College football coaches become institutions at the programs they finally settle at. Their names become synonymous with the schools they train. Think of Nick Saban at Alabama or Dabo Swinney at Clemson. Coaches in college football tend to last way longer than their NFL counterparts do.
Here’s the list of the longest tenured coaches in college football.
Top 10 Longest Tenured College Football Coaches
#10 James Franklin – Penn State Nittany Lions (Big Ten)
It might not seem like it, but James Franklin has been in charge of the Nittany Lions for a little over a decade now. While some fans might have thought that Franklin had failed to take Penn State to the next level for the better part of 11 years, 2024 finally brought the long-expected College Football Playoff invite. Expect him to stay in Happy Valley for a while more, as he signed a 10-year extension in 2021.
#9 Dave Clawson – Wake Forest Demon Deacons (ACC)
Clawson took over the Demon Deacons in December 2013 and was their head coach until 2024. In total, he led them through 11 seasons. While it has its highs, the tenure wasn’t the most successful, with an overall record of 67-69. He did have a very positive 5-2 bowl record, and in 2021, he led them to an impressive 11-3 record. That season, he was named the ACC Coach of the Year.
#8 Mark Stoops – Kentucky Wildcats (SEC)
Mark Stoops has been Kentucky’s head coach for 12 years now. His tenure has been fairly successful, being the winningest and longest tenured coach in school history. The period between 2018 and 2021 was particularly successful, with four straight bowl wins and with Stoops being named the SEC Coach of the Year in 2018.
#7 Dave Doeren – NC State Wolfpack (ACC)
After a short stint in charge of Northern Illinois, Dave Doeren became the Wolfpack’s head coach in December 2012. As Stoops, he has been in charge of his program for 12 years now. He has had a fairly positive record with them, 90-66 overall, which translates to winning records in nine out of 12 seasons.
However, where he has had more problems is in bowl games. He had three bowl victories in his first five seasons but hasn’t won any since 2017. That’s five straight bowl defeats (They didn’t qualify in 2019, and 2021’s was cancelled).
#6 Dabo Swinney – Clemson Tigers (ACC)
Dabo Swinney always dreamt about becoming the next big Alabama coach, but in turn, he was meant to go into the history books as the quintessential Clemson coach. Over 16 years, he has led them to a 181-50 record, two national titles (2016, 2018), and nine ACC championships. Despite how things are currently going, it’s obvious Swinney has secured his place in the Tigers’ history books.
#5 Nick Saban – Alabama Crimson Tide (SEC)
Swinney wasn’t meant to go into the history books as Alabama’s coach. That role went to Nick Saban, who had arguably the most successful tenure out of any coach in the history of the sport between 2007 and 2023 at Tuscaloosa. In the process, he logged a record of 201-29, six national titles, and nine SEC championships. Without a doubt, the most successful coach in the history of the sport.
#4 Troy Calhoun – Air Force Falcons (Mountain West)
Only a USAFA graduate would do to lead the Air Force Falcons for the better part of two decades. Through 18 years, Troy Calhoun has led the Falcons to a record of 136–91, with eight bowl victories.
It’s an example of consistency and has to be considered highly successful, taking into account the limitations service academies have when recruiting players. Calhoun started his career with the Falcons in 1985 as a quarterback and played through 1988. His coaching career also started there, as a graduate assistant between 1989 and 1990.
#3 Kyle Whittingham – Utah Utes (Big 12)
Taking over after a successful, albeit short, stint by Urban Meyer, Kyle Whittingham has been the Utes’ coach since 2005. For 20 years now, he has been the face of Utah football. In the process, they have gotten a fair amount of success, with a Mountain West and two Pac-12 championships.
According to many, their undefeated 2008 should’ve given them a ticket for the BCS national championship game that year. While he initially thought about retiring after 2024, he decided against it. Although he has a coach in waiting in defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley.
#2 Mike Gundy – Oklahoma State Cowboys (Big 12)
Another alumnus who has long been in charge of his school’s program. Gundy was the Cowboys’ quarterback between 1986 and 1989, and later held several coaching positions with the school between 1990 and 1995.
Gundy came back to Oklahoma State in 2005 and hasn’t left ever since. However, the success hasn’t been much. He has been named the Big 12 Coach of the Year (2010, 2021, and 2023) and won the Big 12 championship. Seems like not enough for such a long tenure.
#1 Kirk Ferentz – Iowa Hawkeyes (Big Ten)
By far the longest tenured coach in college football is Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz, who took over the program in December 1998. He came in the wake of another long tenure, Hayden Fry’s 20-year period. He is the winningest head coach in Iowa’s history and has led them to two Big Ten championships.
Frentz has been the Big Ten coach of the year on four occasions. Ferentz is expected to be there for at least a few years more, as his contract runs through 2030.
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