Greatest Football Coach in UC history?

[bornready33]

I am not old enough to know Gillman, but it sounds like he was a really good coach. In my lifetime, I would have to say Kelly. It should be noted though that Dantonio is the reason UC football is relevant today. Kelly wouldn't have had a chance to succeed if it was not for Mark Dantonio. I am shocked that nobody has even brought up Mark Dantonio.

[RedRocker]

I am not old enough to know Gillman, but it sounds like he was a really good coach. In my lifetime, I would have to say Kelly. It should be noted though that Dantonio is the reason UC football is relevant today. Kelly wouldn't have had a chance to succeed if it was not for Mark Dantonio. I am shocked that nobody has even brought up Mark Dantonio.

Dantonio didn't win enough, but I will give him credit for having a huge impact on elevating the program to where it is now.

Frankly, after Dave Currey left, I think each coach contributed something that has gotten the program to where it is now. Murphy cleaned up the Currey mess and made us respectable again. Minter was a loyal soldier and built a solid foundation upon which Dantonio, Kelly and Jones grew the program further.

[Dannyboy]

34-6 was a once in a lifetime run for the fans. Just a great time.

[bornready33]

Dantonio didn't win enough, but I will give him credit for having a huge impact on elevating the program to where it is now.

Frankly, after Dave Currey left, I think each coach contributed something that has gotten the program to where it is now. Murphy cleaned up the Currey mess and made us respectable again. Minter was a loyal soldier and built a solid foundation upon which Dantonio, Kelly and Jones grew the program further.

Yeah you are right about the not winning enough part. I am probably just biased as I like him the most out of the 3 coaches that have left.

[bearcatbret]

I think also that just being in the BEast elevated the program. One has to question whether we would have been able to attract the coaches that we have had or if we could have had the success without the BEast.

[RedRocker]

Yeah you are right about the not winning enough part. I am probably just biased as I like him the most out of the 3 coaches that have left.

I like Dantonio a lot. He was my favorite of the last three and probably ever. Just a solid coach in all aspects. Offense was kind of boring though.

[RedRocker]

I think also that just being in the BEast elevated the program. One has to question whether we would have been able to attract the coaches that we have had or if we could have had the success without the BEast.

Absolutely, though UC was/is still a step up from being a DC @ OSU or HC @ CMU.

[Bearcat-in-Italy]

Gillman - 50-13 but 8 of those losses came in his first 2 years, then he lost 5 games in 4 years! That is impressive. He stood the test of time (6 years coaching) that we don't have the benefit of being able to look at Kelly's career with UC and know "what would have happened." Gillman coached in a different era and in the MAC and independent status. Coaches or execs that coached with him or played for him won 24 super bowls! He is clearly a legend. He was 123-103 as a coach in professional football (1 AFL title, 5 AFL division championships, 1 NFL conference championship) and was 81-19-2 at UC and Miami. Very impressive!

Kelly is 199-66-2 in his career...an eye-popping record as well! What Kelly accomplished here at UC was nothing short of miraculous. He did not really stand the test of time, he was 3 and out, never had to play with all of "his" players, but we see what he has done at Notre Dame in a brief 3 years when no one else there could come close.

This is a tough one. If you look only at what they did at UC I would go with Kelly. If you consider the entire career, I would say that Sid Gillman is the greatest coach UC ever had, but Kelly could usurp that and probably if we revisit this in 5 years I will change my mind.