Oklahoma softball: Where does Patty Gasso rank on the all-time college sports coaching debate?

OU head coach Patty Gasso stands on the field during the second game of the Women's College World Series finals between Oklahoma (OU) and Florida State at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City on Thursday, June 8, 2023.
OU head coach Patty Gasso stands on the field during the second game of the Women's College World Series finals between Oklahoma (OU) and Florida State at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City on Thursday, June 8, 2023.
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Nick Saban – Alabama Football

TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA – NOVEMBER 26: ead coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks on during pregame warmups prior to facing the Auburn Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 26, 2022 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA – NOVEMBER 26: ead coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks on during pregame warmups prior to facing the Auburn Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 26, 2022 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Saban has navigated a world of college football over the last 20 years that has never been seen in any sport before. Recruiting advances/changes, NIL, transfer portal, and the sheer amount of athletic acceleration have grown college football at the same pace as technology. What has Saban done while the college football world has been growing, changing, and advancing all around him? He’s built the greatest dynasty in college football history.

Nick Saban’s career record is 280-69-1. He’s been the head coach at Michigan State, LSU, and now Alabama. Over his career, Saban has won 7 National titles, 10 SEC titles, and 19 bowl games. Saban’s dominant run continues to transverse the ever-changing world of college football. As teams have come and gone, the one thing all-powerful college football teams have had to compete with, at one time or another, was Nick Saban.

Another remarkable feat that often goes un-talked about with college coaching greatness is their coaching tree. Saban has had assistants including current Georgia coach and two-time National Champion Kirby Smart, A&M coach Jimbo Fisher.. also a National Champ head coach at Florida State, Will Muschamp, Mark Dantonio, Lane Kiffen, Mel Tucker, Steve Sarkisian, and several NFL coaches as well.

Saban is the best to ever do it in college football, and nobody is even close. But there’s one college sports coach that has him beat.