100 Greatest Coaches Of All-Time (Preview)

Who is the best coach of all-time?

This is a question that every sport fan has debated at some time. While it is very difficult to compare eras and sports, we all have an opinion on this fact. We all think we know who is the best. Who is really best though?

I look at the data and my own personal observations to try and determine the top 100 coaches of all-time. These rankings are based on success. Championships matter, but so does winning percentage, strength of schedule, competition, and impact on the game. I am looking at the entire body of work too so I am not just looking at one stint if the coach has had multiple head coaching jobs. We don't get to forget how awful Bobby Petrino was in Atlanta (although he wasn't close to making this list).

We also had to have some additional criteria for this list to try and narrow it down. This list will consist of coaches from only the big three American Sports. These sports have the most famous coaches and are the most well known in this country and will make the list have more impact here. Additionally, I know the big 3 sports here better than the other sports and I want to have an accurate list. While I know track and field pretty well also, the average American does not, so I will not include that sport in these rankings.

Another criteria is that this list will only consist of college and professional level coaches. While several high school coaches could be argued for this list, they face inconsistent competition and it is too hard to compare the various states in competition for this list. They have different divisions in each state and multiple state championships, but that isn't true at the higher levels. There are too many variables with high school athletics to add these coaches to my list. So, despite the fact that Morgan Wooten clearly belongs, he will not be included on this list. His 1274-192 record at DeMatha High School and multiple NBA players will only get this one mention here and the knowledge that they played for one of the greatest coaches ever.

To make the list the coaches have to establish a long period of success too. No coaches that have coached for less than 10 years as a head coach will be allowed on this list. Therefore, the current coach at FSU will not be on this list. I believe that Jimbo Fisher will easily end up on this list when he qualifies, but he has only been the head coach for 4 seasons. That lack of experience disqualifies Fisher. Sure, he has a National Championship and is 4-0 in bowl games during that span, but he also has a lot less experience than others. To truly evaluate the job a coach has done, you need a bit larger of a sample size. There isn't a coach FSU fans would rather have, but Fisher finishes off this list.

Finally, the list will only include coaches from these sports that coach the male version of the sport. Coaching experience in women's college basketball, the WNBA, or women's professional football will not be included. So therefore one of the truly great all-time coaches in Pat Summitt will also not be on this countdown.

So be prepared to look back at some of the greatest coaches of all-time from the big 3 sports. Prepare yourself to see those coaches that have established a long period of success. Who will be number 1?

-Noland