It's not Joe Paterno, Bobby Bowden, Knute Rockne or Woody Hayes.
In fact, most college football fans don't even know the name of the man who, with a remarkable 453 wins, has established himself as the most incredibly successful college football coach of all time. That's because John Gagliardi has spent almost his entire career at tiny, Division III St. John's College in Minnesota. Gagliardi arrived there in 1953 and, as of the end of the 2008 season, had compiled a total record of 461-125-11, which includes four years spent at Carroll College at the start of his career. Gagliardi has more than 50 more wins than his nearest rival, Grambling State's Eddie Robinson.
Below, we take a look at the 10 winningest college football coaches of all time -- ranked by total wins, not winning percentage -- at any level. Those coaches marked with an asterisk remain active.
*1. John Gagliardi, Carroll College/St. John's College (1949-2008): 461-125-11
2. Eddie Robinson, Grambling State (1941-1997): 408-168-15
*3. Joe Paterno, Penn State (1966-2008): 383-127-3
*4. Bobby Bowden, Samford/West Virginia/Florida State (1959-2008): 382-123-4
5. Amos Alonzo Stagg, Springfield College/Chicago/Pacific (1892-1946): 329-190-35
6. Paul W. "Bear" Bryant, Maryland/Kentucky/Texas A&M/Alabama (1945-1982): 323-85-17
7. Glenn Scobey "Pop" Warner, Georgia/Cornell/Carlisle/Pitt/Stanford/Temple (1895-1938): 318-106-32
8. Roy Kidd, Eastern Kentucky (1964-2002): 314-124-8
9. Forrest "Frosty" Westering, Parsons College/Lea College/Pacific Lutheran (1962-2003): 302-96-7
10 Harold R. "Tubby" Raymond, Delaware (1966-2001): 300-119-3
