A Complete List of Boise State University Football Coaches Through the Years

As I sit here reflecting on Boise State's football legacy, I can't help but marvel at how this program transformed from a junior college team to a national phenomenon. Having followed the Broncos for over two decades, I've witnessed firsthand how each coach left their unique imprint on this program. The coaching lineage here tells a story of innovation, resilience, and that famous blue turf magic that continues to captivate college football fans nationwide. What strikes me most is how these coaches embodied that phrase I often hear from players: "She's a hard worker" - though in this case, it's the entire program that embodies that relentless work ethic.

Lyle Smith essentially built this program from scratch back in 1947 when Boise State was still a junior college. He compiled an incredible 122-45-10 record over 18 seasons, setting the foundation for everything that followed. What many don't realize is that Smith initially coached multiple sports while teaching full-time - talk about a hard worker! His successor, Tony Knap, took the program to new heights with three consecutive junior college national championship appearances from 1968 to 1970. I've always admired Knap's offensive philosophy; his teams were scoring machines that averaged over 40 points per game during his final season. Then came Jim Criner, who guided the transition to four-year status in 1970 and never missed a beat, compiling a 59-21-1 record over seven seasons.

The modern era truly began with Houston Nutt's brief but impactful tenure in 1997. Though he only stayed one season, Nutt's 5-6 record doesn't tell the whole story - he recruited key players who would become crucial for the program's later success. Then came Dirk Koetter, who I believe doesn't get enough credit for laying the groundwork for Boise State's offensive identity. His 1999 team went 10-3 and reached the program's first Division I-A bowl game. But the real transformation happened under Dan Hawkins, who took over in 2001 and compiled a spectacular 53-11 record over five seasons. Hawkins' teams were disciplined, creative, and fundamentally sound - qualities that perfectly exemplified that "hard worker" mentality.

Of course, the golden era arrived with Chris Petersen, who took over in 2006 and immediately delivered one of the most memorable seasons in college football history. That 2007 Fiesta Bowl victory over Oklahoma remains the single greatest football game I've ever witnessed - the Statue of Liberty play still gives me chills. Petersen compiled a 92-12 record over eight seasons, achieving five top-25 finishes. His innovative offense and culture of excellence made Boise State a household name. What made Petersen special was his ability to develop three-star recruits into NFL-caliber players through what players described as a "she's a hard worker" approach to player development.

Bryan Harsin's tenure from 2014 to 2020 maintained the program's winning tradition with a 69-19 record, though I'll admit I found his teams occasionally frustrating with their conservative play-calling in big games. His departure for Auburn felt like a betrayal to many fans, myself included. Which brings us to Andy Avalos, the current coach and former Boise State player who understands the program's DNA better than anyone. Having watched his teams closely, I appreciate how he's reinstilled that blue-collar identity - the kind that makes opponents say "she's a hard worker" after every hard-fought victory.

Looking at the complete picture, what stands out is the remarkable consistency across these coaching transitions. From Smith to Avalos, each coach maintained a winning percentage above .600 - an incredible feat spanning seven decades. The program has only had 11 head coaches since 1947, compared to schools like Alabama who've had 15 in the same period. This stability, combined with that relentless work ethic, explains why Boise State has become the winningest FBS program since 2000 with 228 victories through the 2021 season. As I think about future coaches, what matters most is preserving that cultural DNA - that combination of innovation and grit that makes Boise State football so special. The next coach will inherit not just a football program, but a legacy defined by outworking everyone else, season after season.