From Campus to the Pros: College Football Coaches’ NFL Transition and Success Rates

Jim Harbaugh

The biggest success story of the modern NFL has been Jim Harbaugh, who's set to return to the league with the Los Angeles Chargers after winning a national title at Michigan. During his first NFL stint with the San Francisco 49ers, Harbaugh posted a strong 44-19-1 record. 

Bobby Petrino

Head coach Bobby Petrino struggled in his only NFL stint with the Atlanta Falcons. Petrino finished 3-10 before handing in his resignation. 

Matt Rhule

Matt Rhule couldn't quite cut it at the NFL level after finding success at Baylor. Rhule was hired as the head coach of the Carolina Panthers and struggled, posting a 13-27 record. 

Greg Schiano

Although Greg Schiano was able to build a strong resume at Rutgers, the same success wasn't found in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he posted an 11-21 record. 

Steve Spurrier

Head coach Steve Spurrier couldn't quite cut it in the NFL with Washington. Despite posting a 228-89-2 record in college, Spurrier ended his NFL tenure with a record of 12-20. 

Doug Marrone

Doug Marrone wasn't able to make things work in the NFL despite having opportunities with the Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars. Marrone posted a 38-60 record with those franchises. 

Butch Davis

Butch Davis was unable to find the magic he manufactured at the college level in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns over three seasons. Davis compiled a 24-35 record in the NFL. 

Kliff Kingsbury

Coming out of Texas Tech, many wondered if Kliff Kingsbury was the next young big name to find success in the NFL. That ultimately didn't transpire with the Arizona Cardinals after posting a 28-37-1 record. 

Chip Kelly

After finding success with Oregon, Chip Kelly was never able to carry that over during his time with the San Francisco 49ers or Philadelphia Eagles. Kelly posted a combined record in the NFL of 28-35. 

Nick Saban

Many consider Nick Saban the greatest college football coach of all time. Despite winning countless accolades in college at Alabama, Saban wasn't able to find much success with the Miami Dolphins in the NFL, posting a 15-17 record. 

Bill O'Brien

Bill O'Brien is a good story of being able to find success at Penn State and in the NFL with the Houston Texans. O'Brien posted a 52-48 record as an NFL head coach. 

Jim Harbaugh

The biggest success story of the modern NFL has been Jim Harbaugh, who's set to return to the league with the Los Angeles Chargers after winning a national title at Michigan. During his first NFL stint with the San Francisco 49ers, Harbaugh posted a strong 44-19-1 record.