Stature and coaches, 1936–1981
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.
DynastyBlue BloodPower ProgramNational ProgramRegional Program
Every coach
Big movers show how many stature points they built or lost against what they inherited; steadier tenures show the tier they reached instead.
1965–1981
Carmen Cozza Steady≈
Carmen Cozza moved the Bulldogs from National Program III to Power Program III in 17 seasons.
+10.3 pts over 17 seasons · bottom 42% of 10+-season tenures (202 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Les Miles’s LSU run (2005–2016)
1st-best Yale tenure of 3 by the numbers.
Followed John Pont (1963–1964).
8 NFL Draft picks: Robert Greenlee (1967), Calvin Hill (1969), Don Martin (1971), Dick Jauron (1973), Bob Leyen (1973), Jeff Rohrer (1982), Rich Diana (1982), Curt Grieve (1982)
+10.3
114-38-3
1952–1962
Jordan Olivar Steady
Jordan Olivar moved Yale from Regional Program I to National Program II in 11 seasons.
+5.7 pts over 11 seasons · bottom 24% of 10+-season tenures (202 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Craig Bohl’s Wyoming run (2014–2023)
3rd-best Yale tenure of 3 by the numbers.
Succeeded by John Pont (1963–1964).
+5.7
61-32-6
1942–1947
Howard Odell Steady
Howard Odell moved Yale from Regional Program I to National Program II in 6 seasons.
+7.3 pts over 6 seasons · top 26% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Steve Sarkisian’s Texas run (2021–now)
2nd-best Yale tenure of 3 by the numbers.
Followed Spike Nelson (1941).
+7.3
35-15-2
1941
Spike Nelson Short tenure
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