College football has become one of the more watched sports in the United States over the last few years, becoming a tradition for fans each week in the fall. The sport has seen an increase in popularity, especially with the new College Football Playoff being established. While there are many more transfers in the sport nowadays, coaching still matters when it comes to winning games.
This offseason we saw multiple elite coaches either leave for the NFL or retire from coaching. So who are the best coaches still in the game today? Here are the top 10 college football coaches entering the 2024 season.
10. Dan Lanning, Oregon
Lanning has led the Ducks to two 10-win seasons as the head coach and Oregon should be a top team again. They're heading to the Big Ten for the first time, which could cause some issues, but Oregon is still a premier football program. Lanning has shown the ability to lead very well and the players have responded soundly. He lands just at the edge of this list.
9. Lincoln Riley, USC
While the Trojans had a down 2023 season, Riley is still a very good head coach. We can't discount his time with the Oklahoma Sooners either. He will look to bounceback this year. USC is also now joining the ranks of the Big Ten, which will push the Trojans more so than when they were in the Pac-12, but Riley shouldn't be fazed. He is a strong leader and offensive genius who will likely be around with the Trojans for years to come.
8. Steve Sarkisian, Texas
After leading the Longhorns back from the brink, Sarkisian makes the cut. He has shown a willingness to adapt to the new reality of college football and it's resulted in wins on the field. Texas is finally back after years of claiming that they were and they have the leadership of Sarkisian to thank for it.
7. Mike Norvell, Florida State
Norvell has completely turned the Seminoles program around in short order. The team is coming off a 13-win season that saw them be snubbed by the College Football Playoff committee. Norvell has injected life into this program and has turned FSU into bona fide contenders. Florida State should be good again this season, with Norvell anchoring the charge forward.
6. Kyle Whittingham, Utah
Has anyone on this list done more with less than Whittingham? This reporter doesn't think so. Utah is consistently one of the better teams in the entire country and that is due to Whittingham putting his players in the best place for success each year. He may be one of the more underrated coaches in the entire sport. If the Utes can ever break through fully, he will completely receive his flowers.
5. Dabo Swinney, Clemson
Swinney was toward the top of the list just a few years ago, but some down seasons have seen him fall. Since Trevor Lawrence left the Tigers, Clemson hasn't been the same. The transfer portal is partly to blame. Swinney has been critical of the portal and his refusal to adapt to the ever-changing realm of college football may see him fall down even further as time goes on.
4. Kalen DeBoer, Alabama
DeBoer has all the pressure on him this season, taking over for the legendary Nick Saban. His move from Washington to Alabama will be a big change for him, especially with the level of competition in the SEC being better than what he has been used to in the Pac-12. But he has done great things with the Huskies and now gets all the advantages of being the head coach of Alabama.
3. Brian Kelly, LSU
This may be a little controversial but with the absence of Saban and Jim Harbaugh, Kelly jumps up the list. He has led the Tigers to 10-win seasons in each of his first two years at LSU and will be looking to go even farther this year. His track record has been impressive, even with his stint at Notre Dame, but he does need to win at LSU. If the Tigers don't make the Playoff this year, he could find himself on the hot seat.
2. Ryan Day, Ohio State
Day has yet to win the big game at Ohio State but his teams are consistently in the mix each year. The pressure will be on him this season with the Buckeyes being seen as the likely favorites entering the season. Ohio State has fallen behind a little over the last two seasons, losing to rival Michigan two times in a row. But Day can solidify himself in this spot if Ohio State can find success this year.
1. Kirby Smart, Georgia
With Nick Saban retiring from football, Smart vaults into the top spot. He is a two-time champion as the coach of the Bulldogs, having clearly picked up a few tricks of the trade from Saban during his time at Alabama. Smart has turned Georgia into one of the best programs in college football, dominating the SEC year in and year out. The Bulldogs look to be one of the better teams around the country again this season, with Smart leading the charge.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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