Vanderbilt coaches history
| Coach | Years | Seasons | Record | Win % | Best season | Best final AP rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clark Lea | 2021-2026 | 6 | 29-41 | .414 | 10-3 (2025) | No. 15 (2025) |
| Todd Fitch | 2020 | 1 | 0-1 | .000 | 0-1 (2020) | Not ranked |
| Derek Mason | 2014-2020 | 7 | 27-55 | .329 | 6-7 (2016) | Not ranked |
| James Franklin | 2011-2013 | 3 | 24-15 | .615 | 9-4 (2012) | No. 23 (2012) |
| Robbie Caldwell | 2010 | 1 | 2-10 | .167 | 2-10 (2010) | Not ranked |
| Bobby Johnson | 2002-2009 | 8 | 29-66 | .305 | 7-6 (2008) | Not ranked |
| Woody Widenhofer | 1997-2001 | 5 | 15-40 | .273 | 5-6 (1999) | Not ranked |
| Ron Dowhower | 1995-1996 | 2 | 4-18 | .182 | 2-9 (1995) | Not ranked |
| Gerry DiNardo | 1991-1994 | 4 | 18-26 | .409 | 5-6 (1991) | Not ranked |
| Watson Brown | 1986-1990 | 5 | 10-45 | .182 | 4-7 (1987) | Not ranked |
| George MacIntyre | 1979-1985 | 7 | 25-52-1 | .327 | 8-4 (1982) | Not ranked |
| Fred Pancoast | 1975-1978 | 4 | 13-31 | .295 | 7-4 (1975) | Not ranked |
| Steve Sloan | 1973-1974 | 2 | 12-9-2 | .565 | 7-3-2 (1974) | Not ranked |
| Bill Pace | 1967-1972 | 6 | 22-38-3 | .373 | 5-4-1 (1968) | Not ranked |
| Jack Green | 1963-1966 | 4 | 7-29-4 | .225 | 3-6-1 (1964) | Not ranked |
| Arthur Guepe | 1953-1962 | 10 | 39-54-7 | .425 | 8-3 (1955) | Not ranked |
| Bill Edwards | 1949-1952 | 4 | 21-19-2 | .524 | 7-4 (1950) | Not ranked |
| Red Sanders | 1940-1948 | 6 | 36-22-2 | .617 | 8-2 (1941) | No. 12 (1948) |
| Doby Bartling | 1945 | 1 | 3-6 | .333 | 3-6 (1945) | Not ranked |
| Ray Morrison | 1918-1939 | 6 | 29-22-2 | .566 | 7-2 (1937) | Not ranked |
| Dan McGugin | 1904-1934 | 30 | 197-55-19 | .762 | 9-0 (1904) | Not ranked |
| J.H. Henry | 1903 | 1 | 6-1-1 | .813 | 6-1-1 (1903) | Not ranked |
| W.H. Watkins | 1902 | 1 | 8-1 | .889 | 8-1 (1902) | Not ranked |
Head coaches from CollegeFootballData coach records, interim coaches included as their own line. The current season's record comes from this season's results.
Every Vanderbilt head coach on record since 1902: the years each one led the program, the record, win percentage and best season, with Dan McGugin the winningest at 197 wins. For year-by-year results, see the Vanderbilt record by year.
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Frequently asked questions
Who is the Vanderbilt head coach?
Clark Lea, head coach since 2021, with a 29-41 record.
Who is the winningest coach in Vanderbilt history?
Dan McGugin, 197 wins (197-55-19) from 1904-1934.
How many head coaches has Vanderbilt had?
23 head coaches on record since 1902, interim coaches included.
Who coached Vanderbilt the longest?
Dan McGugin, 30 seasons (1904-1934).
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