The Zeitgeist List · coaching

Minnesota: a football coaching history

National Program I#40 of 138–
See Minnesota’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
← all coaches
Program GOAT
Bernie Bierman
1 Dynasty · 7 Blue-Blood seasons
Built by
Glen Mason
Regional Program III → National Program II (+19.2)
The fall
George Hauser
Dynasty → Blue Blood (−12.4)
Right now
P.J. Fleck
the 5th-best of Minnesota's 12 coaches so far

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)BiermanWarmathStollSalemGutekunstWackerMasonKillFleck19401960198020002020

Every coach

2017–now
P.J. Fleckcaretaker
P.J. Fleck moved Minnesota from National Program III to National Program I in 10 seasons.
+9.9
66–44
2015–2016
Tracy Claeysshort tenure
11–8
2011–2015
Jerry Killcaretaker
Jerry Kill held Minnesota at National Program III for 5 seasons.
National Program III
29–29
2010–2010
Jeff Hortonshort tenure
2–3
2007–2010
Tim Brewstercaretaker
Tim Brewster held Minnesota at National Program II for 4 seasons.
−10.2
15–30
1997–2006
Glen Masonbuilder
Glen Mason raised Minnesota from Regional Program III to National Program II.
+19.2
64–57
1992–1996
Jim Wackercaretaker
Jim Wacker held Minnesota at Regional Program II for 5 seasons.
Regional Program II
16–39
1986–1991
John Gutekunstcaretaker
John Gutekunst moved Minnesota from Regional Program III to Regional Program I in 6 seasons.
Regional Program I
28–37
1984–1985
Lou Holtzshort tenure
10–12
1979–1983
Joe Salemcaretaker
Joe Salem held Minnesota at National Program III for 5 seasons.
National Program III
19–35
1972–1978
Cal Stollcaretaker
Cal Stoll slid Minnesota from National Program I to National Program II in 7 seasons.
−8.1
39–39
1954–1971
Murray Warmathbuilder
Murray Warmath raised Minnesota from National Program I to Power Program I.
+13.3
87–78
1951–1953
Wesley Feslercaretaker
Wesley Fesler slid Minnesota from Power Program II to Power Program III in 3 seasons.
−10.3
10–13
1942–1944
George Hauserinheritor
George Hauser inherited a Dynasty Minnesota and won with it.
−12.4
15–11
1936–1950
Bernie Biermancaretaker
Bernie Bierman held Minnesota at Dynasty for 12 seasons.
1 dyn
68–32