The Zeitgeist List · coaching

Miami: a football coaching history

Power Program I#12 of 138–
See Miami’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
← all coaches
Program GOAT
Dennis Erickson
4 Dynasty · 6 Blue-Blood seasons
Built by
Andy Gustafson
Regional Program I → Power Program III (+19.0)
The fall
Randy Shannon
Blue Blood → Blue Blood (−13.6)
Right now
Mario Cristobal
the 6th-best of Miami's 13 coaches so far

Stature & coaches, 1936–2026

The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.

★★★★program stature (★ = Dynasty-tier season)HardingGustafsonTateSchnellenbergerJohnsonEricksonDavisCokerGoldenCristobal19401960198020002020

Every coach

2022–now
Mario Cristobalcaretaker
Mario Cristobal moved Miami from Power Program II to Power Program I in 5 seasons.
Power Program I
35–19
2021–2021
Jess Simpsonshort tenure
0–0
2019–2021
Manny Diazinheritor
Manny Diaz inherited a Power Program I Miami and won with it.
Power Program II
21–15
2016–2018
Mark Richtcaretaker
Mark Richt moved Miami from Power Program II to Power Program I in 3 seasons.
Power Program I
26–13
2011–2015
Al Goldeninheritor
Al Golden inherited a Blue Blood Miami and won with it.
Power Program I
32–25
2007–2010
Randy Shannoninheritor
Randy Shannon inherited a Blue Blood Miami and won with it.
−13.6
28–22
2001–2006
Larry Cokersustainer
Larry Coker kept Miami a national power for 6 seasons.
+8.1
60–15
1995–2000
Butch Davissustainer
Butch Davis kept Miami a national power for 6 seasons.
−12.7
51–20
1989–1994
Dennis Ericksonsustainer
Dennis Erickson kept Miami a national power for 6 seasons.
+9.2
63–9
1984–1988
Jimmy Johnsontransformer
Jimmy Johnson took Miami from Power Program I to Blue Blood.
+16.5
52–9
1979–1983
Howard Schnellenbergerbuilder
Howard Schnellenberger raised Miami from National Program II to Power Program I.
+14.3
41–16
1977–1978
Lou Sabanshort tenure
9–13
1975–1976
Carl Selmershort tenure
5–16
1973–1974
Pete Elliottshort tenure
11–11
1971–1972
Fran Curcishort tenure
9–13
1970–1970
Walter Kichefskishort tenure
2–7
1964–1970
Charlie Tatecaretaker
Charlie Tate moved Miami from National Program II to Power Program III in 7 seasons.
Power Program III
34–27
1948–1963
Andy Gustafsonbuilder
Andy Gustafson raised Miami from Regional Program I to Power Program III.
+19.0
93–65
1937–1947
Jack Hardingcaretaker
Jack Harding held Miami at National Program III for 9 seasons.
−9.6
54–32
1936–1936
Irl Tubbsshort tenure
6–2