In recent years, college football has transformed. In the days of yesteryear, you could go a decade or longer with the same coach manning the sidelines. Whether you watched Joe Paterno, Bobby Bowden, or Bo Schembechler trying to motivate their players while attempting to work the refs simultaneously, continuity remained king.
Now, if a coach stays five seasons, many consider that a milestone. In essence, in a sports landscape that sees turnover and departure as an inevitable part of the game. With that said, what active coaches make up the top 10 of the winningest active coaches?
Note: The win totals solely consist of FBS schools.
College Football’s Winningest Active Coaches
Kirk Ferentz: 204 Wins
The Iowa coaching legend enters his 27th year with the Hawkeyes. A former NFL offensive line coach, Ferentz’s teams pride themselves on line play, producing NFL tight ends and strong defenses. Ferentz’s dedication to the line of scrimmage makes opponents flinch.
Eight double-digit win seasons. A Big Ten college football icon, Ferentz sits alone as the winningest active coach in all of college football.
Brian Kelly: 195
In his 21 previous seasons, the well-traveled coach racked up twelve 10-win campaigns. Kelly’s ability to recruit and develop offensive talent remains his truest calling. Now, his goal? Bring LSU back to championship contention, finally capturing his first national championship ship as an FBS head coach.
Dabo Swinney: 180
Many believed that Swinney would make a better coach than a player during his time at Alabama as a wideout. Two national titles, a Heisman Trophy winner, and fifteen years ending with 10 wins established him as one of the greatest coaches in college football history.
With season 18 on deck, Swinney wants to lead Clemson back to national dominance.
Mike Gundy: 169
While he gained notoriety for this clip, people should regard the Cowboys’ coach as a legend in Stillwater. Only five coaches can claim more than his twelve-bowl appearance. Heading into his 21st autumn at the helm, Gundy faces the toughest Big 12 regarding competition in its brief history.
Kyle Whittingham: 167
In what many considered a college football outpost, Whittingham built the Utes on a foundation of mature players. A third of his 21 seasons leading the Utes ended in double-digit victories.
MORE: Highest-Paid College Football Coaches
More importantly, his 11-6 bowl record sets a high bar for the rest of the coaches in the game. Whittingham has set the Utes program up for success after he leaves, as he named defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley head coach in waiting last summer.
Bronco Mendenhall: 140
After a long stretch in Provo, Mendenhall exemplifies the saying, “Here for a good time, not a long time.” Yet, he cobbles together respectable squads regardless of location and roster. Now, he assumes the mantle of responsibility for fixing Utah State. Mendenhall seeks his first bowl appearance since 2018 and thirteenth during his soon-to-be nineteen-year career.
Rich Rodriguez: 136
After leaving Morgantown under rather tense circumstances, Rodriguez, the college football equivalent of Odysseus, heads back home to lead the Mountaineers. In retrospect, those eighteen years removed from WVU will give both the school and coach perspective. The program needed an infusion of new life after navigating the doldrums for the last half-decade or so.
Troy Calhoun: 135
The triple option and graduating servicemen to defend the United States. These two traits make Calhoun stand out. First, the recruit pool is already small, so the Falcons operate out of the triple option to take advantage of their quickness.
You know it’s coming and cannot stop it. Eighteen seasons with eight bowl appearances will remain impressive, considering the Air Force Academy’s limitations.
Bret Bielema: 125
After seven extremely successful years in Wisconsin, including two Rose Bowl appearances, Bielema shocked everyone by leaving for Arkansas. While that did not work for either party, when Illinois called, Bielema answered.
KEEP READING: Way-Too-Early 2025 CFP Prediction
The Illini, fresh off a 10-3 season, continue to build their way toward perennial bowl contention, something they lacked. Sixteen seasons and 11 bowl appearances will only grow in time.
James Franklin: 125
Anyone who can turn Vanderbilt’s fortunes, winning 24 games in three seasons with two bowl wins, is a magician. Now, in his fifteenth year as a college football coach, Franklin not only wins at a 68.7% clip, but his eight successful bowl trips ranked 27th with nothing but wins on the horizon.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, basketball, and more!
