BYU Hall of Fame Head Coach LaVell Edwards

A coaching icon, whose success and longevity are paralleled by few, LaVell Edwards guided Brigham Young to heights never before reached in the program’s illustrious history. For 29 seasons, Edwards roamed the sidelines at BYU, a tenure that ranks him fifth all-time for coaches at one school. He won 19 conference titles during his tenure. 

Guiding BYU to 22 bowl game appearances, winning seven, Edwards reached the pinnacle of coaching success in 1984 by winning the national championship. His 257 wins rank him seventh in NCAA Division I-A history, and he has more victories than every other coach in BYU history combined.

At the helm, Edwards has compiled a program best .716 win percentage, coached one Heisman Trophy winner, two Outland Trophy recipients, four Davey O’Brien awardees and 31 All-Americas and four College Football Hall of Famers. BYU’s success didn’t come without personal reward for Edwards either. He was named NCAA District 8 Coach of the Year eight times, Bobby Dodd National Coach of the Year in 1979 and AFCA National Coach of the Year in 1984.

Edwards passed away at the age of 86 on Dec. 29, 2016, surrounded by his family in Provo. 

Career Highlights

  • Paul "Bear" Bryant Lifetime Achievement Award (2013)
  • College Football Hall of Fame inductee (2004)
  • State of Utah’s Coach of the Century
  • State of Utah Sports Hall of Fame
  • BYU Hall of Fame
  • Football stadium named LaVell Edwards Stadium in his honor
  • 6th all-time among FBS head coaches with 257 wins
  • Football Bowl Association Champions Award (2011)
  • NCFAA Contributions to College Football Award (2009)
  • Amos Alonzo Stagg Award (2003)
  • Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year (1984)
  • Kodak Coach of the Year (1984)
  • AFCA Coach of the Year (1984)
  • Boddy Dodd Coach of the Year (1979)
  • National Championship (1984)
  • Five former players also in College Football Hall of Fame
  • Players coached won a Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award, Doak Walker Award, seven Sammy Baugh Trophies, four Davey O'Brien trophies and two Outland Trophies
  • 19 conference championships
  • 22 bowl games
  • 6 All-American quarterbacks
  • 257-101-3 overall record
Winningest FBS Football Coaches
Name Years Wins Losses Ties Pct.
1. Joe Paterno 45 409 136 3 .749
2. Bobby Bowden 44 377 129 4 .743
3. Bear Bryant 38 323 85 17 .780
4. Pop Warner 44 319 106 32 .733
5. Amos Alonzo Stagg 57 314 199 35 .605
6. Frank Beamer 35 278 144 4 .657
7. LaVell Edwards 29 257 101 3 .722
8. Tom Osborne 25 255 49 3 .836
9. Lou Holtz 31 239 118 7 .669
10. Woody Hayes 33 238 72 10 .759