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Ranking the Head Coaches You'd Want for the Next Few Years
By Richard Cirminiello
Close your eyes, prop up your feet and picture this: You’ve switched careers, leaving behind the mundane world of 9-to-5, and you’re now the athletic director of a major university with a I-A football program. Your first order of business? Hire a head coach to fill the vacancy that currently exists—not just for one year, but for the foreseeable future. Not long after you’ve settled into your new office that overlooks the stadium, 119 applications arrive on your desk—one from each of the head coaches currently running I-A programs. Whether you sink or swim in this dream job depends heavily on this one decision. Hey, you’re an accountant, lawyer, school teacher…so first impressions are critical. Nail it, and you’re the big man on campus. Fail it, and it’s back to a job that inspires you about as much as a 9 AM conference call on last quarter’s results. Who do you offer first, and if he declines, how do you rank the applicants?
- Coaches 26-50
25. Gary Patterson, TCU – A strange thing happened on the way to Dennis Franchione’s coronation—Patterson, Fran’s defensive coordinator on the 2000 WAC championship team, wound up being the can’t-miss coach with the upward mobility. Since taking over the program, he’s had three 10-win seasons and won a share of two conference titles. Save for 2004, Patterson’s defenses are fast, opportunistic and typically ranked among the nation’s best at the end of the season.
Five-Year Record: 43-18 (2-3 in bowl games)
Five-Year Record Before He Arrived: 30-28 (2-0 in bowl games)
24. Tommy Bowden, Clemson – Given up for dead just a couple of years ago, Bowden has stepped up, ignored his critics and actually solidified his long-term job security at Clemson. Now all the Tigers have to do is establish themselves as a bona fide and regular contender for ACC supremacy, and Bowden’s star will shine even brighter. He’s beaten his dad in two of the last three years, and enters the upcoming season with one of the nation’s top recruiting classes and a team that might be deep enough to challenge in the Atlantic Division.
Seven-Year Record at Clemson: 52-33 (3-3 in bowl games)
Seven-Year Record Before He Arrived: 44-37 (1-3 in bowl games)
Career Record: 70-37 (3-3 in bowl games)
23. Mike Bellotti, Oregon – For some reason, when the really successful coaches are discussed, Bellotti’s name seems to get lost in the shuffle. Too bad, because he’s been the savior of a Duck program that’s currently enjoying the most prosperous decade in its history. His low-key demeanor resonates with his players, but has also opens him up to criticism when times were a little less favorable. One year after sinking to 5-6, Bellotti and the Ducks responded in 2005 by ringing up an equally unexpected 10 wins for the third time in the last six years.
11-Year Record: 90-42 (4-5 in bowl games)
11-Year Record Before He Arrived: 68-61 (1-2 in bowl games)
22. Les Miles, LSU – In a no-win situation, Miles really showed a lot in his first season in Baton Rouge. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, he somehow kept his kids focused on football for four months, and led the Tigers to an 11-win campaign and a shellacking of Miami in the Peach Bowl. Until he wins his SEC title, Miles will have a difficult time stepping out of Nick Saban’s shadow, but he laid a nice foundation at Oklahoma State, and now has a chance with a name brand program to become one of college football’s premier head coaches.
One-Year Record at LSU: 11-2 (1-0 in bowl games)
One-Year Record Before He Arrived: 9-3 (0-1 in bowl games)
Career Record: 39-23 (2-2)
21. Paul Johnson, Navy – Johnson’s enormous success, both at Georgia Southern and Navy, has been built on the triple-option attack, so he’s not going to be a great fit everywhere. However, any school that’s willing to adopt his system would be getting one of the game’s most underrated head coaches. In four seasons, Johnson has been nothing short of a revelation for the Midshipmen, taking a program that was winless the year before he arrived to an unprecedented three straight bowl games, and more important, four consecutive blowouts of Army. What he’s doing in Annapolis is one of the most overlooked stories in all of all college football.
Four-Year Record at Navy: 28-21 (2-1 in bowl games)
Four-Year Record Before He Arrived: 9-35 (0-0 in bowl games)
Career Record: 90-31 (2-1 in bowl games)
20. Mike Price, UTEP – The past two years in El Paso have shown all you need to know about Price. Even after getting publicly humiliated and fired by Alabama, he has bounced back in a big way and proven that he can still elevate the play of young athletes. The Miners were in a dark place when Price was hired, but have wasted no time becoming one of the more competitive teams outside the BCS conferences. UTEP has won eight games each year and averaged more than 30 points a game, a characteristic of all Price teams. He’s getting to the twilight of his career, however, still has time for one more promotion and one more shot at national recognition.
Two-Year Record at UTEP: 16-8 (0-2 in bowl games)
Two-Year Record Before He Arrived: 4-21 (0-0 in bowl games)
Career Record: 145-130 (3-4 in bowl games)
19. Ralph Friedgen, Maryland – Back-to-back five win seasons has taken some of the gloss off the Fridge’s exterior, but it hasn’t stripped him of his ability to coach. He still has one of the best offensive minds in college football, is a masterful motivator and has few peers in terms of game-day preparation. Now all he has to do is find a way to parlay those skills into more offensive production and better play under center, two major issues the last two years. Before Friedgen arrived from Georgia Tech, the Terrapin program was a mess.
Five-Year Record: 41-20 (2-1 in bowl games)
Five-Year Record Before He Arrived: 20-35 (0-0 in bowl games)
18. Pat Hill, Fresno State – In nine years, Hill has become somewhat of a folk hero in the Valley. His us-against-the-world, won’t-back-down-from-any-fight persona has been adopted by a program that’s earned a reputation under the coach as giant killers. He’s ultra intense and demanding, on and away from the field, and is a big proponent of old school, smash-mouth football. Hill is a proven winner on the sidelines, which is the chief reason so many college and pro teams inquire about his availability at the end of every season.
Nine-Year Record: 72-43 (3-4 in bowl games)
Nine-Year Record Before He Arrived: 70-36-2 (3-2 in bowl games)
17. Dan Hawkins, Colorado – Lots of schools wanted a piece of the Hawk the last couple of years, and the Buffs are thrilled to have caged him. It was only a matter of time before Hawkins out grew Boise, where he took the house Dirk Koetter started building and actually added a few impressive extensions. He’s an energetic, no-nonsense type disciplinarian, whose teams are always well-prepared and sound in the fundamentals. Hawkins is well-respected and well-liked by the players and the community, and has an unusually voracious appetite for success.
Five-Year Record at Boise State: 53-11 (2-2 in bowl games)
Five-Year Record Before He Arrived: 32-27 (2-0 in bowl games)
16. Mike Leach, Texas Tech – It used to be that Leach was treated like the ringleader of a novelty act. Not anymore. Yes, he’s still the engineer of the most wide-open passing game in the country, but he’s also the winner of three bowl routs in four years and the reason Tech has moved past Texas A&M in the Big 12 South hierarchy. Leach isn’t the most well-liked in the coaching fraternity for his knack to keep his foot on the gas under all circumstances, yet few can deny that he’s an Xs and Os wiz and one of the cerebral coaches in college football.
Six-Year Record: 48-28 (3-3 in bowl games)
Six-Year Record Before He Arrived: 41-29 (1-3 in bowl games)
15. Tom O’Brien, Boston College – O’Brien does not coach at a perennial national power and is the last man to self promote, so it goes to figure that he’s one of the most underrated coaches in America. He is the model of consistency, quietly building a fundamentally sound team every year, despite only attracting a modest group of recruits to the Northeast. A product of the military, O’Brien is tough, but fair, and very well-respected by the kids who’ve passed through the program and the parents of those players. Give the coach enough time and he’ll out fox most opponents, as his shiny 6-1 bowl record will indicate.
Nine-Year Record: 66-42 (6-1 in bowl games)
Nine-Year Record Before He Arrived: 49-52-2 (2-1 in bowl games)
14. Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech – Beamer is an all-time great and a first-ballot Hall of Famer, but don’t forget that this question asked who you’d hire right now. He’s still got it, but he’s no spring Hokie and hasn’t coached outside Blacksburg in almost two decades. Beamer’s the face of the Tech program and will always be remembered as the man that guided the Hokies out of independence and into the Big East and national prominence. At his core, he is a skilled teacher, a stickler for pre-game preparation and an executive, who’s not timid about delegating to the staff he employs.
19-Year Record: 146-79-2 (6-7 in bowl games)
19-Year Record Before He Arrived: 107-100-4 (1-2 in bowl games)
13. Rich Rodriguez, West Virginia – Rodriguez was an up-and-comer before last year, but winning 11 games and the Sugar Bowl in 2005 with a bunch of untested kids certainly didn’t hurt his reputation or marketability. He adapts exceedingly well to the specific talent around him and, along with his staff, has done a marvelous job of coaching up kids like Adam Jones, Dan Mozes and Chris Henry, who’ve become much better players after going through Morgantown. The last time expectations were in the clouds, West Virginia didn’t respond well in 2004, so Rodriguez will be under the microscope this fall.
Five-Year Record: 39-22 (1-3 in bowl games)
Five-Year Record Before He Arrived: 34-25 (1-3 in bowl games)
12. Bobby Petrino, Louisville – In a short amount of time, Petrino has helped build a genuine powerhouse program at Louisville, winning 29 games and averaging 42 points a game over the last three years. He is widely recognized for having one of the sharpest offensive minds at any level, which is a big reason why NFL and college teams have come calling after each of the last couple seasons. And that’s the only risk of hiring a rising star, such as Petrino. Landing him is tough enough, but because he’s in such demand, keeping him on your payroll might be even tougher.
Three-Year Record: 29-8 (1-2 in bowl games)
Three-Year Record Before He Arrived: 27-11 (1-2 in bowl games)
11. Tommy Tuberville, Auburn – The Auburn administration almost bailed on Tuberville after the 2003 season. Good thing for them that they didn’t. The Riverboat Gambler, as he’s known for his past penchant for trick plays, has won 17 of his last 18 SEC games, including four in-a-row over rival Alabama. He’s done a sensational job of surrounding himself with quality assistants, and is not afraid to delegate to those coaches, while overseeing the operation like an executive. Tuberville’s confident and easy-going approach to life has been embraced by players and recruits as he restores the pride in Auburn football.
Seven-Year Record at Auburn: 65-27 (3-3 in bowl games)
Seven-Year Record Before He Arrived: 54-25-2 (2-1 in bowl games)
Career Record: 85-47 (4-3 in bowl games)
10. Steve Spurrier, South Carolina – Even at this late stage of his career, Spurrier brings something to a program that goes well beyond wins and losses. He’s still a lightning rod for attention, which means kids want to play for him, the media wants to interview him and fans want tickets when he’s in the building. That dynamic, which very few coaches in any sport can create, was on display in Spurrier’s first season in Columbia. As long he’s motivated, he’s still one of the best and most innovative coaches in college football. And if there’s a chance to get such a galvanizing figure on board, it’d be awfully hard to pass up.
One-Year Record at South Carolina: 7-5 (0-1 in bowl games)
One-Year Record Before He Arrived: 6-5 (0-0 in bowl games)
Career Record: 149-45-2 (6-7 in bowl games)
9. Jeff Tedford, Cal – As good as Tedford has been in his first four years in Berkeley, it’s hard to believe it took him so long to get his first head job. The program he inherited was in shambles beyond just its 1-10 record, but he’s whipped the Bears into shape and into three straight bowl games for the first since the late 1940s. Tedford is one of football’s most gifted offensive strategists and a quarterback guru in every sense of the title. Without his presence, there’s no way Kyle Boller and Aaron Rodgers make it into the NFL’s first round in 2003 and 2005, respectively.
Four-Year Record: 33-17 (2-1 in bowl games)
Four-Year Record Before He Arrived: 13-31 (0-0 in bowl games)
8. Mack Brown, Texas – He’s beaten Oklahoma. He’s won the Big 12. And he’s brought the national championship back to the Lone Star State. Maybe now folks outside Texas can appreciate what Brown has done for the Longhorns. Vilified for years for not being able to win the big game, he’s all that is right in college coaching. He cares about his kids, runs a clean program and creates a home-away-from-home type atmosphere. Oh yeah, he’s also won more than 80% of his games in Austin, including the last two Rose Bowls. Brown hasn’t been under .500 in a season since 1989 and has won at least nine games in 12 of the last 14 years.
Eight-Year Record at UT: 83-19 (5-3 in bowl games)
Eight-Year Record Before He Arrived: 56-36-2 (1-3 in bowl games)
Career Record: 169-93-1 (8-6 in bowl games)
7. Jim Tressel, Ohio State – He’s already won a national championship, beaten Lloyd Carr four times in five tries and won all but one bowl game. Yeah, Tressel has been a pretty good hire for the Buckeye program. At times, he can be maddeningly conservative and predictable on game day, but he gets results, and is well-positioned to make a run at a second national title in five years. Tressel recruits well, emphasizes the fundamentals and leads his troops with the steady hand of an old-school field general.
Five-Year Record: 50-13 (4-1 in bowl games)
Five-Year Record Before He Arrived: 46-15 (2-2 in bowl games)
6. Urban Meyer, Florida – Don’t let last year’s temporary bout with mediocrity fool you. Meyer is a superstar of the coaching ranks. And he’s going to win plenty of games for Florida in the SEC. Meyer’s critics came out of every nook and cranny in 2005, but you don’t coach Bowling Green out of an abyss and guide Utah to a BCS bowl win unless you’re special. Meyer’s only 41, has already proven to be a crackerjack recruiter and flies above the curve in terms of offensive ingenuity. If he can’t out smart you, he’ll out hustle you, an indication that his drive to succeed is relentless.
One-Year Record at Florida: 9-3 (1-0 in bowl games)
One-Year Record Before He Arrived: 7-5 (0-1 in bowl games)
Career Record: 48-11 (3-0 in bowl games)
5. Charlie Weis, Notre Dame – It’s only been one year, but what’s not to like about Weis? With the entire sports world scrutinizing his every move, he made a immediate and profound impact on a university that was going sideways. He’s a winner in ways that extend beyond the record. Yeah, nine wins and a Fiesta Bowl berth was an impressive debut, but Weis has also displayed a knack for out coaching the opposition, cleaning up in recruiting and energizing the masses that’ve been pining for a capable leader since Lou Holtz left South Bend. Like Ralph Friedgen, Weis should have had a job sooner, and looks poised to make up for lost time.
One-Year Record: 9-3 (0-1 in bowl games)
One-Year Record Before He Arrived: 6-6 (0-1 in bowl games)
4. Kirk Ferentz, Iowa – Ferentz was extremely slow out of the gate, winning just four games in his first two seasons in Iowa City, but has been one of the country’s premier coaches since turning things around in 2001. In many ways, he’s college football’s version of Bill Belichick, a calm, cerebral leader, who surrounds himself with a terrific staff of assistants. Ferentz and Co. have earned a reputation for taking average recruits that few other schools wanted and molding them into dominant college players and coveted NFL draft picks. See Robert Gallery and Chad Greenway.
Seven-Year Record: 49-36 (3-2 in bowl games)
Seven-Year Record Before He Arrived: 43-38-1 (2-2 in bowl games)
3. Mark Richt, Georgia – In Richt, Georgia has joined forces with the kind of young and successful coach that can conceivably be the pillar of the program for two decades and the school’s next Vince Dooley. He’s been that good in his first five years in Athens. Good coaches win games, but great coaches win titles, and Richt had already bagged a pair of SEC championships before his 46th birthday, including last year’s, which took everyone by surprise. Throw in a hard-to-imagine 19-2 record on the road that includes no out of conference cream puffs, and
Five-Year Record: 52-13 (3-2 in bowl games)
Five-Year Record Before He Arrived: 40-17 (4-0 in bowl games)
2. Bob Stoops, Oklahoma – No one is perfect, and that obviously includes coaches. Keep that in mind as visions of the 2004 Sugar Bowl, 2005 Orange Bowl and the first half of last year dance through your head. Yes, Stoops has shown hints of vulnerability the past couple of years, but not nearly enough to cloud all the good that he’d bring to any program. When he got on board in 1999, the Sooners were riding an unusual six-year streak of .500 or worse finishes, yet it took Stoops just two years to elevate OU to the top of the NCAA mountain. And they’ve been meandering near the peak ever since. He’s tough, disciplined and among the best defensive strategists in all of college football. Stoops is a franchise head coach, who’d bring dignity, better recruits and elevated expectations to his next employer.
Seven-Year Record: 75-16 (4-3 in bowl games)
Seven-Year Record Before He Arrived: 37-40-3 (1-1 in bowl games)
1. Pete Carroll, USC – Critics point to USC’s deep pool of local prep talent and assume any coach can be plugged into the job, and 10-win seasons will churn out. Those critics are sorely misguided. Carroll did not take over a well-oiled machine when he arrived in 2001. In fact, the once proud Trojans were mired in mediocrity and the last 10-win season had happened in 1988. After losing six games by a combined 29 points in his debut season, Carroll has led USC to a 48-4 record, four straight Pac-10 titles, three BCS bowl wins and at least a share of two national championships. His high energy, low stress coaching style has been a smashing success with the players, and his ability to make in-game adjustments and attract blue-chip talent from all over the country is second to none.
Five-Year Record: 54-10 (3-2 in bowl games)
Five-Year Record Before He Arrived: 31-29 (0-1 in bowl games)
By Richard Cirminiello
Close your eyes, prop up your feet and picture this: You’ve switched careers, leaving behind the mundane world of 9-to-5, and you’re now the athletic director of a major university with a I-A football program. Your first order of business? Hire a head coach to fill the vacancy that currently exists—not just for one year, but for the foreseeable future. Not long after you’ve settled into your new office that overlooks the stadium, 119 applications arrive on your desk—one from each of the head coaches currently running I-A programs. Whether you sink or swim in this dream job depends heavily on this one decision. Hey, you’re an accountant, lawyer, school teacher…so first impressions are critical. Nail it, and you’re the big man on campus. Fail it, and it’s back to a job that inspires you about as much as a 9 AM conference call on last quarter’s results. Who do you offer first, and if he declines, how do you rank the applicants?
- Coaches 26-50
25. Gary Patterson, TCU – A strange thing happened on the way to Dennis Franchione’s coronation—Patterson, Fran’s defensive coordinator on the 2000 WAC championship team, wound up being the can’t-miss coach with the upward mobility. Since taking over the program, he’s had three 10-win seasons and won a share of two conference titles. Save for 2004, Patterson’s defenses are fast, opportunistic and typically ranked among the nation’s best at the end of the season.
Five-Year Record: 43-18 (2-3 in bowl games)
Five-Year Record Before He Arrived: 30-28 (2-0 in bowl games)
24. Tommy Bowden, Clemson – Given up for dead just a couple of years ago, Bowden has stepped up, ignored his critics and actually solidified his long-term job security at Clemson. Now all the Tigers have to do is establish themselves as a bona fide and regular contender for ACC supremacy, and Bowden’s star will shine even brighter. He’s beaten his dad in two of the last three years, and enters the upcoming season with one of the nation’s top recruiting classes and a team that might be deep enough to challenge in the Atlantic Division.
Seven-Year Record at Clemson: 52-33 (3-3 in bowl games)
Seven-Year Record Before He Arrived: 44-37 (1-3 in bowl games)
Career Record: 70-37 (3-3 in bowl games)
23. Mike Bellotti, Oregon – For some reason, when the really successful coaches are discussed, Bellotti’s name seems to get lost in the shuffle. Too bad, because he’s been the savior of a Duck program that’s currently enjoying the most prosperous decade in its history. His low-key demeanor resonates with his players, but has also opens him up to criticism when times were a little less favorable. One year after sinking to 5-6, Bellotti and the Ducks responded in 2005 by ringing up an equally unexpected 10 wins for the third time in the last six years.
11-Year Record: 90-42 (4-5 in bowl games)
11-Year Record Before He Arrived: 68-61 (1-2 in bowl games)
22. Les Miles, LSU – In a no-win situation, Miles really showed a lot in his first season in Baton Rouge. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, he somehow kept his kids focused on football for four months, and led the Tigers to an 11-win campaign and a shellacking of Miami in the Peach Bowl. Until he wins his SEC title, Miles will have a difficult time stepping out of Nick Saban’s shadow, but he laid a nice foundation at Oklahoma State, and now has a chance with a name brand program to become one of college football’s premier head coaches.
One-Year Record at LSU: 11-2 (1-0 in bowl games)
One-Year Record Before He Arrived: 9-3 (0-1 in bowl games)
Career Record: 39-23 (2-2)
21. Paul Johnson, Navy – Johnson’s enormous success, both at Georgia Southern and Navy, has been built on the triple-option attack, so he’s not going to be a great fit everywhere. However, any school that’s willing to adopt his system would be getting one of the game’s most underrated head coaches. In four seasons, Johnson has been nothing short of a revelation for the Midshipmen, taking a program that was winless the year before he arrived to an unprecedented three straight bowl games, and more important, four consecutive blowouts of Army. What he’s doing in Annapolis is one of the most overlooked stories in all of all college football.
Four-Year Record at Navy: 28-21 (2-1 in bowl games)
Four-Year Record Before He Arrived: 9-35 (0-0 in bowl games)
Career Record: 90-31 (2-1 in bowl games)
20. Mike Price, UTEP – The past two years in El Paso have shown all you need to know about Price. Even after getting publicly humiliated and fired by Alabama, he has bounced back in a big way and proven that he can still elevate the play of young athletes. The Miners were in a dark place when Price was hired, but have wasted no time becoming one of the more competitive teams outside the BCS conferences. UTEP has won eight games each year and averaged more than 30 points a game, a characteristic of all Price teams. He’s getting to the twilight of his career, however, still has time for one more promotion and one more shot at national recognition.
Two-Year Record at UTEP: 16-8 (0-2 in bowl games)
Two-Year Record Before He Arrived: 4-21 (0-0 in bowl games)
Career Record: 145-130 (3-4 in bowl games)
19. Ralph Friedgen, Maryland – Back-to-back five win seasons has taken some of the gloss off the Fridge’s exterior, but it hasn’t stripped him of his ability to coach. He still has one of the best offensive minds in college football, is a masterful motivator and has few peers in terms of game-day preparation. Now all he has to do is find a way to parlay those skills into more offensive production and better play under center, two major issues the last two years. Before Friedgen arrived from Georgia Tech, the Terrapin program was a mess.
Five-Year Record: 41-20 (2-1 in bowl games)
Five-Year Record Before He Arrived: 20-35 (0-0 in bowl games)
18. Pat Hill, Fresno State – In nine years, Hill has become somewhat of a folk hero in the Valley. His us-against-the-world, won’t-back-down-from-any-fight persona has been adopted by a program that’s earned a reputation under the coach as giant killers. He’s ultra intense and demanding, on and away from the field, and is a big proponent of old school, smash-mouth football. Hill is a proven winner on the sidelines, which is the chief reason so many college and pro teams inquire about his availability at the end of every season.
Nine-Year Record: 72-43 (3-4 in bowl games)
Nine-Year Record Before He Arrived: 70-36-2 (3-2 in bowl games)
17. Dan Hawkins, Colorado – Lots of schools wanted a piece of the Hawk the last couple of years, and the Buffs are thrilled to have caged him. It was only a matter of time before Hawkins out grew Boise, where he took the house Dirk Koetter started building and actually added a few impressive extensions. He’s an energetic, no-nonsense type disciplinarian, whose teams are always well-prepared and sound in the fundamentals. Hawkins is well-respected and well-liked by the players and the community, and has an unusually voracious appetite for success.
Five-Year Record at Boise State: 53-11 (2-2 in bowl games)
Five-Year Record Before He Arrived: 32-27 (2-0 in bowl games)
16. Mike Leach, Texas Tech – It used to be that Leach was treated like the ringleader of a novelty act. Not anymore. Yes, he’s still the engineer of the most wide-open passing game in the country, but he’s also the winner of three bowl routs in four years and the reason Tech has moved past Texas A&M in the Big 12 South hierarchy. Leach isn’t the most well-liked in the coaching fraternity for his knack to keep his foot on the gas under all circumstances, yet few can deny that he’s an Xs and Os wiz and one of the cerebral coaches in college football.
Six-Year Record: 48-28 (3-3 in bowl games)
Six-Year Record Before He Arrived: 41-29 (1-3 in bowl games)
15. Tom O’Brien, Boston College – O’Brien does not coach at a perennial national power and is the last man to self promote, so it goes to figure that he’s one of the most underrated coaches in America. He is the model of consistency, quietly building a fundamentally sound team every year, despite only attracting a modest group of recruits to the Northeast. A product of the military, O’Brien is tough, but fair, and very well-respected by the kids who’ve passed through the program and the parents of those players. Give the coach enough time and he’ll out fox most opponents, as his shiny 6-1 bowl record will indicate.
Nine-Year Record: 66-42 (6-1 in bowl games)
Nine-Year Record Before He Arrived: 49-52-2 (2-1 in bowl games)
14. Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech – Beamer is an all-time great and a first-ballot Hall of Famer, but don’t forget that this question asked who you’d hire right now. He’s still got it, but he’s no spring Hokie and hasn’t coached outside Blacksburg in almost two decades. Beamer’s the face of the Tech program and will always be remembered as the man that guided the Hokies out of independence and into the Big East and national prominence. At his core, he is a skilled teacher, a stickler for pre-game preparation and an executive, who’s not timid about delegating to the staff he employs.
19-Year Record: 146-79-2 (6-7 in bowl games)
19-Year Record Before He Arrived: 107-100-4 (1-2 in bowl games)
13. Rich Rodriguez, West Virginia – Rodriguez was an up-and-comer before last year, but winning 11 games and the Sugar Bowl in 2005 with a bunch of untested kids certainly didn’t hurt his reputation or marketability. He adapts exceedingly well to the specific talent around him and, along with his staff, has done a marvelous job of coaching up kids like Adam Jones, Dan Mozes and Chris Henry, who’ve become much better players after going through Morgantown. The last time expectations were in the clouds, West Virginia didn’t respond well in 2004, so Rodriguez will be under the microscope this fall.
Five-Year Record: 39-22 (1-3 in bowl games)
Five-Year Record Before He Arrived: 34-25 (1-3 in bowl games)
12. Bobby Petrino, Louisville – In a short amount of time, Petrino has helped build a genuine powerhouse program at Louisville, winning 29 games and averaging 42 points a game over the last three years. He is widely recognized for having one of the sharpest offensive minds at any level, which is a big reason why NFL and college teams have come calling after each of the last couple seasons. And that’s the only risk of hiring a rising star, such as Petrino. Landing him is tough enough, but because he’s in such demand, keeping him on your payroll might be even tougher.
Three-Year Record: 29-8 (1-2 in bowl games)
Three-Year Record Before He Arrived: 27-11 (1-2 in bowl games)
11. Tommy Tuberville, Auburn – The Auburn administration almost bailed on Tuberville after the 2003 season. Good thing for them that they didn’t. The Riverboat Gambler, as he’s known for his past penchant for trick plays, has won 17 of his last 18 SEC games, including four in-a-row over rival Alabama. He’s done a sensational job of surrounding himself with quality assistants, and is not afraid to delegate to those coaches, while overseeing the operation like an executive. Tuberville’s confident and easy-going approach to life has been embraced by players and recruits as he restores the pride in Auburn football.
Seven-Year Record at Auburn: 65-27 (3-3 in bowl games)
Seven-Year Record Before He Arrived: 54-25-2 (2-1 in bowl games)
Career Record: 85-47 (4-3 in bowl games)
10. Steve Spurrier, South Carolina – Even at this late stage of his career, Spurrier brings something to a program that goes well beyond wins and losses. He’s still a lightning rod for attention, which means kids want to play for him, the media wants to interview him and fans want tickets when he’s in the building. That dynamic, which very few coaches in any sport can create, was on display in Spurrier’s first season in Columbia. As long he’s motivated, he’s still one of the best and most innovative coaches in college football. And if there’s a chance to get such a galvanizing figure on board, it’d be awfully hard to pass up.
One-Year Record at South Carolina: 7-5 (0-1 in bowl games)
One-Year Record Before He Arrived: 6-5 (0-0 in bowl games)
Career Record: 149-45-2 (6-7 in bowl games)
9. Jeff Tedford, Cal – As good as Tedford has been in his first four years in Berkeley, it’s hard to believe it took him so long to get his first head job. The program he inherited was in shambles beyond just its 1-10 record, but he’s whipped the Bears into shape and into three straight bowl games for the first since the late 1940s. Tedford is one of football’s most gifted offensive strategists and a quarterback guru in every sense of the title. Without his presence, there’s no way Kyle Boller and Aaron Rodgers make it into the NFL’s first round in 2003 and 2005, respectively.
Four-Year Record: 33-17 (2-1 in bowl games)
Four-Year Record Before He Arrived: 13-31 (0-0 in bowl games)
8. Mack Brown, Texas – He’s beaten Oklahoma. He’s won the Big 12. And he’s brought the national championship back to the Lone Star State. Maybe now folks outside Texas can appreciate what Brown has done for the Longhorns. Vilified for years for not being able to win the big game, he’s all that is right in college coaching. He cares about his kids, runs a clean program and creates a home-away-from-home type atmosphere. Oh yeah, he’s also won more than 80% of his games in Austin, including the last two Rose Bowls. Brown hasn’t been under .500 in a season since 1989 and has won at least nine games in 12 of the last 14 years.
Eight-Year Record at UT: 83-19 (5-3 in bowl games)
Eight-Year Record Before He Arrived: 56-36-2 (1-3 in bowl games)
Career Record: 169-93-1 (8-6 in bowl games)
7. Jim Tressel, Ohio State – He’s already won a national championship, beaten Lloyd Carr four times in five tries and won all but one bowl game. Yeah, Tressel has been a pretty good hire for the Buckeye program. At times, he can be maddeningly conservative and predictable on game day, but he gets results, and is well-positioned to make a run at a second national title in five years. Tressel recruits well, emphasizes the fundamentals and leads his troops with the steady hand of an old-school field general.
Five-Year Record: 50-13 (4-1 in bowl games)
Five-Year Record Before He Arrived: 46-15 (2-2 in bowl games)
6. Urban Meyer, Florida – Don’t let last year’s temporary bout with mediocrity fool you. Meyer is a superstar of the coaching ranks. And he’s going to win plenty of games for Florida in the SEC. Meyer’s critics came out of every nook and cranny in 2005, but you don’t coach Bowling Green out of an abyss and guide Utah to a BCS bowl win unless you’re special. Meyer’s only 41, has already proven to be a crackerjack recruiter and flies above the curve in terms of offensive ingenuity. If he can’t out smart you, he’ll out hustle you, an indication that his drive to succeed is relentless.
One-Year Record at Florida: 9-3 (1-0 in bowl games)
One-Year Record Before He Arrived: 7-5 (0-1 in bowl games)
Career Record: 48-11 (3-0 in bowl games)
5. Charlie Weis, Notre Dame – It’s only been one year, but what’s not to like about Weis? With the entire sports world scrutinizing his every move, he made a immediate and profound impact on a university that was going sideways. He’s a winner in ways that extend beyond the record. Yeah, nine wins and a Fiesta Bowl berth was an impressive debut, but Weis has also displayed a knack for out coaching the opposition, cleaning up in recruiting and energizing the masses that’ve been pining for a capable leader since Lou Holtz left South Bend. Like Ralph Friedgen, Weis should have had a job sooner, and looks poised to make up for lost time.
One-Year Record: 9-3 (0-1 in bowl games)
One-Year Record Before He Arrived: 6-6 (0-1 in bowl games)
4. Kirk Ferentz, Iowa – Ferentz was extremely slow out of the gate, winning just four games in his first two seasons in Iowa City, but has been one of the country’s premier coaches since turning things around in 2001. In many ways, he’s college football’s version of Bill Belichick, a calm, cerebral leader, who surrounds himself with a terrific staff of assistants. Ferentz and Co. have earned a reputation for taking average recruits that few other schools wanted and molding them into dominant college players and coveted NFL draft picks. See Robert Gallery and Chad Greenway.
Seven-Year Record: 49-36 (3-2 in bowl games)
Seven-Year Record Before He Arrived: 43-38-1 (2-2 in bowl games)
3. Mark Richt, Georgia – In Richt, Georgia has joined forces with the kind of young and successful coach that can conceivably be the pillar of the program for two decades and the school’s next Vince Dooley. He’s been that good in his first five years in Athens. Good coaches win games, but great coaches win titles, and Richt had already bagged a pair of SEC championships before his 46th birthday, including last year’s, which took everyone by surprise. Throw in a hard-to-imagine 19-2 record on the road that includes no out of conference cream puffs, and
Five-Year Record: 52-13 (3-2 in bowl games)
Five-Year Record Before He Arrived: 40-17 (4-0 in bowl games)
2. Bob Stoops, Oklahoma – No one is perfect, and that obviously includes coaches. Keep that in mind as visions of the 2004 Sugar Bowl, 2005 Orange Bowl and the first half of last year dance through your head. Yes, Stoops has shown hints of vulnerability the past couple of years, but not nearly enough to cloud all the good that he’d bring to any program. When he got on board in 1999, the Sooners were riding an unusual six-year streak of .500 or worse finishes, yet it took Stoops just two years to elevate OU to the top of the NCAA mountain. And they’ve been meandering near the peak ever since. He’s tough, disciplined and among the best defensive strategists in all of college football. Stoops is a franchise head coach, who’d bring dignity, better recruits and elevated expectations to his next employer.
Seven-Year Record: 75-16 (4-3 in bowl games)
Seven-Year Record Before He Arrived: 37-40-3 (1-1 in bowl games)
1. Pete Carroll, USC – Critics point to USC’s deep pool of local prep talent and assume any coach can be plugged into the job, and 10-win seasons will churn out. Those critics are sorely misguided. Carroll did not take over a well-oiled machine when he arrived in 2001. In fact, the once proud Trojans were mired in mediocrity and the last 10-win season had happened in 1988. After losing six games by a combined 29 points in his debut season, Carroll has led USC to a 48-4 record, four straight Pac-10 titles, three BCS bowl wins and at least a share of two national championships. His high energy, low stress coaching style has been a smashing success with the players, and his ability to make in-game adjustments and attract blue-chip talent from all over the country is second to none.
Five-Year Record: 54-10 (3-2 in bowl games)
Five-Year Record Before He Arrived: 31-29 (0-1 in bowl games)
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