bradshawcaretaker
Charley Bradshaw held Kentucky at Power Program III for 7 seasons.
−10.7
25–41
1954–1961
Blanton Colliercaretaker
Blanton Collier held Kentucky at Power Program II for 8 seasons.
Power Program II
41–36
1946–1953
Bear Bryantbuilder
Bear Bryant raised Kentucky from Regional Program II to Power Program II.
+28.2
60–23
1945–1945
Bernie Shivelyshort tenure
2–8
1938–1944
A.D. Kirwancaretaker
A.D. Kirwan slid Kentucky from National Program III to Regional Program I in 6 seasons.
Regional Program I
24–28
1936–1937
C.A. Wynneshort tenure
10–10