Georgia Tech coaches ranked by TOP four seasons

GTFLETCH

Dodd-Like
Joined
Jun 30, 2014
Messages
2,589
I have taken the best four years from every GT Coach (that has four years) and ranked them. First is the Coaches with National Titles, and then we list the rest.

National Championships Coaches:

1. Bobby Dodd - 53-2-1 .955%
1. 1952: 12-0, Natty, SEC champion, Sugar Bowl win
2. 1951: 11-0-1, SEC co-Champion, Orange Bowl win / SEC Coach of the Year
3. 1956: 10-1, Gator Bowl win
4. 1947: 10-1, Orange Bowl win

2. John Heisman - 32-1-3 .930%
1. 1917: 9-0 - Natty, SIAA champion
2. 1916: 8-0-1 - SIAA co-champion - This is the year Tech beat Cumberland 222-0
3. 1915: 7-0-1 - SoCon champion,
4. 1904: 8-1-1 - This is the first year for Georgia Tech under coach John Heisman

3. William Alexander - 35-5-1 .865%
1. 1928: 10-0 - Natty, SoCon champion, Rose Bowl win
2. 1927: 8-1-1 - SoCon co-champion,
3. 1939: 8-2 - SEC co-champion, Orange Bowl win / SEC Coach of the Year
4. 1942: 9-2 - Cotton Bowl loss / AFCA Coach of the Year

4. Bobby Ross - 29-17-1 .627%
1. 1990: 11-0-1 - Natty, ACC champion, Citrus Bowl win / Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year & AFCA Coach of the Year
2. 1991: 8-5 - Aloha Bowl win
3. 1989: 7-4
4. 1988: 3-8

non-national championships coaches:

5. Paul Johnson - 40-14 .740%
1. 2009: 11-3 - ACC champion, Coastal Division, Orange Bowl loss / ACC Coach of the Year
2. 2014: 11-3 - Coastal Division, Orange Bowl win / ACC Coach of the Year
3. 2008: 9-4 - Co-Coastal Division, Peach Bowl loss / ACC Coach of the Year
4. 2016: 9-4 - Gator Bowl win

6. George O'Leary - 34-14 .708%
1. 1998: 10-2 - Co-ACC champion, Gator Bowl win / ACC Coach of the Year
2. 2000: 9-3 - Peach Bowl loss / Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year
3. 1999: 8-4 - Gator Bowl loss
4. 1997: 7-5 - Cheez it Bowl win (Carquest Bowl at the time)

7. Bill Curry - 26-16-3 .611%
1. 1985: 9-2-1 - Birmingham Bowl win (All-American Bowl at the time) / ACC Coach of the Year
2. 1984: 6-4-1
3. 1982: 6-5 - Last year as an Independent
4. 1986: 5-5-1

8. Chan Gailey - 30-21 .588%
1. 2006: 9-5 - Coastal Division, Gator Bowl loss
2. 2005: 7-5 - Redbox Bowl loss (emerald bowl at the time)
3. 2004: 7-5 - Cheez it Bowl win (Champs Sports Bowl at the time)
4. 2003: 7-6 - Idaho Potato Bowl win (Humanitarian Bowl at the time)

9. Pepper Rodgers - 26-19 .577%
1. 1978: 7-5 - Peach Bowl loss
2. 1975: 7-4
3. 1977: 6-5
4. 1974: 6-5

10. Bud Carson - 23-21 .522%
1. 1970: 9-3 - Sun Bowl win
2. 1971: 6-6 - Peach Bowl loss
3. 1969: 4-6
4. 1968: 4-6

11. Geoff Collins - 10-28 .263%
1. 2020: 3-7
2. 2021: 3-9
3. 2019: 3-9
4. 2022: 1-3

coaches with less than four years:

12. John McKee- 4-0-1 .900%
1. 1901: 4-0-1

13. Bill Fulcher - 11-10-1 .522%
1. 1972: 7-4-1 - Liberty Bowl win
2. 1973: 5-6

14. Brent Key - 4-4 .500%

15. Oliver Huie- 3-5 .0375%
1. 1903: 3-5

16. Bill Lewis - 11-19 .366%
1. 1992: 5-6
2. 1933: 5-6
3. 1994:1-7

17. Leonard Wood & Frank O. Spain - 2-4-1 .285%
1. 1893: 2-1-1
2. 1894: 0-3

18. JB Wood - 1-5-1 .142%
1. 1896: 1-1-1
2. 1897: 0-1
3. 1898: 0-3

19. George Andree - 0-6-2 .000%
1. 1902: 0-6-2

20. Harris T. Collier - 0-4 .000%
1. 1900: 0-4

21. Rufus Nalley - 0-5 .000%
1. 1899: 0-5

22. Ernest E. West - 0-3 .000%
1. 1892: 0-3
 

Jacket & Coke

Train Driver
Joined
Jan 4, 2018
Messages
71
I have taken the best four years from every GT Coach (that has four years) and ranked them. First is the Coaches with National Titles, and then we list the rest.

National Championships Coaches:

1. Bobby Dodd - 53-2-1 .955%
1. 1952: 12-0, Natty, SEC champion, Sugar Bowl win
2. 1951: 11-0-1, SEC co-Champion, Orange Bowl win / SEC Coach of the Year
3. 1956: 10-1, Gator Bowl win
4. 1947: 10-1, Orange Bowl win

2. John Heisman - 32-1-3 .930%
1. 1917: 9-0 - Natty, SIAA champion
2. 1916: 8-0-1 - SIAA co-champion - This is the year Tech beat Cumberland 222-0
3. 1915: 7-0-1 - SoCon champion,
4. 1904: 8-1-1 - This is the first year for Georgia Tech under coach John Heisman

3. William Alexander - 35-5-1 .865%
1. 1928: 10-0 - Natty, SoCon champion, Rose Bowl win
2. 1927: 8-1-1 - SoCon co-champion,
3. 1939: 8-2 - SEC co-champion, Orange Bowl win / SEC Coach of the Year
4. 1942: 9-2 - Cotton Bowl loss / AFCA Coach of the Year

4. Bobby Ross - 29-17-1 .627%
1. 1990: 11-0-1 - Natty, ACC champion, Citrus Bowl win / Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year & AFCA Coach of the Year
2. 1991: 8-5 - Aloha Bowl win
3. 1989: 7-4
4. 1988: 3-8

non-national championships coaches:

5. Paul Johnson - 40-14 .740%
1. 2009: 11-3 - ACC champion, Coastal Division, Orange Bowl loss / ACC Coach of the Year
2. 2014: 11-3 - Coastal Division, Orange Bowl win / ACC Coach of the Year
3. 2008: 9-4 - Co-Coastal Division, Peach Bowl loss / ACC Coach of the Year
4. 2016: 9-4 - Gator Bowl win

6. George O'Leary - 34-14 .708%
1. 1998: 10-2 - Co-ACC champion, Gator Bowl win / ACC Coach of the Year
2. 2000: 9-3 - Peach Bowl loss / Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year
3. 1999: 8-4 - Gator Bowl loss
4. 1997: 7-5 - Cheez it Bowl win (Carquest Bowl at the time)

7. Bill Curry - 26-16-3 .611%
1. 1985: 9-2-1 - Birmingham Bowl win (All-American Bowl at the time) / ACC Coach of the Year
2. 1984: 6-4-1
3. 1982: 6-5 - Last year as an Independent
4. 1986: 5-5-1

8. Chan Gailey - 30-21 .588%
1. 2006: 9-5 - Coastal Division, Gator Bowl loss
2. 2005: 7-5 - Redbox Bowl loss (emerald bowl at the time)
3. 2004: 7-5 - Cheez it Bowl win (Champs Sports Bowl at the time)
4. 2003: 7-6 - Idaho Potato Bowl win (Humanitarian Bowl at the time)

9. Pepper Rodgers - 26-19 .577%
1. 1978: 7-5 - Peach Bowl loss
2. 1975: 7-4
3. 1977: 6-5
4. 1974: 6-5

10. Bud Carson - 23-21 .522%
1. 1970: 9-3 - Sun Bowl win
2. 1971: 6-6 - Peach Bowl loss
3. 1969: 4-6
4. 1968: 4-6

11. Geoff Collins - 10-28 .263%
1. 2020: 3-7
2. 2021: 3-9
3. 2019: 3-9
4. 2022: 1-3

coaches with less than four years:

12. John McKee- 4-0-1 .900%
1. 1901: 4-0-1

13. Bill Fulcher - 11-10-1 .522%
1. 1972: 7-4-1 - Liberty Bowl win
2. 1973: 5-6

14. Brent Key - 4-4 .500%

15. Oliver Huie- 3-5 .0375%
1. 1903: 3-5

16. Bill Lewis - 11-19 .366%
1. 1992: 5-6
2. 1933: 5-6
3. 1994:1-7

17. Leonard Wood & Frank O. Spain - 2-4-1 .285%
1. 1893: 2-1-1
2. 1894: 0-3

18. JB Wood - 1-5-1 .142%
1. 1896: 1-1-1
2. 1897: 0-1
3. 1898: 0-3

19. George Andree - 0-6-2 .000%
1. 1902: 0-6-2

20. Harris T. Collier - 0-4 .000%
1. 1900: 0-4

21. Rufus Nalley - 0-5 .000%
1. 1899: 0-5

22. Ernest E. West - 0-3 .000%
1. 1892: 0-3
I know we're earning our stripes as true fans, but it sure would've been nice to live through the glory days. Key will have us competing for Natties in a few years.
 

GT76

Damn Good Rat
Joined
Jul 13, 2016
Messages
1,054
I have taken the best four years from every GT Coach (that has four years) and ranked them. First is the Coaches with National Titles, and then we list the rest.

National Championships Coaches:

1. Bobby Dodd - 53-2-1 .955%
1. 1952: 12-0, Natty, SEC champion, Sugar Bowl win
2. 1951: 11-0-1, SEC co-Champion, Orange Bowl win / SEC Coach of the Year
3. 1956: 10-1, Gator Bowl win
4. 1947: 10-1, Orange Bowl win

2. John Heisman - 32-1-3 .930%
1. 1917: 9-0 - Natty, SIAA champion
2. 1916: 8-0-1 - SIAA co-champion - This is the year Tech beat Cumberland 222-0
3. 1915: 7-0-1 - SoCon champion,
4. 1904: 8-1-1 - This is the first year for Georgia Tech under coach John Heisman

3. William Alexander - 35-5-1 .865%
1. 1928: 10-0 - Natty, SoCon champion, Rose Bowl win
2. 1927: 8-1-1 - SoCon co-champion,
3. 1939: 8-2 - SEC co-champion, Orange Bowl win / SEC Coach of the Year
4. 1942: 9-2 - Cotton Bowl loss / AFCA Coach of the Year

4. Bobby Ross - 29-17-1 .627%
1. 1990: 11-0-1 - Natty, ACC champion, Citrus Bowl win / Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year & AFCA Coach of the Year
2. 1991: 8-5 - Aloha Bowl win
3. 1989: 7-4
4. 1988: 3-8

non-national championships coaches:

5. Paul Johnson - 40-14 .740%
1. 2009: 11-3 - ACC champion, Coastal Division, Orange Bowl loss / ACC Coach of the Year
2. 2014: 11-3 - Coastal Division, Orange Bowl win / ACC Coach of the Year
3. 2008: 9-4 - Co-Coastal Division, Peach Bowl loss / ACC Coach of the Year
4. 2016: 9-4 - Gator Bowl win

6. George O'Leary - 34-14 .708%
1. 1998: 10-2 - Co-ACC champion, Gator Bowl win / ACC Coach of the Year
2. 2000: 9-3 - Peach Bowl loss / Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year
3. 1999: 8-4 - Gator Bowl loss
4. 1997: 7-5 - Cheez it Bowl win (Carquest Bowl at the time)

7. Bill Curry - 26-16-3 .611%
1. 1985: 9-2-1 - Birmingham Bowl win (All-American Bowl at the time) / ACC Coach of the Year
2. 1984: 6-4-1
3. 1982: 6-5 - Last year as an Independent
4. 1986: 5-5-1

8. Chan Gailey - 30-21 .588%
1. 2006: 9-5 - Coastal Division, Gator Bowl loss
2. 2005: 7-5 - Redbox Bowl loss (emerald bowl at the time)
3. 2004: 7-5 - Cheez it Bowl win (Champs Sports Bowl at the time)
4. 2003: 7-6 - Idaho Potato Bowl win (Humanitarian Bowl at the time)

9. Pepper Rodgers - 26-19 .577%
1. 1978: 7-5 - Peach Bowl loss
2. 1975: 7-4
3. 1977: 6-5
4. 1974: 6-5

10. Bud Carson - 23-21 .522%
1. 1970: 9-3 - Sun Bowl win
2. 1971: 6-6 - Peach Bowl loss
3. 1969: 4-6
4. 1968: 4-6

11. Geoff Collins - 10-28 .263%
1. 2020: 3-7
2. 2021: 3-9
3. 2019: 3-9
4. 2022: 1-3

coaches with less than four years:

12. John McKee- 4-0-1 .900%
1. 1901: 4-0-1

13. Bill Fulcher - 11-10-1 .522%
1. 1972: 7-4-1 - Liberty Bowl win
2. 1973: 5-6

14. Brent Key - 4-4 .500%

15. Oliver Huie- 3-5 .0375%
1. 1903: 3-5

16. Bill Lewis - 11-19 .366%
1. 1992: 5-6
2. 1933: 5-6
3. 1994:1-7

17. Leonard Wood & Frank O. Spain - 2-4-1 .285%
1. 1893: 2-1-1
2. 1894: 0-3

18. JB Wood - 1-5-1 .142%
1. 1896: 1-1-1
2. 1897: 0-1
3. 1898: 0-3

19. George Andree - 0-6-2 .000%
1. 1902: 0-6-2

20. Harris T. Collier - 0-4 .000%
1. 1900: 0-4

21. Rufus Nalley - 0-5 .000%
1. 1899: 0-5

22. Ernest E. West - 0-3 .000%
1. 1892: 0-3
Nice work compiling this. One noted error; per your yearly stats, Bobby Dodd was 43-2-1 for 0.945%.
 

joeye

Varsity Connoisseur
Joined
Jan 19, 2011
Messages
451
So Brent Key immediately becomes GT’s 11th all-time winningest coach if he goes 7-5 and then wins a bowl game next year.
 
Joined
Mar 26, 2013
Messages
4,275
I have taken the best four years from every GT Coach (that has four years) and ranked them. First is the Coaches with National Titles, and then we list the rest.

National Championships Coaches:

1. Bobby Dodd - 53-2-1 .955%
1. 1952: 12-0, Natty, SEC champion, Sugar Bowl win
2. 1951: 11-0-1, SEC co-Champion, Orange Bowl win / SEC Coach of the Year
3. 1956: 10-1, Gator Bowl win
4. 1947: 10-1, Orange Bowl win

2. John Heisman - 32-1-3 .930%
1. 1917: 9-0 - Natty, SIAA champion
2. 1916: 8-0-1 - SIAA co-champion - This is the year Tech beat Cumberland 222-0
3. 1915: 7-0-1 - SoCon champion,
4. 1904: 8-1-1 - This is the first year for Georgia Tech under coach John Heisman

3. William Alexander - 35-5-1 .865%
1. 1928: 10-0 - Natty, SoCon champion, Rose Bowl win
2. 1927: 8-1-1 - SoCon co-champion,
3. 1939: 8-2 - SEC co-champion, Orange Bowl win / SEC Coach of the Year
4. 1942: 9-2 - Cotton Bowl loss / AFCA Coach of the Year

4. Bobby Ross - 29-17-1 .627%
1. 1990: 11-0-1 - Natty, ACC champion, Citrus Bowl win / Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year & AFCA Coach of the Year
2. 1991: 8-5 - Aloha Bowl win
3. 1989: 7-4
4. 1988: 3-8

non-national championships coaches:

5. Paul Johnson - 40-14 .740%
1. 2009: 11-3 - ACC champion, Coastal Division, Orange Bowl loss / ACC Coach of the Year
2. 2014: 11-3 - Coastal Division, Orange Bowl win / ACC Coach of the Year
3. 2008: 9-4 - Co-Coastal Division, Peach Bowl loss / ACC Coach of the Year
4. 2016: 9-4 - Gator Bowl win

6. George O'Leary - 34-14 .708%
1. 1998: 10-2 - Co-ACC champion, Gator Bowl win / ACC Coach of the Year
2. 2000: 9-3 - Peach Bowl loss / Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year
3. 1999: 8-4 - Gator Bowl loss
4. 1997: 7-5 - Cheez it Bowl win (Carquest Bowl at the time)

7. Bill Curry - 26-16-3 .611%
1. 1985: 9-2-1 - Birmingham Bowl win (All-American Bowl at the time) / ACC Coach of the Year
2. 1984: 6-4-1
3. 1982: 6-5 - Last year as an Independent
4. 1986: 5-5-1

8. Chan Gailey - 30-21 .588%
1. 2006: 9-5 - Coastal Division, Gator Bowl loss
2. 2005: 7-5 - Redbox Bowl loss (emerald bowl at the time)
3. 2004: 7-5 - Cheez it Bowl win (Champs Sports Bowl at the time)
4. 2003: 7-6 - Idaho Potato Bowl win (Humanitarian Bowl at the time)

9. Pepper Rodgers - 26-19 .577%
1. 1978: 7-5 - Peach Bowl loss
2. 1975: 7-4
3. 1977: 6-5
4. 1974: 6-5

10. Bud Carson - 23-21 .522%
1. 1970: 9-3 - Sun Bowl win
2. 1971: 6-6 - Peach Bowl loss
3. 1969: 4-6
4. 1968: 4-6

11. Geoff Collins - 10-28 .263%
1. 2020: 3-7
2. 2021: 3-9
3. 2019: 3-9
4. 2022: 1-3

coaches with less than four years:

12. John McKee- 4-0-1 .900%
1. 1901: 4-0-1

13. Bill Fulcher - 11-10-1 .522%
1. 1972: 7-4-1 - Liberty Bowl win
2. 1973: 5-6

14. Brent Key - 4-4 .500%

15. Oliver Huie- 3-5 .0375%
1. 1903: 3-5

16. Bill Lewis - 11-19 .366%
1. 1992: 5-6
2. 1933: 5-6
3. 1994:1-7

17. Leonard Wood & Frank O. Spain - 2-4-1 .285%
1. 1893: 2-1-1
2. 1894: 0-3

18. JB Wood - 1-5-1 .142%
1. 1896: 1-1-1
2. 1897: 0-1
3. 1898: 0-3

19. George Andree - 0-6-2 .000%
1. 1902: 0-6-2

20. Harris T. Collier - 0-4 .000%
1. 1900: 0-4

21. Rufus Nalley - 0-5 .000%
1. 1899: 0-5

22. Ernest E. West - 0-3 .000%
1. 1892: 0-3
Hard to believe that Dodd's 9-1 (regular season) '56 team only got the Gator Bowl, especially since his 8-1-1 (regular season) '55 team got the New Years Day (Jan 2, actually) Sugar Bowl. BTW, both those bowl games were played in the 1956 calendar year, since the Gator Bowl was played prior to New Year's Day. Also, Dodd's 7-3 (regular season) '54 team played in the New Year's Day Cotton Bowl, and his 8-2-1 (again regular season) '53 team played in the New Year's Day Sugar Bowl. Did we get screwed in 1956?
 

Diseqc

Dodd-Like
Joined
Apr 15, 2008
Messages
47,790
I have taken the best four years from every GT Coach (that has four years) and ranked them. First is the Coaches with National Titles, and then we list the rest.

National Championships Coaches:

1. Bobby Dodd - 53-2-1 .955%
1. 1952: 12-0, Natty, SEC champion, Sugar Bowl win
2. 1951: 11-0-1, SEC co-Champion, Orange Bowl win / SEC Coach of the Year
3. 1956: 10-1, Gator Bowl win
4. 1947: 10-1, Orange Bowl win

2. John Heisman - 32-1-3 .930%
1. 1917: 9-0 - Natty, SIAA champion
2. 1916: 8-0-1 - SIAA co-champion - This is the year Tech beat Cumberland 222-0
3. 1915: 7-0-1 - SoCon champion,
4. 1904: 8-1-1 - This is the first year for Georgia Tech under coach John Heisman

3. William Alexander - 35-5-1 .865%
1. 1928: 10-0 - Natty, SoCon champion, Rose Bowl win
2. 1927: 8-1-1 - SoCon co-champion,
3. 1939: 8-2 - SEC co-champion, Orange Bowl win / SEC Coach of the Year
4. 1942: 9-2 - Cotton Bowl loss / AFCA Coach of the Year

4. Bobby Ross - 29-17-1 .627%
1. 1990: 11-0-1 - Natty, ACC champion, Citrus Bowl win / Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year & AFCA Coach of the Year
2. 1991: 8-5 - Aloha Bowl win
3. 1989: 7-4
4. 1988: 3-8

non-national championships coaches:

5. Paul Johnson - 40-14 .740%
1. 2009: 11-3 - ACC champion, Coastal Division, Orange Bowl loss / ACC Coach of the Year
2. 2014: 11-3 - Coastal Division, Orange Bowl win / ACC Coach of the Year
3. 2008: 9-4 - Co-Coastal Division, Peach Bowl loss / ACC Coach of the Year
4. 2016: 9-4 - Gator Bowl win

6. George O'Leary - 34-14 .708%
1. 1998: 10-2 - Co-ACC champion, Gator Bowl win / ACC Coach of the Year
2. 2000: 9-3 - Peach Bowl loss / Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year
3. 1999: 8-4 - Gator Bowl loss
4. 1997: 7-5 - Cheez it Bowl win (Carquest Bowl at the time)

7. Bill Curry - 26-16-3 .611%
1. 1985: 9-2-1 - Birmingham Bowl win (All-American Bowl at the time) / ACC Coach of the Year
2. 1984: 6-4-1
3. 1982: 6-5 - Last year as an Independent
4. 1986: 5-5-1

8. Chan Gailey - 30-21 .588%
1. 2006: 9-5 - Coastal Division, Gator Bowl loss
2. 2005: 7-5 - Redbox Bowl loss (emerald bowl at the time)
3. 2004: 7-5 - Cheez it Bowl win (Champs Sports Bowl at the time)
4. 2003: 7-6 - Idaho Potato Bowl win (Humanitarian Bowl at the time)

9. Pepper Rodgers - 26-19 .577%
1. 1978: 7-5 - Peach Bowl loss
2. 1975: 7-4
3. 1977: 6-5
4. 1974: 6-5

10. Bud Carson - 23-21 .522%
1. 1970: 9-3 - Sun Bowl win
2. 1971: 6-6 - Peach Bowl loss
3. 1969: 4-6
4. 1968: 4-6

11. Geoff Collins - 10-28 .263%
1. 2020: 3-7
2. 2021: 3-9
3. 2019: 3-9
4. 2022: 1-3

coaches with less than four years:

12. John McKee- 4-0-1 .900%
1. 1901: 4-0-1

13. Bill Fulcher - 11-10-1 .522%
1. 1972: 7-4-1 - Liberty Bowl win
2. 1973: 5-6

14. Brent Key - 4-4 .500%

15. Oliver Huie- 3-5 .0375%
1. 1903: 3-5

16. Bill Lewis - 11-19 .366%
1. 1992: 5-6
2. 1933: 5-6
3. 1994:1-7

17. Leonard Wood & Frank O. Spain - 2-4-1 .285%
1. 1893: 2-1-1
2. 1894: 0-3

18. JB Wood - 1-5-1 .142%
1. 1896: 1-1-1
2. 1897: 0-1
3. 1898: 0-3

19. George Andree - 0-6-2 .000%
1. 1902: 0-6-2

20. Harris T. Collier - 0-4 .000%
1. 1900: 0-4

21. Rufus Nalley - 0-5 .000%
1. 1899: 0-5

22. Ernest E. West - 0-3 .000%
1. 1892: 0-3
No Mac McWhorter
 

GEETEELEE

We suck this much.
Joined
Jul 8, 2002
Messages
37,131
1972: 7-4-1 - Liberty Bowl win
Rumor had it the players voted not to go to that bowl, but boosters supposedly gave them $200 each to play. Dunno it it’s true or not, but the way the team played (I was there in the rain) it looked like they didn’t want to be there.
1985: 9-2-1 - Birmingham Bowl win
That year Curry was literally 2 plays away from an undefeated season; Dewberry sneak was short on 4th and 1 against Auburn and and untimely fumble against UVA.
2006: 9-5 - Coastal Division, Gator Bowl loss
I was there, miserable game and weather. THE Calvin Johnson only had one reception. A receiver was wide open in the endzone jumping up and down, but Reggie only had eyes for Calvin.

Thanks for putting all that together.
 

GT flunkout

held in very high esteem
Staff member
Joined
Jul 24, 2002
Messages
10,671
Hard to believe that Dodd's 9-1 (regular season) '56 team only got the Gator Bowl, especially since his 8-1-1 (regular season) '55 team got the New Years Day (Jan 2, actually) Sugar Bowl. BTW, both those bowl games were played in the 1956 calendar year, since the Gator Bowl was played prior to New Year's Day. Also, Dodd's 7-3 (regular season) '54 team played in the New Year's Day Cotton Bowl, and his 8-2-1 (again regular season) '53 team played in the New Year's Day Sugar Bowl. Did we get screwed in 1956?
There were only like what, 9 or 10 total bowl games at the time? Also up until the 2000s, the Gator Bowl was very prestigious, and had been a NYD game for awhile. Historically, the Gator Bowl was a lot more prestigious than almost every bowl save for Cotton/Rose/Sugar/Orange. Also, poll results didn't include bowl games until the late 60s, so it didn't affect final rankings.

My guess is that those cigar smoke filled rooms where bowl game teams were decided, just decided to share the wealth among different teams to maximize their tourism, which is what the bowls were originally for anyway.
 
Joined
Mar 26, 2013
Messages
4,275
There were only like what, 9 or 10 total bowl games at the time? Also up until the 2000s, the Gator Bowl was very prestigious, and had been a NYD game for awhile. Historically, the Gator Bowl was a lot more prestigious than almost every bowl save for Cotton/Rose/Sugar/Orange. Also, poll results didn't include bowl games until the late 60s, so it didn't affect final rankings.

My guess is that those cigar smoke filled rooms where bowl game teams were decided, just decided to share the wealth among different teams to maximize their tourism, which is what the bowls were originally for anyway.
For all we know, Dodd might have wanted the Gator, since he had just played in the Sugar the previous January. You are right that the Gator was more prestigious now than it is now, but it sure looks like a one-loss team should have played somewhere on NYD.
 

GEETEELEE

We suck this much.
Joined
Jul 8, 2002
Messages
37,131
I thought that it was Calvin who was open in the end zone and Reggie wouldn't throw to him. I was there too, and that's sure the way I remember it.
I think that was a different play. Calvin was on the right, Reggie had rolled right and the other receiver was jumping in the end zone.
 

donsue

Flats Noob
Joined
Jun 9, 2016
Messages
960
Hard to believe that Dodd's 9-1 (regular season) '56 team only got the Gator Bowl, especially since his 8-1-1 (regular season) '55 team got the New Years Day (Jan 2, actually) Sugar Bowl. BTW, both those bowl games were played in the 1956 calendar year, since the Gator Bowl was played prior to New Year's Day. Also, Dodd's 7-3 (regular season) '54 team played in the New Year's Day Cotton Bowl, and his 8-2-1 (again regular season) '53 team played in the New Year's Day Sugar Bowl. Did we get screwed in 1956?
Never did understand that one either. Yep he 1956 literally destroyed UGA, Bama, LSU, Fla, and Auburn by insane scores. Dodd always thought it was likely his best team
 
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