Bernie Bierman coached Minnesota 1932–1941 and again from 1945–1950. During that time he won 7 Big Ten Championships and 5 National Championships. And the path that brought Bierman to coach in Dinkytown is a truly interesting one.
Bernie played on the great Gopher team of 1916 for the programs all time winningest coach Doctor Henry L. Williams. When the good Doctor left coaching in 1921 the U of M ran through coaches trying to get back to the top of the conference. Things came to low point during the coaching search that ended up with Frtiz Crisler in 1930.