Tom Herman's Success and Achievements in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 14, 2026

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Tom Herman. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Tom Herman is an American football coach known for his successful tenure as a head coach at the collegiate level. He gained national prominence as the offensive coordinator at Ohio State, where he won the 2014 Broyles Award, given to the nation's top assistant coach. This success led him to become the head coach at the University of Houston, where he achieved notable victories, including an upset of Florida State in the Peach Bowl. He subsequently served as the head coach of the Texas Longhorns from 2017 to 2020, leading the team to multiple bowl game wins. Known for his intense coaching style and offensive acumen, Herman has also held positions as an offensive analyst in the NFL and as the head coach at Florida Atlantic University. His career is characterized by his ability to develop quarterbacks and his focus on high-energy, performance-driven team culture.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1997: Graduation from California Lutheran University

In 1997, Tom Herman graduated cum laude from California Lutheran University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and was recognized as a Presidential Scholarship recipient.

2004: Bearkats 2004 Football Season Success

During the 2004 season, the Bearkats football team achieved an 11–3 record and reached the semifinals of the Division I-AA championship. Their offensive performance was highly ranked, placing second nationally in passing with an average of 358.5 yards per game and fifth in total offense with 471 yards per game.

2005: Texas State Offensive Coordinator Appointment and Performance

In 2005, Tom Herman joined Texas State as the offensive coordinator. During this year, his squad led the Southland Conference in total offense, ranked eighth nationally in scoring, and helped guide the team to a significant run in their first-ever Division I-AA NCAA appearance.

2008: Rice University Offensive Success

Throughout 2008, the Rice University football team achieved national recognition for its high-powered offense, ranking in the Top 10 for passing, scoring, and total yardage, while individual players like James Casey and Chase Clement earned significant accolades.

December 9, 2014: Awarded the Broyles Award

On December 9, 2014, Tom Herman received the Broyles Award, an honor bestowed upon the best assistant coach in the nation, following his success leading the Ohio State offense to a national championship despite injuries to his starting quarterbacks.

2015: Houston Football Success under Herman

During the 2015 season, Tom Herman guided the 21st-ranked Houston team to an impressive 11–1 start, captured the American Athletic Conference Western Division title, and secured an American Athletic Conference championship victory by defeating the Temple Owls 24–13.

December 31, 2015: Peach Bowl Victory over Florida State

On December 31, 2015, Tom Herman coached the 14th-ranked Houston Cougars to a significant 38–24 win against the 9th-ranked Florida State Seminoles in the Peach Bowl, marking the program's return to national prominence and securing a final season ranking of #8.

2016: Houston Cougars 2016 Season

During the 2016 college football season, Tom Herman's second year as head coach, the University of Houston Cougars finished with a 9–3 regular-season record, notably defeating two teams ranked third in the AP Poll, Oklahoma and Louisville.

2016: Tom Herman Hired as Texas Longhorns Head Coach

Following a successful two-year tenure at the University of Houston where he achieved a 22–4 record, Tom Herman was hired as the head coach of the Texas Longhorns immediately after the conclusion of the 2016 regular season.

2017: 2017 Texas Bowl Victory

During the 2017 season, Tom Herman led the Texas Longhorns to a 7–6 record, which concluded with a dominant 33–16 win against Missouri in the 2017 Texas Bowl.

2019: 2019 Football Season Performance

During the 2019 season, Tom Herman's team faced high expectations but finished the regular season with a 7–5 record; however, the season concluded on a positive note with a 38–10 victory over Utah in the 2019 Alamo Bowl.