JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. (AP) — Carson-Newman coach Ken Sparks broke a tie with Bear Bryant for sixth place on the NCAA victory list, reaching 324 on Saturday in the Eagles’ 35-34 win over North Greenville.
Sparks, in his 35th season at Carson-Newman, improved his career record to 324-87-2. Bryant went 323-85-17 for Maryland, Kentucky, Texas A&M and Alabama from 1945-82.
The top five coaches in career victories are John Gagliardi (489-138-11), Eddie Robinson (408-165-15), Bobby Bowden (377-129-4), Pop Warner (336-114-32) and Larry Kehres (332-24-3). The 70-year-old Sparks has the most wins of any active coach.
Warner previously was credited with 319 wins, but the NCAA updated his record in 2012 to include victories he earned while coaching Iowa State in the 1890s. NCAA records show Warner coached two schools at the same time from 1895-99.
Carson-Newman (6-1) overcame a 28-7 second-quarter deficit.
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