Top 25
16-41-1
- Games
- 58
- Win rate
- 28.4%
Back to Coaches
Peak DominatorBalancedLong Career
Coach Profile
Earle Bruce
1973-1992 • Colorado State, Iowa State, Ohio State
3 schools coached, anchored by Ohio State.
Earle Bruce coached 19 seasons, won 62.8%, and posted an average SRS of 10.1. Best season: 1979 Ohio State. The profile was balanced with a highly volatile profile. 3 stints shaped the career arc.
- Career record
- 139-82-2
- Career win rate
- 62.8%
- Average SRS
- 10.1
- Peak SRS
- 24.9
Career Dossier
One glance at the full arc.
The profile below keeps the headline numbers visible, then moves into tenure shape, school impact, and full season detail.
- Seasons coached
- 19
- Career span
- 20 years
- Best finish
- #4
- Consistency
- 25.2
Primary school anchor
Ohio State
Balanced profile with 3 program stops and a peak score of 92.3.
Career Arc
Track how the coach's season-to-season performance changed over time, where the peak landed, and where each school stint appears.
Focus on where peaks separate, where floors hold, and how the shape of each career changed over time.
Earle Bruce
EliteStrongAverageLean
Earle Bruce: 1979 Ohio StateEarle Bruce: 1989 Colorado State
1973Actual season year • SRS range -10.6 to 24.91992
Active comparison point
Earle Bruce • 1979
1979 Ohio State
Best seasonBiggest improvementNew stop: Ohio State11-1 • SRS 24.9 • SP Overall 24.0
Win %
91.7%
YoY SRS
+17.0
SP Off / Def
37.2 / 14.1
Finish
#4
Comparison context
Focus a point to inspect how it stacks up against the rest of the field.
Ranked opponent record
Track career record against ranked opponents with switchable poll source and ranking timing.
Using AP Top 25 rankings at the time of each game; week-one games use the week-one ranking release when available.
Top 10
3-21-1
- Games
- 25
- Win rate
- 14.0%
Top 5
1-11
- Games
- 12
- Win rate
- 8.3%
View ranked game results58
| 1992 Regular Week 2 | Colorado State | Colorado | #12 | L17-37 |
| 1991 Regular Week 3 | Colorado State | Nebraska | #13 | L14-71 |
| 1990 Regular Week 11 | Colorado State | Wyoming | #25 | W17-8 |
| 1990 Regular Week 8 | Colorado State | BYU | #12 | L9-52 |
| 1990 Regular Week 6 | Colorado State | Arkansas | #21 | L20-31 |
| 1990 Regular Week 4 | Colorado State | Arizona State | #23 | L20-31 |
| 1989 Regular Week 7 | Colorado State | BYU | #25 | L16-45 |
| 1989 Regular Week 5 | Colorado State | Air Force | #24 | L21-46 |
| 1989 Regular Week 2 | Colorado State | Colorado | #9 | L20-45 |
| 1987 Regular Week 12 | Ohio State | Iowa | #18 | L27-29 |
| 1987 Regular Week 10 | Ohio State | Michigan State | #15 | L7-13 |
| 1987 Regular Week 7 | Ohio State | Indiana | #20 | L10-31 |
| 1987 Regular Week 5 | Ohio State | LSU | #7 | T13-13 |
| 1986 Regular Week 13 | Ohio State | Michigan | #4 | L24-26 |
| 1986 Regular Week 10 | Ohio State | Iowa | #16 | W31-10 |
| 1986 Regular Week 3 | Ohio State | Washington | #7 | L7-40 |
| 1986 Postseason Week 1 | Ohio State | Texas A&M | #13 | W28-12 |
| 1985 Regular Week 13 | Ohio State | Michigan | #6 | L17-27 |
| 1985 Regular Week 10 | Ohio State | Iowa | #1 | W22-13 |
| 1985 Regular Week 9 | Ohio State | Minnesota | #20 | W23-19 |
| 1985 Postseason Week 1 | Ohio State | BYU | #16 | W10-7 |
| 1984 Regular Week 7 | Ohio State | Purdue | #14 | L23-28 |
| 1984 Postseason Week 1 | Ohio State | USC | #10 | L17-20 |
| 1983 Regular Week 13 | Ohio State | Michigan | #8 | L21-24 |
| 1983 Regular Week 8 | Ohio State | Illinois | #11 | L13-17 |
| 1983 Regular Week 5 | Ohio State | Iowa | #4 | L14-20 |
| 1983 Regular Week 4 | Ohio State | Oklahoma | #8 | W24-14 |
| 1983 Postseason Week 1 | Ohio State | Pittsburgh | #18 | W28-23 |
| 1982 Regular Week 12 | Ohio State | Michigan | #13 | W24-14 |
| 1982 Regular Week 7 | Ohio State | Illinois | #15 | W26-21 |
| 1981 Regular Week 12 | Ohio State | Michigan | #7 | W14-9 |
| 1980 Regular Week 13 | Ohio State | Michigan | #7 | L3-9 |
| 1980 Regular Week 6 | Ohio State | UCLA | #5 | L0-17 |
| 1980 Postseason Week 1 | Ohio State | Penn State | #8 | L19-31 |
| 1979 Regular Week 12 | Ohio State | Michigan | #16 | W18-15 |
| 1979 Postseason Week 1 | Ohio State | USC | #2 | L16-17 |
| 1978 Regular Week 8 | Iowa State | Oklahoma | #1 | L6-34 |
| 1978 Regular Week 7 | Iowa State | Missouri | #13 | L13-26 |
| 1978 Regular Week 6 | Iowa State | Nebraska | #8 | L0-23 |
| 1978 Postseason Week 1 | Iowa State | Texas A&M | #19 | L12-28 |
| 1977 Regular Week 8 | Iowa State | Oklahoma | #4 | L16-35 |
| 1977 Regular Week 7 | Iowa State | Nebraska | #18 | W24-21 |
| 1976 Regular Week 12 | Iowa State | Oklahoma State | #14 | L21-42 |
| 1976 Regular Week 11 | Iowa State | Nebraska | #12 | W37-28 |
| 1976 Regular Week 8 | Iowa State | Colorado | #19 | L14-33 |
| 1976 Regular Week 7 | Iowa State | Missouri | #17 | W21-17 |
| 1976 Regular Week 5 | Iowa State | Oklahoma | #3 | L10-24 |
| 1975 Regular Week 11 | Iowa State | Nebraska | #2 | L0-52 |
| 1975 Regular Week 10 | Iowa State | Missouri | #19 | L14-44 |
| 1975 Regular Week 9 | Iowa State | Colorado | #16 | L27-28 |
| 1975 Regular Week 8 | Iowa State | Oklahoma | #2 | L7-39 |
| 1975 Regular Week 2 | Iowa State | UCLA | #16 | L21-37 |
| 1974 Regular Week 10 | Iowa State | Nebraska | #9 | L13-23 |
| 1974 Regular Week 9 | Iowa State | Oklahoma | #2 | L10-28 |
| 1973 Regular Week 12 | Iowa State | Missouri | #19 | W17-7 |
| 1973 Regular Week 11 | Iowa State | Nebraska | #10 | L7-31 |
| 1973 Regular Week 10 | Iowa State | Oklahoma | #3 | L17-34 |
| 1973 Regular Week 6 | Iowa State | Colorado | #17 | L16-23 |
Tenure map
Each stint expands by seasons coached. Deeper color signals a stronger average SRS over that stretch.
Length = seasons coachedDeeper color = stronger stint
Colorado State
1989-1992 • 4 seasons
Avg SRS -3.0 • Win % 47.9%
Ohio State
1979-1987 • 9 seasons
Avg SRS 15.7 • Win % 75.5%
Iowa State
1973-1978 • 6 seasons
Avg SRS 10.6 • Win % 52.9%
- Longest tenure
- Ohio State • 9 seasons
- Best tenure
- Ohio State • 15.7 SRS
- Best tenure win rate
- Ohio State • 75.5%
Style and Strength Profile
Compare strength, identity, steadiness, and ceiling through normalized bars with raw SP and SRS context underneath.
These bars are normalized against the full coach dataset. Raw SP and SRS values stay visible so the profile reads as evidence, not decoration.
Overall Strength
Start with total quality before splitting style and variance.
Earle Bruce sets the reference point in overall strength.
Overall Strength
Decisive edgeEarle Bruce sets the reference point in overall strength.
Normalized score; raw SP overall stays underneath for reference.
Earle Bruce
Elite
- Raw avg SP Overall
- 11.3
- Percentile
- 88th pct
Elite
Normalized against the full tracked coach pool.
Impact by school
See how each stint compared with what that program usually looked like outside that same span.
Colorado State
1989-1992 • 22-24-1
Compared with this school's baseline outside that stint over the prior 5 seasons (5 baseline seasons found).
Avg SRS -3.0Win % 47.9%
Avg wins
Higher is better
5.5 during vs 3.2 baseline
+2.3
Avg SRS
Higher is better
-3.0 during vs -7.3 baseline
+4.3
Avg SP Overall
Higher is better
-0.5 during vs -6.7 baseline
+6.2
Ranked finish rate
Higher is better
0.0% during vs 0.0% baseline
+0.0%
Ohio State
1979-1987 • 81-26-1
Compared with this school's baseline outside that stint over the prior 5 seasons (5 baseline seasons found).
Avg SRS 15.7Win % 75.5%
Avg wins
Higher is better
9.0 during vs 9.2 baseline
-0.2
Avg SRS
Higher is better
15.7 during vs 23.2 baseline
-7.5
Avg SP Overall
Higher is better
17.8 during vs 22.5 baseline
-4.7
Ranked finish rate
Higher is better
88.9% during vs 80.0% baseline
+8.9%
Iowa State
1973-1978 • 36-32
Compared with this school's baseline outside that stint over the prior 5 seasons (5 baseline seasons found).
Avg SRS 10.6Win % 52.9%
Avg wins
Higher is better
6.0 during vs 4.8 baseline
+1.2
Avg SRS
Higher is better
10.6 during vs 8.5 baseline
+2.0
Avg SP Overall
Higher is better
9.4 during vs 14.7 baseline
-5.2
Ranked finish rate
Higher is better
16.7% during vs 0.0% baseline
+16.7%
Career highs and lows
High Points
Best Season
Ohio State 1979
11-1 • SRS 24.9
Biggest Improvement
Ohio State 1979
11-1 • 17.0 SRS
Best Offensive Season
Colorado State 1989
5-5-1 • SP Off 40.5
Best Defensive Season
Ohio State 1979
11-1 • SP Def 14.1
Setbacks
Worst Season
Colorado State 1991
3-8 • SRS -10.6
Biggest Drop
Colorado State 1991
3-8 • -11.6 SRS
Season-by-season results
Full transparency into every season in the coaching record. Positive YoY values indicate improvement from the prior season.
| Colorado State | 1992 | 12 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 41.7% | — | — | -6.1 | -5.6 | 27.8 | 33.2 | +4.5 | +14.4% |
| Colorado State | 1991 | 11 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 27.3% | — | — | -10.6 | -10.6 | 31.2 | 39.1 | -11.6 | -42.0% |
| Colorado State | 1990 | 13 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 69.2% | — | — | 1.0 | 3.1 | 33.3 | 31.8 | -2.8 | +19.2% |
| Colorado State | 1989 | 11 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 50.0% | — | — | 3.8 | 11.1 | 40.5 | 32.3 | -5.1 | -9.1% |
| Ohio State | 1987 | 11 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 59.1% | #4 | — | 8.9 | 12.8 | 28.1 | 15.6 | -6.5 | -17.8% |
| Ohio State | 1986 | 13 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 76.9% | #9 | #7 | 15.4 | 19.9 | 33.5 | 14.4 | +0.2 | +1.9% |
| Ohio State | 1985 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 75.0% | #8 | #14 | 15.2 | 19.9 | 36.1 | 17.7 | +0.4 | 0.0% |
| Ohio State | 1984 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 75.0% | #7 | #13 | 14.8 | 16.6 | 37.4 | 22.7 | -0.6 | 0.0% |
| Ohio State | 1983 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 75.0% | #9 | #9 | 15.4 | 17.8 | 39.2 | 23.4 | -1.4 | 0.0% |
| Ohio State | 1982 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 75.0% | #14 | #12 | 16.8 | 17.9 | 35.9 | 19.8 | +6.3 | 0.0% |
| Ohio State | 1981 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 75.0% | #11 | #15 | 10.5 | 11.8 | 37.8 | 27.8 | -8.8 | 0.0% |
| Ohio State | 1980 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 75.0% | #1 | #15 | 19.3 | 19.5 | 37.7 | 19.6 | -5.6 | -16.7% |
| Ohio State | 1979 | 12 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 91.7% | — | #4 | 24.9 | 24.0 | 37.2 | 14.1 | +17.0 | +25.0% |
| Iowa State | 1978 | 12 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 66.7% | #20 | — | 7.9 | 3.2 | 21.3 | 18.8 | -4.8 | 0.0% |
| Iowa State | 1977 | 12 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 66.7% | — | — | 12.7 | 12.6 | 27.5 | 15.5 | -4.9 | -6.1% |
| Iowa State | 1976 | 11 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 72.7% | — | #19 | 17.6 | 19.1 | 40.3 | 24.1 | +14.8 | +36.4% |
| Iowa State | 1975 | 11 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 36.4% | — | — | 2.8 | -2.0 | 22.3 | 24.3 | -6.2 | 0.0% |
| Iowa State | 1974 | 11 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 36.4% | — | — | 9.0 | 10.8 | 25.7 | 15.6 | -4.3 | 0.0% |
| Iowa State | 1973 | 11 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 36.4% | — | — | 13.3 | 13.0 | 32.3 | 20.2 | — | — |
Similar coaches
Related profiles are matched by style, strength band, volatility band, peak range, and career length.
Wallace Butts
same balanced identity • avg SRS within 0.6
Avg SRS 9.6 • Peak SRS 26.0 • 22 seasons
Best finish #2 • Volatility 8.7
Open profile →Gary Patterson
same balanced identity • avg SRS within 0.4
Avg SRS 9.8 • Peak SRS 26.8 • 22 seasons
Best finish #2 • Volatility 8.1
Open profile →Brian Kelly
same balanced identity • avg SRS within 0.2
Avg SRS 10.3 • Peak SRS 22.0 • 23 seasons
Best finish #4 • Volatility 9.5
Open profile →Bret Bielema
same balanced identity • avg SRS within 1.4
Avg SRS 8.7 • Peak SRS 23.1 • 17 seasons
Best finish #7 • Volatility 7.8
Open profile →Murray Warmath
same balanced identity • avg SRS within 0.4
Avg SRS 10.5 • Peak SRS 22.9 • 20 seasons
Best finish #1 • Volatility 6.6
Open profile →Bo McMillin
same balanced identity • volatility within 0.0
Avg SRS 7.7 • Peak SRS 25.9 • 20 seasons
Best finish #4 • Volatility 8.6
Open profile →