Discover the career path of Hayden Fry, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
John Hayden Fry was a prominent American college football coach and player. He held head coaching positions at Southern Methodist University (SMU), North Texas State University, and most notably, the University of Iowa, where he coached from 1979 to 1998. Fry amassed a career coaching record of 232–178–10. He also played college football at Baylor University. His contributions to the sport led to his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003.
1946: State Championship at Odessa High School
In 1946, Hayden Fry led Odessa High School to the Texas state high school championship, earning all-state honors as a quarterback.
Share
1947: Played at Baylor University
In 1947, Hayden Fry began playing football at Baylor University.
Share
1950: Baylor University Football
From 1947 to 1950, Baylor had a 26-13-2 record during Fry's four years playing there.
Share
1951: Graduation from Baylor
In 1951, Hayden Fry graduated from Baylor University with a degree in psychology.
Share
1951: Teacher and Assistant Coach at Odessa High School
In 1951, Hayden Fry worked as an American history teacher and assistant football coach at Odessa High School.
Share
1952: Joined the U.S. Marine Corps
In 1952, Hayden Fry joined the U.S. Marine Corps.
Share
1953: Marine Corps Championship
In 1953, Hayden Fry played with the Quantico Marines football team, winning the Marine Corps championship and playing in the Poinsettia Bowl.
Share
February 1955: Discharged from Marines
In February 1955, Hayden Fry was discharged from the Marines with the rank of captain.
Share
1955: Returned to Odessa High School
In 1955, Hayden Fry returned to Odessa as a teacher and assistant football coach and later became head coach.
Share
1958: Assistant Coach at Baylor
After the 1958 season, Hayden Fry was hired as an assistant coach at Baylor.
Share
1960: Gator Bowl
In 1960, Baylor finished the year with a one-point loss to Florida in the Gator Bowl. Fry's secondary led the nation in pass defense.
Share
1961: Assistant Coach at Arkansas
In 1961, Hayden Fry was the offensive backfield coach at Arkansas.
Share
1962: Head Coach at SMU
In 1962, Hayden Fry became the head football coach at Southern Methodist University (SMU).
Share
1962: Head Coach at Southern Methodist University
In 1962, Hayden Fry was hired as the head football coach at Southern Methodist University (SMU).
Share
1967: LeVias all-conference selection
In 1967, SMU had a down year, but Jerry LeVias was again an all-conference selection.
Share
1969: Start of Down Years
From 1969 to 1971, Fry's Mustangs had a 12-20 record, jeopardizing Fry's job.
Share
1971: Start of Down Years
From 1969 to 1971, Fry's Mustangs had a 12-20 record, jeopardizing Fry's job.
Share
1972: Fired from SMU
In 1972, after a 7-4 season, Hayden Fry was fired from his position as head coach at SMU.
Share
1972: Fired from SMU
In 1972, after a 7–4 season, Hayden Fry was fired at SMU, preventing the Mustangs from a bowl berth.
Share
1973: Hired as Coach and AD at North Texas State
Before the 1973 season, Hayden Fry was hired as the coach and athletic director at North Texas State University and won a share of the Missouri Valley Conference title.
Share
1973: Turned North Texas' Program Around
From 1973 to 1978, Hayden Fry compiled a 40-23-3 record over six seasons, turning North Texas' program around.
Share
1973: Head Coach at North Texas State
In 1973, Hayden Fry became the head coach at North Texas State University.
Share
1978: Hired as Iowa's Head Football Coach
After the 1978 season, Hayden Fry was hired as Iowa's 25th head football coach.
Share
1978: Successful Seasons at North Texas
From 1973 to 1978, Hayden Fry compiled a 40-23-3 record over six seasons, turning North Texas' program around.
Share
1978: Hired by University of Iowa
In 1978, Hayden Fry was hired as the head football coach at the University of Iowa.
Share
1981: Beginning of Successful Period for Iowa Football
From 1981 to 1991, Iowa's football program experienced a period of significant success under Hayden Fry, marked by high winning percentages, numerous bowl game appearances, and Big Ten titles.
Share
1983: Gator Bowl Invitation
In 1983, Iowa's Hawkeyes had a 9-2 record overall and a 7-2 mark in the Big Ten, earning an invitation to the Gator Bowl.
Share
1985: Big Ten Title
In 1985, Iowa won its first outright Big Ten title in 27 years and secured Fry's second Rose Bowl berth and a top ten final ranking.
Share
1986: Winningest Coach in Hawkeye History
In 1986, a win over Iowa State was Fry's 53rd at Iowa, vaulting him past Forest Evashevski to become the winningest coach in Hawkeye history.
Share
1988: Fry's tenth season at Iowa
In 1988, Hayden Fry marked his tenth season at Iowa, becoming the first coach to lead the Hawkeyes for a decade. The team finished with a 6–3–3 record and played in the 1988 Peach Bowl, marking their eighth consecutive bowl game appearance. This season was also the 100th anniversary of Iowa football.
Share
1989: Jim Leavitt Hired as Grad Assistant
In 1989, Jim Leavitt was hired as a graduate assistant coach at Iowa, giving him one of his first breaks in college football.
Share
1990: Third Big Ten Title and Rose Bowl Berth
In 1990, Hayden Fry secured his third Big Ten Conference title and Rose Bowl berth for Iowa. Despite a loss to Minnesota, Iowa earned the Rose Bowl trip due to regular-season victories over other top contenders.
Share
1991: End of Iowa's successful football run
From 1981 to 1991, Iowa's football program experienced a period of significant success under Hayden Fry, marked by high winning percentages, numerous bowl game appearances, and Big Ten titles.
Share
1991: Tying school record for wins and Fry's 100th victory at Iowa
In 1991, Iowa posted a 10–1 record, but a loss to Michigan cost Fry a fourth Big Ten title and Rose Bowl berth. Iowa's season ending win against Minnesota in 1991 was win number ten on the season, tying the school record for wins in a season and Fry's 100th victory at Iowa. The Hawkeyes accepted a third invitation to the Holiday Bowl, and the 13–13 tie with BYU gave Iowa a 10–1–1 final record and a top ten finish in the final AP rankings.
Share
1993: 200th Coaching Victory
In 1993, after a slow start, the Hawkeyes rebounded to earn an Alamo Bowl berth, with the final win of the 1993 season marking Hayden Fry's 200th career victory.
Share
1994: Struggling Season and Criticism
In 1994, Iowa struggled to a 5-5-1 record, leading some to question Hayden Fry's future as coach.
Share
1998: Retirement from Iowa
In 1998, Hayden Fry retired from his position as the head football coach at the University of Iowa.
Share
2002: Interest in Baylor Coaching Position
In 2002, Hayden Fry reportedly showed interest in the open head coaching position at Baylor University, his alma mater.
Share
September 1, 2018: Ferentz Passes Fry in Wins
On September 1, 2018, Kirk Ferentz surpassed Hayden Fry as the coach with the most wins in Iowa school history, tying Fry's tenure of 20 seasons.
Share