The Zeitgeist List · coaching

West Virginia: a football coaching history

National Program II#61 of 138–
See West Virginia’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
← all coaches
Program GOAT
Rich Rodriguez
Peaked at Power Program I
Built by
Don Nehlen
Regional Program I → Power Program III (+20.3)
The fall
Frank Cignetti
National Program II → Regional Program I (−11.2)
Right now
Chad Scott
in year 1 — too new to place in West Virginia'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)KernLewisCorumBowdenNehlenRodriguezHolgorsenBrown19401960198020002020

Every coach

2024–2024
Chad Scottshort tenure
0–1
2019–2024
Neal Browncaretaker
Neal Brown slid West Virginia from Power Program III to National Program I in 6 seasons.
−8.5
37–35
2011–2018
Dana Holgorsencaretaker
Dana Holgorsen held West Virginia at Power Program II for 8 seasons.
Power Program II
61–41
2008–2010
Bill Stewartinheritor
Bill Stewart inherited a Power Program I West Virginia and won with it.
Power Program II
27–12
2001–now
Rich Rodriguezcaretaker
Rich Rodriguez moved West Virginia from National Program I to Power Program I in 9 seasons.
+9.3
64–34
1980–2000
Don Nehlenbuilder
Don Nehlen raised West Virginia from Regional Program I to Power Program III.
+20.3
149–93
1976–1979
Frank Cignetticaretaker
Frank Cignetti held West Virginia at National Program II for 4 seasons.
−11.2
17–27
1970–1975
Bobby Bowdencaretaker
Bobby Bowden moved West Virginia from National Program III to National Program II in 6 seasons.
National Program II
42–26
1966–1969
Jim Carlencaretaker
Jim Carlen held West Virginia at National Program III for 4 seasons.
National Program III
25–13
1960–1965
Gene Corumcaretaker
Gene Corum slid West Virginia from National Program II to National Program III in 6 seasons.
National Program III
29–30
1950–1959
Art Lewisbuilder
Art Lewis raised West Virginia from Regional Program II to National Program I.
+17.9
58–38
1948–1949
Dudley DeGrootshort tenure
13–9
1943–1945
Rat Rogerscaretaker
Rat Rogers slid West Virginia from Regional Program II to Regional Program III in 3 seasons.
Regional Program III
11–12
1940–1947
Bill Kerncaretaker
Bill Kern slid West Virginia from Regional Program I to Regional Program II in 5 seasons.
Regional Program II
24–23
1937–1939
Marshall Glenncaretaker
Marshall Glenn held West Virginia at National Program III for 3 seasons.
National Program III
14–12
1936–1936
Trusty Tallmanshort tenure
6–4