Clarence “Doc” Spears probably was the best coach in WVU football history. In 3 of his 4 seasons he went undefeated in 1922 at 10-0-1 and won the East-West Shrine Game, precursor to the Rose Bowl, against Gonzaga and lost ONCE in 1923 (7-1-1) and 1924 (8-1). His first season was “only” 5-4-1. Spears NEVER had a losing season at WVU and was 25-2-2 in 3 consecutive seasons. That’s Nick Saban number!
The numbers rank WVU’s football coaches this way:
1922 10-0-1 Coach Clarence “Doc” Spears. Beat Gonzaga in East-West Shrine Game, precursor to the Rose Bowl, so I consider it a national title long before polls determined such things.
1988 11-1 Coach Don Nehlen. Plays Notre Dame for mythical national title but lost partly because QB Major Harris dislocated his shoulder on the 3rd scrimmage play of the game. Also lost bowl game for 11-1 after 1993 season.
2005 Coach Rich Rodriguez. 11-1 and won Sugar Bowl against Georgia.
1969 Coach Jim Carlen 10-1 in 4th & final season at WVU.
1925 Ira Rodgers 8-1. “Rat” was 8-2 in 1928. He was my phys ed teacher during my WVU undergraduate days (I am Class of 1954).
1954 Coach Art “Pappy” Lewis. 8-1.
1905 Coach Clark Forkum 8-1.
1937 Coach Marshall “Sleepy” Glenn. 8-1-1.
1903 Coach Harry Trout 7-1.
1898 Coach Harry Anderson 6-1.
What about Bobby Bowden? He never did better than 9-3. Bobby earned his reputation at Florida State after leaving WVU.
Dana Holgorsen’s best seasons at WVU were 10-3 in 2011 (won Orange Bowl) and 2016 (lost bowl game).
The numbers rank WVU’s football coaches this way:
1922 10-0-1 Coach Clarence “Doc” Spears. Beat Gonzaga in East-West Shrine Game, precursor to the Rose Bowl, so I consider it a national title long before polls determined such things.
1988 11-1 Coach Don Nehlen. Plays Notre Dame for mythical national title but lost partly because QB Major Harris dislocated his shoulder on the 3rd scrimmage play of the game. Also lost bowl game for 11-1 after 1993 season.
2005 Coach Rich Rodriguez. 11-1 and won Sugar Bowl against Georgia.
1969 Coach Jim Carlen 10-1 in 4th & final season at WVU.
1925 Ira Rodgers 8-1. “Rat” was 8-2 in 1928. He was my phys ed teacher during my WVU undergraduate days (I am Class of 1954).
1954 Coach Art “Pappy” Lewis. 8-1.
1905 Coach Clark Forkum 8-1.
1937 Coach Marshall “Sleepy” Glenn. 8-1-1.
1903 Coach Harry Trout 7-1.
1898 Coach Harry Anderson 6-1.
What about Bobby Bowden? He never did better than 9-3. Bobby earned his reputation at Florida State after leaving WVU.
Dana Holgorsen’s best seasons at WVU were 10-3 in 2011 (won Orange Bowl) and 2016 (lost bowl game).