Foulest 40 villains of them all

ESPN's Pat Forde and Ivan Maisel put together a list of their top 40 villains in college football, and here are a few of my favorites...

2. Bear Bryant -- Alabama coach, 1958-82
Hated by: Georgia Tech, among all the other Southern schools crushed by the Crimson Tide.

Claim to Infamy: In 1962, Bryant was the target of liquor bottles thrown from the stands when the Crimson Tide played on the road at Georgia Tech. That was a year after some Yellow Jackets and members of the Atlanta media labeled Bryant a dirty coach when one of his players severely injured a Tech player on a punt return. When Bama returned to Atlanta in 1964, Bryant went out for pregame warm-ups wearing a helmet to lessen the potential blow from any projectiles. Tech, which had left the SEC after 1963, canceled its contentious series with the Tide.

7. Phillip Fulmer -- Tennessee coach, 1992-2008
Hated by: Alabama.

Claim to Infamy: Talked to NCAA investigators about alleged wrongdoing by the Crimson Tide on the recruiting trail, most notably in Memphis. Subsequently became the focus of all evil energy from Alabama, much of which might have been better directed at infamous booster Logan Young and disgraced former coach Mike DuBose. Skipped 2004 SEC media days for fear of being subpoenaed in a libel case against the NCAA by former Tide assistant coaches Ronnie Cottrell and Ivy Williams. Four years later, Fulmer was subpoenaed at SEC media days in a different libel suit, this one brought against the NCAA by disassociated Bama booster Wendell Smith.

15. Jimmy Johnson -- Miami coach, 1984-88
Hated by: Notre Dame, among others.

Claim to Infamy: Brought the greatest glory and most opponent disdain to the Hurricanes during his five-year run. The combat fatigues were worn to the 1987 Fiesta Bowl on Johnson's watch, as the program's swagger fully took hold after being born under Howard Schnellenberger. Johnson supplied the classless coup de grace to the Gerry Faust Era at Notre Dame, running up the score in the second half of a 58-7 rout of the Fighting Irish in Faust's last game as coach in 1985. Irish freshmen on that team were seniors when Johnson brought the Hurricanes into Notre Dame Stadium in 1988, and they were ready. The teams engaged in a pregame brawl outside the entrance tunnel and then Notre Dame upset the No. 1 Canes 31-30 in the "Catholics vs. Convicts" T-shirt game. Perma-sprayed hair also a nationwide annoyance.

17. David Langner and Bill Newton -- Auburn defensive players, 1972
Hated by: Alabama.

Claim to Infamy: "Punt Bama Punt," as it quickly became known in Auburn circles, a giddy takeoff on Alabama's "Roll Tide Roll" cheer. The No. 2-ranked, undefeated Crimson Tide were on their way to a convincing victory over the archrival Tigers, leading 16-3 in the fourth quarter. That's when Newton blocked an Alabama punt, which Langner scooped up and returned 25 yards for a touchdown. Several minutes later, déjà vu struck Legion Field: Newton blocked another punt, Langner retrieved it and scored another touchdown. With the extra points, Auburn led 17-16. Then Langner sealed the shocking comeback with an interception.

21. Urban Meyer -- Florida coach, 2005-present
Hated by: All of SEC, with special antipathy in Georgia.

Claim to Infamy: Biggest problem is obnoxious win total: 44-9 in first four seasons in Gainesville, with 2009 team favored to win a third national title on his watch. Has gained something of a bloodthirsty reputation after ordering late field goal in a 23-point win over Miami and using every timeout late in a 39-point mauling of Georgia last year. Considered by some critics to be excessively pleased with himself.

24. Richard M. Nixon -- U.S. president, 1969-74
Hated by: Penn State, which beat the Watergate rush.

Claim to Infamy: On Dec. 6, 1969, Nixon flew to Arkansas to attend the hugely hyped Texas-Arkansas showdown. Nixon stated before the game that the winner would be No. 1, and then presented a plaque as national champions to the Longhorns after their thrilling, 15-14 comeback victory. Only problem: The bowls had not yet been played, and undefeated Penn State felt just a bit left out of the proceedings. (It should be noted that the Nittany Lions later turned down a bid to play Texas in the Cotton Bowl, opting for the Orange Bowl instead.)

25. Houston Nutt -- Ole Miss coach, 2008-present
Hated by: Arkansas.

Claim to Infamy: Benched adored true freshman quarterback Mitch Mustain in 2006 despite his 8-0 record as Arkansas' starter. Engaged in hissy in-fighting with Mustain's mother, Beck Campbell, provoking statewide dissension between Nutt backers and those championing Mustain and other members of the so-called "Springdale Mafia." (Springdale High School is where Mustain, coach Gus Malzahn and several other players achieved glory before matriculating to misery in Fayetteville.) Text messages to TV anchor scrutinized and program atmosphere poisoned, Nutt jumped out and landed at SEC West rival Ole Miss. Defeated Razorbacks last season on the way to surprising 9-4 record and Cotton Bowl victory, while Arkansas struggled to 5-7 record.

29. Saban, Nick -- Alabama coach, 2007-present
Hated by: LSU.

Claim to Infamy: Jilted Tigers for the NFL, then returned after two seasons to coach LSU rival Alabama in same division of same conference -- notably doing so after definitively stating that he was not going to Alabama. Bad feelings exacerbated by quickly returning Crimson Tide to prominence last season, winning the SEC Western Division and defeating LSU in Baton Rouge.

32. Steve Spurrier -- Florida coach, 1990-2001
Hated by: Entire SEC, most notably Tennessee and Georgia; Florida State as well.

Claim to Infamy: Head Ball Coach won huge and unapologetically tweaked his victims for 12 years while building the brand at his alma mater. Volunteers fans can still hear, "You can't spell Citrus (Bowl) without U-T" ringing in their ears. Bulldogs fans can still hear him referring to 1990s coach Ray Goff as "Ray Goof." And Seminoles can still hear the Spurrier barb, "Free Shoes University." Unlikely that any SEC coach had more fun angering more people than Spurrier.

34. Tim Tebow -- Florida quarterback, 2006-present
Hated by: All non-Gators in SEC, plus sizeable pockets of resistance elsewhere.

Claim to Infamy: Too virtuous and too celebrated for many rivals' tastes. Scripture on eye black construed as religious grandstanding in some corners. Willingness to run over opposing linebackers and/or sever a limb to win does not help his standing with opposing fans. Mainly because he does win with tiresome regularity and irksome wholesomeness.

36. Tommy Tuberville -- Auburn coach, 1999-2008
Hated by: Ole Miss.

Claim to Infamy: Declared that the only way he would leave his first head-coaching job, with the Rebels, would be "in a pine box." Two days later, alive and well, he accepted job at SEC West rival Auburn.

40. Vince Young -- Texas quarterback, 2003-05
Hated by: USC

Claim to Infamy: Almost single-handedly stopped favored Trojans' bid for national title threepeat in 2006 Rose Bowl. Ran through USC defense for 200 yards and three touchdowns, the last coming with 19 seconds to play, to give the Longhorns the 41-38 victory and their first national championship since 1970. Lack of carryover to successful professional career further galls Trojans, who could at least feel better if they'd been destroyed by the next great NFL quarterback.