I was thinking about my first post to this thread as being "Wait for it..." Well, here it is.
Best ISU Coach of All Time?
- Thread starter cstrunk
- Start date
I was thinking about my first post to this thread as being "Wait for it..." Well, here it is.
I think we also have to consider Clyde Williams and Pop Warner. The former for what he did here, the latter for being a legend.
harold nichols,hugo otalpaulik(isu' first wrestling coach-1933-1953),jim meyers(coached only one year,but recruited one o our better recruiting classes that became to be known as THE DIRTY 30;clay stapelton took over in 1958 to coach the DIRTY 30.
johnny majors and earl bruce were successful at iowa state and both successful coaches.earl went on to ohio state and was their winningnest coach ever at ohio state,but got fired because he could not beat michigan.
johnny majors and earl bruce were successful at iowa state and both successful coaches.earl went on to ohio state and was their winningnest coach ever at ohio state,but got fired because he could not beat michigan.
In any sport? Which begs the question of, "why is this in football?" then.
Dr. Harold Nichols. it's not even close.
Best football coach, you'd have to argue between Clay Stapleton, Earle Bruce and Johnny Majors. So far.
Best hoops coach? Johnny had great personality, and certainly established the program, but i'm not sure I can call him the best coach. Not to waffle, but Floyd and Eustachy would be in there too.
I definitely agree with almost everyone that Nichols is 1st, not only because of the notoriety & championships he brought to the program, but it's also insane he finished runner-up at the national championships 11 times. I'd probably give BF 2nd place, since he's also been able to bring some wonderful positive notoriety to the program as of late (OT victory over K State being chief among it) and his past successes / being the longest tenured Big XII women's basketball coach.
How do some of you have Tim Floyd over Bill Fennely? Go look at their resumes and than come back to me.
Look at the program that Floyd took over and compare it to the one Fennely took over and Fennely widens the lead.
I just don't get us Cyclone fans love affair for Tim Floyd. Is it b/c he became an NBA coach? He hasn't done anything in his career to garner all this love.
1. Gymnastics coach
2 Nichols
3. Fennelly
4. Eustachy
5. Earl Bruce
Look at the program that Floyd took over and compare it to the one Fennely took over and Fennely widens the lead.
I just don't get us Cyclone fans love affair for Tim Floyd. Is it b/c he became an NBA coach? He hasn't done anything in his career to garner all this love.
1. Gymnastics coach
2 Nichols
3. Fennelly
4. Eustachy
5. Earl Bruce
1. Harold Nichols (6 NCAA titles, 7 Big Eight titles, 11 NCAA runner-up, 8 NCAA 3rd place)
2. Bill Bergan (2 NCAA XC titles, 25 Big Eight titles [T&F/XC combined])
3. Ed Gagnier (3 NCAA titles in four years, 10 Big Eight titles)
4. Bill Fennelly (9 NCAA bids in 13 years)
5. Johnny Orr (6 NCAA bids in 14 years)
6. Jack McGuire (11 conference titles -- 9 swimming, 2 golf)
2. Bill Bergan (2 NCAA XC titles, 25 Big Eight titles [T&F/XC combined])
3. Ed Gagnier (3 NCAA titles in four years, 10 Big Eight titles)
4. Bill Fennelly (9 NCAA bids in 13 years)
5. Johnny Orr (6 NCAA bids in 14 years)
6. Jack McGuire (11 conference titles -- 9 swimming, 2 golf)
I realize it's a big sport in Iowa, but wrestling never was or will be a 'major sport'.
Even though he didn't stay long enough to really deserve it, I'd have to say Johnny Majors.
In five years when we ask this question we'll be saying Gene Chizik.
In five years when we ask this question we'll be saying Gene Chizik.
Last edited:
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
Awesome!!!!
I still think Johnny Orr might be the one. He came to a ridiculous program and built us up into something really cool.
It's hard to argue against coach Orr. Hilton Magic baby. That in and of itself is enough to earn the title of greatest coach.
I guess for me, coach Majors initiated my pride in ISU athletics, coach Orr took it to a higher level. A very tough choice for me.
This is how I would put them. Johnny Majors probably at 7. I think success, longevity, and attachment to the school matter. Some very great people on this list. People we can be very proud of.
