The college football coaching landscape has seen some significant transformations this month, with notable departures and arrivals.
Nick Saban, often regarded as the greatest of all time (GOAT), has retired from coaching. Jim Harbaugh, the most recent national championship-winning coach, has made his move to the NFL. These changes have reshaped the landscape of coaching in college football for the 2023 season.
Jesse Simonton of On3 has compiled a list of the top 10 college football coaches, offering an interesting perspective on the new coaching hierarchy. While Georgia’s Kirby Smart occupies the coveted top spot, the rankings beyond that point invite spirited debate.
Brian Kelly of LSU secures the second position, followed closely by Kalen DeBoer, who successfully led Washington to the College Football Playoff and now steps into Nick Saban’s shoes. Ohio State’s Ryan Day claims the fourth spot, while Texas’ Steve Sarkisian rounds out the top five.
NEW: Top 10 College Football Head Coaches per @JesseReSimonton👀
Do you agree? ⬇️https://t.co/mtmTdmd0pZ pic.twitter.com/pYl9jfV5Yy
— On3 (@On3sports) January 31, 2024
Dabo Swinney, the head coach of Clemson and another national championship winner, finds himself at the sixth position on the list.
As with any ranking system, there is room for discussion and differing opinions. Nevertheless, this list provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of college football coaching. It’s worth noting that a year from now, this list is likely to undergo significant changes, reflecting the dynamic nature of the sport.