The Zeitgeist List · coaching

Rice: a football coaching history

Regional Program V#131 of 138–
See Rice’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
← all coaches
Program GOAT
Jess Neely
Peaked at Power Program II
Built by
Jess Neely
National Program I → Power Program II (+13.0)
The fall
Bo Hagan
National Program II → Regional Program I (−8.7)
Right now
Scott Abell
in year 2 — too new to place in Rice'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)NeelyAlbornGoldsmithHatfieldBailiffBloomgren19401960198020002020

Every coach

2025–now
Scott Abellshort tenure
5–8
2024–2024
Pete Alamarshort tenure
2–2
2018–2024
Mike Bloomgrencaretaker
Mike Bloomgren held Rice at Regional Program V for 7 seasons.
Regional Program V
24–52
2007–2017
David Bailiffcaretaker
David Bailiff moved Rice from Regional Program IV to Regional Program III in 11 seasons.
Regional Program III
57–80
2006–2006
Todd Grahamshort tenure
7–6
1994–2005
Ken Hatfieldcaretaker
Ken Hatfield moved Rice from Regional Program IV to Regional Program III in 12 seasons.
Regional Program III
55–78
1989–1993
Fred Goldsmithcaretaker
Fred Goldsmith moved Rice from Regional Program V to Regional Program IV in 5 seasons.
Regional Program IV
23–31
1986–1988
Jerry Berndtcaretaker
Jerry Berndt held Rice at Regional Program V for 3 seasons.
Regional Program V
6–27
1984–1985
Watson Brownshort tenure
4–18
1978–1983
Ray Alborncaretaker
Ray Alborn slid Rice from Regional Program III to Regional Program IV in 6 seasons.
Regional Program IV
13–53
1976–1977
Homer Riceshort tenure
4–18
1972–1975
Al Conovercaretaker
Al Conover held Rice at Regional Program I for 4 seasons.
Regional Program I
14–28
1971–1971
Bill Petersonshort tenure
3–7
1967–1970
Bo Hagancaretaker
Bo Hagan slid Rice from National Program II to National Program III in 4 seasons.
−8.7
12–27
1940–1966
Jess Neelybuilder
Jess Neely raised Rice from National Program I to Power Program II.
+13.0
144–124
1936–1939
Jimmy Kittscaretaker
Jimmy Kitts held Rice at National Program I for 4 seasons.
National Program I
16–25