12. Butch Davis
David was named the Miami Hurricanes head coach for the 1995 season. He replaced Dennis Erickson who left to become the Head Coach of the Seattle Seahawks. Davis led Miami through outfall of the Pell Grant Scandal and laid the groundwork for the program’s return to dominance.
The Hurricanes were 17-6 in Davis’ first two seasons before the loss of scholarships caught up with them in a 5-6 1997 season. This included a Carquest Bowl victory after the 1996 season.
The Hurricanes bounced back in the 1998 and ’99 seasons going 18-7 with victories in the Micron PC and Gator Bowls at the end of those seasons.
The 2000 season began the return of the Hurricanes dominance. Led by Sophomore Quarterback Ken Dorsey, Miami finished the season 11-1, broke a five-game losing streak to Florida State that began a six-game winning streak against the Seminoles.
Miami finished the 2000 season ranked second in the national polls, but would finish third in the BCS Standings, percentage points in the computer behind the Seminoles. There was an outcry that Miami belonged in the BCS Championship game, but fourth-ranked Washington had beaten Miami.
Davis left following the 2000 season to become the Head Coach of the Cleveland Browns. He thus became the almost unheard of third straight Miami coach to leave for the NFL. Davis left behind what many claims is the most talented team in college football history.
Offensive Coordinator Larry Coker succeeded Coker and led the Hurricanes to the 2001 National Championship and were only a bad call away from repeating in 2002. Davis finished his tenure at Miami with a 51-20 record and is the only coach to not lose a bowl game with the Hurricanes with three or more appearances.