The Zeitgeist List · coaching

Vanderbilt: a football coaching history

Regional Program I#76 of 138–
See Vanderbilt’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
← all coaches
Program GOAT
Ray Morrison
Peaked at Power Program III
Built by
James Franklin
Regional Program III → National Program III (+10.0)
The fall
Fred Pancoast
Regional Program II → Regional Program IV (−8.6)
Right now
Clark Lea
the 6th-best of Vanderbilt's 15 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)SandersGuepePaceMacIntyreBrownWidenhoferJohnsonMasonLea19401960198020002020

Every coach

2021–now
Clark Leacaretaker🏆 COY
Clark Lea moved Vanderbilt from Regional Program II to Regional Program I in 6 seasons.
Regional Program I
26–36
2020–2020
Todd Fitchshort tenure
0–1
2014–2020
Derek Masoncaretaker
Derek Mason slid Vanderbilt from National Program III to Regional Program I in 7 seasons.
Regional Program I
27–55
2011–2013
James Franklincaretaker
James Franklin moved Vanderbilt from Regional Program III to National Program III in 3 seasons.
+10.0
24–15
2010–2010
Robbie Caldwellshort tenure
2–10
2002–2009
Bobby Johnsoncaretaker
Bobby Johnson moved Vanderbilt from Regional Program III to Regional Program II in 8 seasons.
Regional Program II
29–66
1997–2001
Woody Widenhofercaretaker
Woody Widenhofer moved Vanderbilt from Regional Program IV to Regional Program III in 5 seasons.
Regional Program III
15–40
1995–1996
Ron Dowhowershort tenure
4–18
1991–1994
Gerry DiNardocaretaker
Gerry DiNardo held Vanderbilt at Regional Program IV for 4 seasons.
Regional Program IV
18–26
1986–1990
Watson Browncaretaker
Watson Brown held Vanderbilt at Regional Program III for 5 seasons.
Regional Program III
10–45
1979–1985
George MacIntyrecaretaker
George MacIntyre moved Vanderbilt from Regional Program IV to Regional Program III in 7 seasons.
Regional Program III
25–52
1975–1978
Fred Pancoastcaretaker
Fred Pancoast slid Vanderbilt from Regional Program II to Regional Program I in 4 seasons.
−8.6
13–31
1973–1974
Steve Sloanshort tenure
12–9
1967–1972
Bill Pacecaretaker
Bill Pace moved Vanderbilt from Regional Program III to Regional Program II in 6 seasons.
Regional Program II
22–38
1963–1966
Jack Greencaretaker
Jack Green slid Vanderbilt from Regional Program I to Regional Program II in 4 seasons.
Regional Program II
7–29
1953–1962
Arthur Guepecaretaker
Arthur Guepe moved Vanderbilt from National Program II to National Program I in 10 seasons.
−8.4
39–54
1949–1952
Bill Edwardscaretaker
Bill Edwards moved Vanderbilt from National Program II to National Program I in 4 seasons.
National Program I
21–19
1945–1945
Doby Bartlingshort tenure
3–6
1940–1948
Red Sanderscaretaker
Red Sanders held Vanderbilt at National Program I for 6 seasons.
National Program I
36–22
1936–1939
Ray Morrisoncaretaker
Ray Morrison held Vanderbilt at Power Program III for 4 seasons.
Power Program III
18–17