Tony's Take is a monthly Mountaineer sports column written by veteran West Virginia University play-by-play man Tony Caridi.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - What if I told you the state of West Virginia can lay claim to an accomplishment that no other state can when it comes to college football. It's a mark that's so West Virginia and at the same time so amazing.
We often joke that no matter where you go, there's always a West Virginia connection. Not only is it a great day to be a Mountaineer wherever you may be, chances are there's a Mountaineer wherever you may be.
This past week, ESPN released its list of the 150 greatest coaches in college football history. A blue-ribbon panel composed of 150 media members, administrators, former players and coaches came together to determine the best ever to walk the sideline.
A quick review of the group's final selections has names you would expect to see including former WVU coaches Bobby Bowden (8
th) and Don Nehlen (79
th).
There are seven West Virginia natives on the list: Nick Saban (2
nd), John McKay (12
th), Fielding Yost (18
th), Lou Holtz (23
rd), Arnett (Ace) Mumford (34
th), Ben Schwartzwalder (41
st) and Jimbo Fisher (110
th).
All totaled, that group produced an impressive 25 national championships. That by itself is a significant accomplishment for a state of less than two million people. However, there's something even more impressive.
Twenty-three of those national championships were produced by West Virginians who were born in four contiguous counties. Give up it for Monongalia, Marion, Harrison and Upshur. We may have just discovered the gene pool for college football's true coaching cradle.
Here's the breakdown:
| Coach |
School |
Birthplace |
County |
Titles |
| John McKay |
USC |
Everette |
Monongalia |
4 |
| Fielding Yost |
Michigan |
Fairview |
Marion |
6 |
| Nick Saban |
Alabama, LSU |
Fairmont |
Marion |
6 |
| Jimbo Fisher |
Florida State |
Clarksburg |
Harrison |
1 |
| Ace Mumford |
Texas College, Southern |
Buckhannon |
Upshur |
6 |
The least known of the group is Mumford, who won six Black College football national championships. In October 2016, the city of Buckhannon erected a plaque at the lot of his childhood home. He's considered a coaching trailblazer and is a member of eight different halls of fame.
Think about that - five coaches from four north-central counties have produced 23 national titles. It's truly an amazing feat and gives the state of West Virginia a significant legacy in the history of college football.
