Top 100 greatest high school sports coaches of all-time

With 15 state championships and 10 national championships, Bob Ladouceur of De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) would seem to be the easy choice for greatest high school football coach of all-time. But how does he rank compared to coaches in other team sports?

MaxPreps developed an algorithm to rank the greatest coaches across various sports. Since it is difficult to compare a coach like John McKissick of Summerville (S.C.) with 620 wins to basketball coach Robert Hughes of Dunbar (Fort Worth, Texas) with 1,333 wins, the algorithm normalizes the data to judge them all on the same level.

The algorithm includes data regarding the coach's all-time wins, number of years coached, average wins per year, state championships, national championships, winning percentage and average number of state championships per year.

The algorithm puts a premium on longevity, consistency and dominance. In order for coaches to be considered, they had to coach for at least 30 years at the high school level. This obviously leaves out some great coaches like Gerry Faust of Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati, Ohio), Paul Brown of Massillon Washington (Massillon, Ohio), Bret Almazan-Cezar of Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.) and Jason Negro of St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.), but we wanted to base the algorithm on outstanding coaching over a long period of time, not necessarily greatness during a shorter window (perhaps the basis for another list!).

Also, only coaches in sports that involve a team competing as a unit are included. So football, basketball, baseball, softball, field hockey, ice hockey, soccer, volleyball, and lacrosse are included. Sports where athletes compete as individuals on the playing field like track, wrestling, tennis, cross country, etc., were not included.

It's no surprise that Ladouceur topped our list. His 10 national championships dwarf any other football coach and are also a high for any coach in any sport. No. 2 on the list might be a surprise to some but not to those who coach boys lacrosse. Mike Messere of West Genesee (Camillus, N.Y.) is the Ladouceur equivalent in his sport with a .909 winning percentage, 15 state championships and seven national titles.

Basketball coaches dominate the top part of the list with Bob Hurley of St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.), Morgan Wootten of DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.), Kevin Boyle of Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) and Steve Smith of Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) making the top 10 on the boys side and Joe Lombard of Canyon (Texas) representing girls hoops.

Sport: Football
Record: 399-25-3 (.938)
Years: 34
Primary school: De La Salle (Concord, Calif.)
State championships: 15 (Cal-Hi Sports state team of the year designation/CIF state combined)
National championships: 10

2. Mike Messere
Sport: Boys lacrosse
Record: 846-85-0 (.909)
Years: 43
Primary school: West Genesee (Camillus, N.Y.)
State championships: 15
National championships: 7

3. Bob Hurley
Sport: Boys basketball
Record: 1,185-124 (.905)
Years: 44
Primary school: St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.)
State championships: 26
National championships: 4

4. Morgan Wootten
Sport: Boys basketball
Record: 1,274-192 (.869)
Years: 46
Primary school: DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.)
State championships: 22 (WCAC championships)
National championships: 5

5. Kevin Boyle
Sport: Boys basketball
Record: 948-128 (.881)
Years: 36
Primary school: Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)
State championships: 5
National championships: 7

6. Steve Smith
Sport: Boys basketball
Record: 1,228-97 (.927)
Years: 38
Primary school: Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.)
State championships: 0 (Did not participate in state playoffs)
National championships: 7

7. J.T. Curtis
Sport: Football
Record: 623-80-6 (.883)
Years: 55
Primary school: John Curtis Christian (River Ridge, La.)
State championships: 27
National championships: 1

8. Joe Lombard
Sport: Girls basketball
Record: 1,379-133 (.912)
Years: 43
Primary school: Canyon (Texas)
State championships: 19
National championships: 1

9. Bruce Rollinson
Sport: Football
Record: 341-87-2 (.795)
Years: 34
Primary school: Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
State championships: 12 (Section/state championships combined)
National championships: 6

10. Carlos Giron
Sport: Girls soccer
Record: 842-88-31 (.892)
Years: 38
Primary school: St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
State championships: 14
National championships: 1

11. Gary McKnight
Sport: Boys basketball
Record: 1,272-140 (.901)
Years: 42
Primary school: Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
State championships: 11
National championships: 1

12. Jim Roth
Sport: Football
Record: 499-68-2 (.879)
Years: 40
Primary school: Southern Columbia Area (Catawissa, Pa.)
State championships: 14
National championships: 0

13. MIller Bugliari
Sport: Boys soccer
Record: 935-130-82 (.851)
Years: 64
Primary school: The Pingry School (Martinsville, N.J.)
State championships: 20
National championships: 0

14. Chuck Kyle
Sport: Football
Record: 376-108-1 (.776)
Years: 40
Primary school: St. Ignatius (Cleveland, Ohio)
State championships: 11
National championships: 4

15. Paul Rose
Sport: Boys soccer
Record: 918-126-126 (.838)
Years: 45
Primary school: Jesuit (Carmichael, Calif.)
State championships: 15 (Sac-Joaquin Section championships)
National championships: 2

16. Sue Butz-Stavin
Sport: Girls field hockey
Record: 1015-82-35 (.912)
Years: 46
Primary school: Emmaus (Pa.)
State championships: 14
National championships: 2

17. Ann Schilling
Sport: Girls volleyball
Record: 1,732-444 (.796)
Years: 34
Primary school: Bayside Academy (Daphne, Ala.)
State championships: 28
National championships: 0

18. Gary Rankin
Sport: Football
Record: 486-83-0 (.854)
Years: 42
Primary school: Alcoa (Tenn.)
State championships: 17
National championships: 0

19. Cathy Self-Morgan
Sport: Girls basketball
Record: 1,170-287 (.803)
Years: 42
Primary school: Duncanville (Texas)
State championships: 8
National championships: 3

20. Mike Smith
Sport: Football
Record: 505-97-2 (.838)
Years: 51
Primary school: Hampton (Va.)
State championships: 12
National championships: 2

21. Greg Toal
Sport: Football
Record: 305-55-2 (.845)
Years: 33
Primary school: Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.)
State championships: 15 (Section championships)
National championships: 3

22. Bill Castle
Sport: Football
Record: 474-97-0 (.830)
Years: 47
Primary school: Lakeland (Fla.)
State championships: 8
National championships: 2

23. George Curry
Sport: Football
Record: 454-108-4 (.806)
Years: 46
Primary school: Berwick (Pa.)
State championships: 6
National championships: 3

24. Jack Curran
Sport: Baseball
Record: 1,154-386 (.749)
Years: 54
Primary school: Archbishop Molloy (Queens, N.Y.)
State championships: 17 (City championships)
National championships: 1

25. Wright Bazemore
Sport: Football
Record: 268-51-7 (.833)
Years: 31
Primary school: Valdosta (Ga.)
State championships: 14
National championships: 3

26. Robert Hyland
Sport: Football
Record: 514-116-2 (.815)
Years: 53
Primary school: St. Mary's Springs (Fond du Lac, Wis.)
State championships: 17
National championships: 0

27. Andy Zihlman
Sport: Girls basketball
Record: 1,156-373 (.756)
Years: 44
Primary school: Bishop Lynch (Dallas, Texas)
State championships: 27
National championships: 0

28. Pat Heenehan
Sport: Girls soccer
Record: 724-88-40 (.873)
Years: 39
Primary school: Ramapo (Franklin Lakes, N.J.)
State championships: 13
National championships: 0

29. Larry Campbell
Sport: Football
Record: 477-85-3 (.847)
Years: 42
Primary school: Lincoln County (Lincolnton, Ga.)
State championships: 11
National championships: 0

30. Charles "Corky" Rogers
Sport: Football
Record: 471-84-1 (.848)
Years: 45
Primary school: Bolles (Jacksonville, Fla.)
State championships: 10
National championships: 0

31. Mike Turo
Sport: Baseball
Record: 1,460-240-0 (.859)
Years: 46
Primary school: Monroe Campus (Bronx, N.Y.)
State championships: 9 (City championship)
National championships: 0

32. Freddy Johnson
Sport: Boys Basketball
Record: 1,190-328 (.784)
Years: 48
Primary School: Greensboro Day School (Greensboro, N.C.)
State championships: 12
National championships: 0

33. Maria Nolan
Sport: Girls Volleyball
Record: 1101-116 (.905)
Years: 46
Primary School: Immaculate Heart Academy (Washington Township, N.J.)
State championships: 30
National championships: 0

34. John McKissick
Sport: Football
Record: 620-156-13 (.794)
Years: 63
Primary school: Summerville (S.C.)
State championships: 10
National championships: 0

35. Tommy Knotts
Sport: Football
Record: 476-71-0 (.870)
Years: 40
Primary school: Dutch Fork (Irmo, S.C.)
State championships: 14
National championships: 0

36. Murl Bowen
Sport: Baseball
Record: 1,063-216 (.831)
Years: 40
Primary school: Asher (Okla.)
State championships: 22
National championships: 0

37. Bill Belisle
Sport: Boys ice hockey
Record: 1,000-187-40 (.831)
Years: 42
Primary school: Mount St. Charles Academy (Woonsocket, R.I.)
State championships: 32
National championships: 0

38. Robert Hughes
Sport: Boys basketball
Record: 1,333-265 (.834)
Years: 47
Primary school: Dunbar (Fort Worth, Texas)
State championships: 5
National championships: 0

39. John Herrington
Sport: Football
Record: 440-112-1 (.797)
Years: 49
Primary school: Harrison (Farmington Hills, Mich.)
State championships: 13
National championships: 0

40. Rich Hofman
Sport: Baseball
Record: 1,047-266-0 (.797)
Years: 45
Primary school: Westminster Christian (Miami, Fla.)
State championships: 10
National championships: 2

41. George Smith
Sport: Football
Record: 361-66-0 (.845)
Years: 34
Primary school: St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
State championships: 6
National championships: 2

42. Howie Vogts
Sport: Football
Record: 364-124 10 (.741)
Years: 56
Primary school: Bethpage (N.Y.)
State championships: 16
National championships: 0

43. Barbara Campbell
Sport: Girls volleyball
Record: 1,765-298 (.856)
Years: 33
Primary school: Brentwood (Tenn.)
State championships: 16
National championships: 0

44. Jim Smiddy
Sport: Girls basketball
Record: 1,217-206 (.855)
Years: 46
Primary school: Bradley Central (Cleveland, Tenn.)
State championships: 5
National championships: 2

45. Phil Savitz
Sport: Boys soccer
Record: 824-107-7 (.882)
Years: 44
Primary school: Irmo (Columbia, S.C.)
State championships: 15
National championships: 0

46. Frank Lenti
Sport: Football
Record: 372-77-0 (.829)
Years: 34
Primary school: Chicago Mt. Carmel (Chicago, Ill.)
State championships: 12
National championships: 0

47. Steve Shondell
Sport: Girls volleyball
Record: 1,183-95 (.926)
Years: 34
Primary school: Muncie Burris (Ind.)
State championships: 21
National championships: 1

48. Victor Paternostro
Sport: Football
Record: 373-68-5 (.842)
Years: 43
Primary school: Pope John XXIII (Sparta, N.J.)
State championships: 20
National championships: 0

49. Terry Michler
Sport: Boys soccer
Record: 1,056-313-120 (.749)
Years: 52
Primary school: Christian Brothers (St. Louis, Mo.)
State championships: 9
National championships: 0

50. Lamar Rogers
Sport: Girls basketball
Record: 1,329-318 (.807)
Years: 49
Primary school: Clarkrange (Tenn.)
State championships: 9
National championships: 0

51. Ron Kordes
Sport: Girls volleyball
Record: 1,256-136-0 (.902)
Years: 35
Primary school: Assumption (Louisville, Ky.)
State championships: 23
National championships: 1

52. Glenn Cecchini
Sport: Baseball
Record: 1,050-215 (.831)
Years: 37
Primary school: Barbe (Lake Charles, La.)
State championships: 12
National championships: 2

53. Warren Rutledge
Sport: Boys basketball
Record: 949-334
Years: 43
Primary school: Benedictine (Richmond, Va.)
State championships: 25
National championships: 0

54. G.A. Moore
Sport: Football
Record: 426-92-9 (.817)
Years: 44
Primary school: Celina (Texas)
State championships: 8
National championships: 0

55. Dorothy Gaters
Sport: Girls basketball
Record: 1,153-217 (.842)
Years: 47
Primary school: Marshall (Ill.)
State championships: 10
National Championships: 0

56. Gary Adams
Sport: Softball
Record: 1,043-169 (.861)
Years: 42
Primary school: Crescent (Iva, S.C.)
State championships: 19
National championships: 0

57. Frank Dixon
Sport: Girls soccer
Record: 537-39-43 (.902)
Years: 30
Primary school: Carmel (Ind.)
State championships: 9
National championships: 2

58. Kevin Kiernan
Sport: Girls basketball
Record: 900-122 (.881)
Years: 40
Primary school: Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
State championships: 6
National championships: 2

59. Herb Brogan
Sport: Football
Record: 408-92-0 (.816)
Years: 44
Primary school: Lumen Christi Catholic (Jackson, Mich.)
State championships: 11
National championships: 0

60. Joe Cuozzo
Sport: Boys lacrosse
Record: 747-100 (.882)
Years: 39
Primary school: Ward Melville (East Setauket, N.Y.)
State championships: 7
National championships: 0

61. Billy Jack Bowen
Sport: Baseball
Record: 1,166-194-0 (.857)
Years: 37
Primary school: Silo (Okla.)
State championships: 15
National championships: 0

62. Gene Schultz
Sport: Baseball
Record: 1,578-342-0 (.822)
Years: 46
Primary school: Kee (Lansing, Iowa)
State championships: 11
National championships: 0

63. Gordon Wood
Sport: Football
Record: 394-93-15 (.800)
Years: 44
Primary school: Brownwood (Texas)
State championships: 9
National championships: 0

64. William Kean
Sport: Boys basketball
Record: 856-83 (.912)
Years: 37
Primary school: Central (Louisville, Ky.)
State championships: 5
National championships: 4

65. Steven Racine
Sport: Girls soccer
Record: 593-136-42 (.796)
Years: 30
Primary school: Morris Catholic (Denville, N.J.)
State championships: 11
National championships: 0

66. Paul Moro
Sport: Football
Record: 341-74-0 (.822)
Years: 34
Primary school: Blue Ridge (Lakeside, Ariz.)
State championships: 13
National championships: 0

67. Al Fracassa
Sport: Football
Record: 430-117-7 (.782)
Years: 54
Primary school: Brother Rice (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.)
State championships: 9
National championships: 0

68. John DiBiaso
Sport: Football
Record: 361-84-2 (.810)
Years: 42
Primary school: Everett (Mass.)
State championships: 15
National championships: 0

69. Leta Andrews
Sport: Girls basketball
Record: 1,416-355 (.800)
Years: 53
Primary school: Granbury (Texas)
State championships: 1
National championships: 0

70. Marcia Pinder
Sport: Girls basketball
Record: 996-231 (.812)
Years: 44
Primary school: Dillard (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
State championships: 10
National championships: 0

71. Joel Hawkins
Sport: Boys basketball
Record: 1,071-263 (.803)
Years: 24
Primary school: Southern Lab (Baton Rouge, La.)
State championships: 12
National championships: 0

72. Jack Magelssen
Sport: Girls volleyball
Record: 1,832-350-20 (.837)
Years: 35
Primary school: Portage Northern (Portage, Mich.)
State championships: 10
National championships: 0

73. Seymour Williams
Sport: Football
Record: 284-35-20 (.867)
Years: 34
Primary school: Booker T. Washington (Tulsa, Okla.)
State championships: 19
National championships: 0

74. Richard Duease
Sport: Boys Basketball
Record: 1,240-439-0 (.739)
Years: 49
Primary school: Madison-Ridgeland Academy (Madison, Miss.)
State championships: 13
National championships: 0

75. Charles Smith
Sport: Boys basketball
Record: 1,180-211 (.848)
Years: 40
Primary school: Peabody (Alexandria, La.)
State championships: 8
National championships: 0

76. Tom Mach
Sport: Football
Record: 370-94-0 (.797)
Years: 41
Primary school: Catholic Central (Novi, Mich.)
State championships: 10
National championships: 0

77. Clary Anderson
Sport: Football
Record: 209-23-6 (.891)
Years: 30
Primary school: Montclair (N.J.)
State championships: 17
National championships: 0

78. Stu Vetter
Sport: Boys basketball
Record: 878-113 (.886)
Years: 38
Primary school: Montrose Christian (Rockville, Md.)
State championships: 0 (did not play in state playoffs)
National championships: 3

79. Larry Turner
Sport: Baseball
Record: 1,249-288 (.813)
Years: 41
Primary school: Owasso (Okla.)
State championships: 7
National championships: 0

80. Carlton Flatt
Sport: Football
Record: 355-68-3 (.837)
Years: 34
Primary school: Brentwood Academy (Brentwood, Tenn.)
State championships: 10
National championships: 0

81. Warren Wolf
Sport: Football
Record: 364-129-11 (.733)
Years: 52
Primary school: Brick Township (Brick, N.J.)
State championships: 13
National championships: 0

82. Jodi Manore
Sport: Girls volleyball
Record: 2,225-390-63 (.843)
Years: 39
Primary school: Bedford (Temperance, Mich.)
State championships: 3
National championships: 0

83. Ken Leonard
Sport: Football
Record: 416-81-0 (.837)
Years: 42
Primary school: Sacred Heart-Griffin (Springfield, Ill.)
State championships: 6
National championships: 0

84. Larry Tuttle
Sport: Baseball
Record: 1,332-430-0 (.756)
Years: 41
Primary school: Blissfield (Mich.)
State championships: 7
National championships: 0

85. Wolfgang Weber
Sport: Boys soccer
Record: 741-128-27 (.842)
Years: 42
Primary school: Salpointe Catholic (Tucson, Ariz.)
State championships: 10
National championships: 0

86. Cal Lee
Sport: Football
Record: 296-41-5 (.873)
Years: 39
Primary school: St. Louis (Honolulu, Hawaii)
State championships: 21
National championships: 0

87. Pete Adkins
Sport: Football
Record: 405-60-4 (.868)
Years: 44
Primary school: Jefferson City (Mo.)
State championships: 9
National championships: 0

88. Alton "Red" Franklin
Sport: Football
Record: 365-75-9 (.823)
Years: 35
Primary school: Haynesville (La.)
State championships: 12
National championships: 0

89. Louise Crocco
Sport: Girls volleyball
Record: 1,132-123 (.902)
Years: 39
Primary school: Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
State championships: 16
National championships: 0

90. Jerry English
Sport: Girls basketball
Record: 1,227-261 (.825)
Years: 45
Primary school: Dripping Springs (Texas)
State championships: 2
National championships: 0

91. Randy Allen
Sport: Football
Record: 446-95-6 (.821)
Years: 43
Primary school: Highland Park (Dallas, Texas)
State championships: 2
National championships: 0

92. Phil Danaher
Sport: Football
Record: 490-118-4 (.804)
Years: 48
Primary school: Calallen (Corpus Christi, Texas)
State championships: 0
National championships: 0

93. Bobby Moegle
Sport: Baseball
Record: 1,115-226-0 (.831)
Years: 40
Primary school: Monterey (Lubbock, Texas)
State championships: 4
National championships: 1

94. Larry "Bud" Wright
Sport: Football
Record: 457-213-2 (.682)
Years: 59
Primary school: Sheridan (Ind.)
State championships: 9
National championships: 0

95. Bill Krueger
Sport: Boys basketball
Record: 1,096-250-0 (.814)
Years: 39
Primary school: Clear Lake (Houston, Texas)
State championships: 2
National championships: 0

96. Sue Phillips
Sport: Girls basketball
Record: 819-138 (.856)
Years: 32
Primary school: Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.)
State championships: 6
National championships: 1

97. Nancy Williams
Sport: Field hockey
Record: 839-67-56 (.901)
Years: 43
Primary school: Shore Regional (West Long Branch, N.J.)
State championships: 13
National championships: 0

98. Reno Saccoccia
Sport: Football
Record: 425-85-0 (.833)
Years: 41
Primary school: Steubenville (Ohio)
State championships: 4
National championships: 0

99. Mike Grant
Sport: Football
Record: 387-80-0 (.829)
Years: 41
Primary school: Eden Prairie (Minn.)
State championships: 11
National championships: 0

100. Willie West
Sport: Boys basketball
Record: 802-139 (.852)
Years: 37
Primary school: Crenshaw (Los Angeles, Calif.)
State championships: 8
National championships: 0

101. John Lowery
Sport: Baseball
Record: 1,443-382-3 (.790)
Years: 53
Primary school: Jefferson (Shenandoah Junction, W.Va.)
State championships: 12
National championships: 0

102. John Stevenson
Sport: Baseball
Record: 1,059-419-0 (.717)
Years: 50
Primary school: El Segundo (Calif.)
State championships: 6 (Southern Section championships)
National championships: 1

Note: Adjustments were made to include Freddy Johnson of Greensboro Day School (Greensboro, N.C.) and Maria Nolan of Immaculate Heart Academy (N.J.), who were previously not in the Top 100 due to incomplete data.