[CTcard]

Tyrone Willingham 44-36-1 (55%) [4 winning seasons in 7 years, 1 conference title]

In terms of on field results, Willingham way overachieved at Stanford. But I still would place him behind the coach who did the most to change the culture at Stanford in the 35 years or so between Ralston and Harbaugh - Denny Green. He was the first to prove that Stanford could play smash mouth offense and "impose our will" defense. He was also a great recruiter. He was such a good fit at Stanford. If he had stayed for 7 years (same term as Willingham), I believe that his record would have been at least as good.

I have to wonder about the "also a great recruiter" part, though I don't quite remember enough to be sure.

Green was only at Stanford three seasons. Over those three seasons and the next (first year of Walsh I) the team got better each year: 3-8, 5-6, 8-4, 10-3 (co-conference champs).
However, that 10-3 team was VERY senior-laden, though I don't remember 4th versus 5th year breakdown. Walsh certainly didn't think much of the remaining talent. Whether he was right is a question. Part of the struggles in 1993 and 1994 was that the players on the field were so young (recruited by Walsh). It was clear that 1995 was going to be a lot better year as that talent matured; Willingham lucked into a good setup.


----------------
The three most recent Stanford to the NFL coaches are an interesting tale. In a sense, one might think none did enough at Stanford by W-L to merit the NFL calling, but all were about style - how they did it.

Green - As noted, one winning season in three years and a losing record overall. However, he made Stanford a tough running and defense team which it very notably had not been before.
Walsh - Two winning seasons, though out of two. However, on W-L his main accomplishment over his predecessors was winning some out of conference games.* His conference records (5-2, 4-3) were not better than Christiansen's (2-5 in 1972, but then 5-2, 5-1-1, 5-2, 5-2). Of course Walsh was widely noted for the innovation he brought, with the fancy west coast offense and what at the time seemed like throwing the ball all over the place.
Harbaugh - Two winning seasons out of four and 58% wins - but he did it with EUTM, toughness, and after taking over the most moribund of programs.


* I am too young to remember Christiansen very well, though I know his Stanford reputation was simply being very mediocre. I was surprised to see his conference records were so good and his out of conference schedules so tough.
In 1976 Stanford started the season playing #10 Penn State then #1 Michigan both on the road.
In 1975 Stanford started the season playing #10 Penn State (road) then #2 Michigan.
In 1974 Stanford played #8 Penn State, #4 Michigan, and Illinois
In 1973 Stanford played #7 Penn State, at #5 Michigan, and at Illinois

[CTcard]

Tyrone Willingham 44-36-1 (55%) [4 winning seasons in 7 years, 1 conference title]

In terms of on field results, Willingham way overachieved at Stanford. But I still would place him behind the coach who did the most to change the culture at Stanford in the 35 years or so between Ralston and Harbaugh - Denny Green. He was the first to prove that Stanford could play smash mouth offense and "impose our will" defense. He was also a great recruiter. He was such a good fit at Stanford. If he had stayed for 7 years (same term as Willingham), I believe that his record would have been at least as good.

I have to wonder about the "also a great recruiter" part, though I don't quite remember enough to be sure.

Green was only at Stanford three seasons. Over those three seasons and the next (first year of Walsh I) the team got better each year: 3-8, 5-6, 8-4, 10-3 (co-conference champs).
However, that 10-3 team was VERY senior-laden, though I don't remember 4th versus 5th year breakdown. Walsh certainly didn't think much of the remaining talent. Whether he was right is a question. Part of the struggles in 1993 and 1994 was that the players on the field were so young (recruited by Walsh). It was clear that 1995 was going to be a lot better year as that talent matured; Willingham lucked into a good setup.


----------------
The three most recent Stanford to the NFL coaches are an interesting tale. In a sense, one might think none did enough at Stanford by W-L to merit the NFL calling, but all were about style - how they did it.

Green - As noted, one winning season in three years and a losing record overall. However, he made Stanford a tough running and defense team which it very notably had not been before.
Walsh - Two winning seasons, though out of two. However, on W-L his main accomplishment over his predecessors was winning some out of conference games.* His conference records (5-2, 4-3) were not better than Christiansen's (2-5 in 1972, but then 5-2, 5-1-1, 5-2, 5-2). Of course Walsh was widely noted for the innovation he brought, with the fancy west coast offense and what at the time seemed like throwing the ball all over the place.
Harbaugh - Two winning seasons out of four and 58% wins - but he did it with EUTM, toughness, and after taking over the most moribund of programs.


* I am too young to remember Christiansen very well, though I know his Stanford reputation was simply being very mediocre. I was surprised to see his conference records were so good and his out of conference schedules so tough.
In 1976 Stanford started the season playing #10 Penn State then #1 Michigan both on the road.
In 1975 Stanford started the season playing #10 Penn State (road) then #2 Michigan.
In 1974 Stanford played #8 Penn State, #4 Michigan, and Illinois
In 1973 Stanford played #7 Penn State, at #5 Michigan, and at Illinois