FINALLY! Tim Couch is Elected to the College Football Hall of Fame

The wait is finally over. After years and years of nominations, former Kentucky quarterback Tim Couch is being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

“I’m honored and humbled,” Couch said upon receiving the news.  “This is an unbelievable honor, I’m blown away by it.  I’m really excited for the celebration this year, representing Kentucky and doing my best to do that.” 

Couch received the news on the same day we learned Leslie County High School will build a life-size statue in his honor. During his prep career he became the most prolific passer in high school football history, setting national records for completions (872), passing yards (12,104), and passing touchdowns (132). It set the table for what was to come at Kentucky.

After one year of the triple option with Bill Curry, Couch was ready to move on from Lexington. Then Hal Mumme came to town. Mumme’s Air Raid offense with Couch operating from the pocket revolutionized the sport of football, with its effects still playing out on Sundays.

Couch’s career totals, most of which happened during the 1997-98 seasons, feature 795 completions in 1,184 attempts (67.1 percent) for 8,435 yards and 74 touchdowns. He broke seven NCAA records, 14 SEC records and 26 school records, many of which still stand today.

In addition to the records, he dramatically improved Kentucky’s win-loss record. After tallying only nine wins over three seasons, the Cats under Couch went 12-11, secured a bid to the Outback Bowl and beat Alabama for the first time since 1922.

Couch was a First Team All-American in 1998 and a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. He declared for the NFL Draft and was the first overall pick for the expansion Cleveland Browns.

The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame made the announcement Monday afternoon on ESPN. Couch will be inducted at the annual National Football Foundation Awards Dinner, to be held December 10 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Couch is just the eighth former Kentucky Wildcat to enter the College Football Hall of Fame. Defensive end Art Still was the most recent induction, joining the hall in the class of 2015. Couch is only the second Kentucky native to play for his home state school and enter the Hall of Fame, joining Freddie Maggard’s coach, Jerry Claiborne.

Kentucky Wildcats in the College Football Hall of Fame

• Art Still — Defensive End, 1974-77, Inducted in 2015
• Lou Michaels — Tackle/Kicker/Punter, 1955-77, Inducted in 1992
• Babe Parilli — Quarterback, 1949-51, Inducted in 1982
• Steve Meilinger — End/Linebacker, 1951-53, Inducted in 2013
• Jerry Claiborne — Defensive Back (1946-49, Head Coach (1982-89), Inducted in 1999
• Bob Gain — Tackle/Kicker, 1947-50, Inducted in 29180
• Paul “Bear” Bryant — Head Coach. 1946-53, Inducted in 1986

2024 College Football Hall of Fame Class

PLAYERS:

• Justin Blackmon – WR, Oklahoma State (2009-11)
• Paul Cameron – TB, UCLA (1951-53)
• Tim Couch – QB, Kentucky (1996-98)
• Warrick Dunn – RB, Florida State (1993-96)
• Armanti Edwards – QB, Appalachian State (2006-09)
• Deon Figures – CB, Colorado (1988, 1990-92)
• Larry Fitzgerald – WR, Pittsburgh (2002-03)
• Toby Gerhart – RB, Stanford (2006-09)
• Dan Hampton – DT, Arkansas (1975-78)
• Steve Hutchinson – OG, Michigan (1997-2000)
• Antonio Langham – CB, Alabama (1990-93)
• Randy Moss – WR, Marshall (1996-97)
• Julius Peppers – DE, North Carolina (1999-2001)
• Paul Posluszny – LB, Penn State (2003-06)
• Dewey Selmon – NG, Oklahoma (1972-75)
• Alex Smith – QB, Utah (2002-04)
• Kevin Smith – CB, Texas A&M (1988-91)
• Chris Ward – OT, Ohio State (1974-77)
• Danny Woodhead – RB, Chadron State [NE] (2004-07) 

COACHES:

• Mark Dantonio – 132-74-0 (64.1%): Cincinnati (2004-06), Michigan State (2007-19)
• Danny Hale – 213-69-1 (75.4%): West Chester [PA] (1984-88), Bloomsburg [PA] (1993-2012) 
• Frank Solich – 173-101-0: Nebraska (1998-2003), Ohio (2005-2020) 

For more on the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame Class, click here.