Factoid 42 - College Football from 1980 to 1989

The 1980s was the first decade when no school would start a football program and join Division 1.

This decade would see 16 schools claim a national title through one poll or another: Michigan; Pittsburgh; Auburn; Texas; Oklahoma; Notre Dame; Washington; Georgia; SMU; Florida State; Nebraska; Clemson; Penn State; Miami; BYU; and Florida.

Two schools would dominate the decade: Miami and Nebraska. Each would win five titles through one poll or another. Miami truly came in to play as a national powerhouse, dominating like it had never before. Interestingly, they did this with three different coaches: Howard Schnellenberger; Jimmy Johnson; and Dennis Erickson.

Legendary coach and all time national championship leader, having won more national championships than any other coach, Bear Bryant retired from the University of Alabama after the 1982 season. Coaching was his life; a few weeks after he retired he passed away from a heart attack. It is doubtful that college football will ever see such a legendary coach again as the pressure of the game, the call to the NFL, and big money (but less stress) can also be found working in the media.