When you begin to compile a list of the top college football coaches in the country today, names such as Urban Meyer, Jim Tressel, Bob Stoops and Joe Paterno are usually recognized among the elite. However, nestled in amongst the top collegiate football coaches in the nation sit some of the most successful names from the D-III ranks, including 14-year Wittenberg University Head Coach Joe Fincham {pictured}.
After leading the Tigers to a 12-1 record in 2009, Fincham will enter the 2010 season with the fifth highest active winning percentage amongst NCAA football coaches. His career record now stands at 126-30 (.808 winning percentage). The list includes coaches with at least five seasons at a four-year institution, regardless of the division.
In 14 seasons at the helm, Fincham has guided the Tigers to a NCAC-best 85-14 record in league games and has captured seven conference titles. In addition, Fincham has helped guide Wittenberg to seven NCAA Tournament appearances, including last season when the Tigers defeated The College of Mount St. Joseph and Trine University, before falling to eventual Div. III National Champion Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Legendary Mount Union Head Coach Larry Kehres tops the list with an astonishing career record of 289-22-3 (.925) in 24 years at the helm of the Purple Raiders program, while eighth-year Washington & Jefferson Head Coach Mike Sirianni is second on the list with a career record of 70-12 (.854).
The University of Florida’s Urban Meyer is third with a 96-18 career record (.842) in nine seasons as a head coach at the Division I level, while current UNLV Head Coach and former Montana Head Coach Bobby Hauck is fourth with a career record of 80-17 (.825) in seven seasons.
Complete List:
1. Larry Kehres, Mount Union........................................ 24-289-22-3-.925
2. Mike Sirianni, Wash. & Jeff........................................... 7-70-12-0-.854
3. Urban Meyer, Florida..................................................... 9-96-18-0-.842
4. Bobby Hauck, UNLV ....................................................... 7-80-17-0-.825
5. Joe Fincham, Wittenberg............................................ 14-126-30-0-.808
6. Jeff McMartin, Central (IA).......................................... 6-53-13-0-.803
7. Ken Sparks, Carson-Newman.................................... 30-287-70-2-.802
8. Bob Stoops, Oklahoma................................................ 11-117-29-0-.801
9. Rick Willis, Wartburg...................................................... 11-95-24-0-.798
10. Mike Whalen, Wesleyan (CT)...................................... 6-38-10-0-.792
11. Jim Purtill, St. Norbert.................................................12-100-26-1-.791
12. Chris Creighton, Drake................................................13-109-30-0-.784
13. John Gagliardi, St. John’s (MN)...............................61-471-126-11-.784
14. Pete Fredenburg, Mary Hardin-Baylor................... 12-109-31-0-.779
15. Chris Hatcher, Murray St.............................................. 10-94-27-0-.777
16. Mark Richt, Georgia....................................................... 9-90-27-0-.769
17. Bill O’Boyle, Chadron St............................................... 5-46-14-0-.767
18. Bronco Mendenhall, BYU............................................ 5-49-15-0-.766
19. Mike Swider, Wheaton (IL)........................................14-114-35-0-.765
20. Jimmie Keeling, Hardin-Simmons........................... 20-164-51-0-.763
21. Dale Lennon, Southern Ill........................................... 13-122-38-0-.763
22. Mike Drass, Wesley.......................................................17-142-44-1-.762
23. John Thorne, North Central (IL)................................ 8-66-21-0-.759
24. John Luckhardt, California (PA)................................. 25-205-65-2-.757
25. Al Bagnoli, Penn...........................................................28-213-70-0-.753
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