Mount Rushmore of gopher coaches

[swede2]

Another thread triggered this question to me.
I feel it will be nearly unanimous for two.
I feel a third SHOULD be unanimous but he may be discounted due to his era.
No idea who the fourth is.

Unanimous
Bierman
Nearly unanimous:
Warmath
Probably should be unanimous
Williams


Who is number 4

Maybe four is too many for this program and reference ought to be made to Stone Mountain instead of Mount Rushmore.

 

[bonin21]

Brewster
Brewster
Brewster
Brewster

Melt that big rock with four times the steamin hot chili

 

[caliGopher]

Maybe four is too many for this program and reference ought to be made to Stone Mountain instead of Mount Rushmore.

I'd have to agree with this.

Some perspective on the relative performance of the coaches. I keep seeing FACTS presented to make a case for Fleck. Those FACTS have some factual context that should be considered as well.

To set this up. All results are conference games only and include both the raw results and how teams fared against the schedule without the head-to-head games against the Gophers. Claeys totals include the 5 conf. games he coached in 2015. The 2020 season is not included in Fleck’s totals.

In summary:

Glen Mason:
10 seasons as coach
Average conf. wins the four seasons before taking over: 1.5
B1G Record: 32 -48
Overall Winning Percentage of Opponents: .533
Winning Percentage minus results vs. Gophers: .523
Overall percentage of ranked teams played: 42.5% (5 seasons of 50%)
Seasons playing the B1G champion: 10 of 10*
*1998 all three teams tied for the championship, 2000 - 2 of 3 teams tied for the championship, 2002 - both teams tied for the championship, 2004 - both teams tied for the championship, 2005 - both teams tied for the championship

Tim Brewster:
4 Seasons as Coach
Average conf. wins the four seasons before taking over: 3.75
B1G Record: 8 - 24
Overall Winning Percentage of Opponents: .555
Winning Percentage minus results vs. Gophers: .545
Overall percentage of ranked teams played: .313
Seasons playing the B1G champion: 4 fo 4*
*2008 one of two champions, 2010 all three champions


Jerry Kill:
4+ seasons as Coach
Average conf. wins the four seasons before taking over: 2
B1G Record: 14 - 21
Overall Winning Percentage of Opponents: .525
Winning Percentage minus results vs. Gophers: .511
Overall percentage of ranked teams played: 37.1% (2 seasons of 50%)
Seasons playing the B1G champion: 4 of 4


Tracy Claeys:
1+ Seasons as coach
Average conf. wins the four seasons before taking over: 3.25
B1G Record: 6-8
Overall Winning Percentage of Opponents: .469
Winning Percentage minus results vs. Gophers: .452
Overall percentage of ranked teams played: 35.7%
Seasons playing the B1G champion: 1-2

PJ Fleck:
9 Seasons as a coach, only 8 included in this look because, Covid.
Average conf. wins the four seasons before taking over: 4
B1G Record: 36 - 36
Overall Winning Percentage of Opponents: .486
Winning Percentage minus results vs. Gophers: .484
Overall percentage of ranked teams played: 30.6%
Seasons playing the B1G champion: 3 of 8