Top 5 coaches in college football?

[smokymountainrain]

Mack Brown? Les Miles ???

Quoting the bootlegger's boy, who at one time was considered one of the best coaches in the land, befoe he started working for his old college roommate and was considered one of the worst coaches in the land.

If you haven't read the book, you should. Very entertaining.

[Moliere]

In no particular order: Stoops, Miles, Saban, Meyer, Patterson.

Petersen, Beamer, and Mack Brown are right up there.

I agree with except for as noted above...

Beamer gets little love because he plays tough defense and great special teams, which leads to victories. He's also done it forever at VaTech.

If I had my pick, I'd take Saban hands down as my #1.

[Art Vandelay]

If you haven't read the book, you should. Very entertaining.

I have and I agree. Barry is a born storyteller with a great history. I have at least 50 sports biographies sitting on the shelf next to me and have probably given or thrown away about as many over the years.

[Surfah]

I agree that if you were hiring, you'd have to be concerned about his age, but, as you mention above, his results speak for themselves.

Mack Brown isn't that old. He just turned 60.

[smokymountainrain]

I have and I agree. Barry is a born storyteller with a great history. I have at least 50 sports biographies sitting on the shelf next to me and have probably given or thrown away about as many over the years.

I think I read Bootleggers Boy when I was in HS and still consider it one of the better sports books I've read.

[Portland Ute]

Mack Brown isn't that old. He just turned 60.

He looks like he's in his mid-70's.

[Portland Ute]

Okay, so...

1)Peterson
2)Patterson
3)Saban
4)Meyer
5)Kelly/Petrino

[Cutty]

Stoops and Mack Brown belong on the most overrated coaches list.

Miles is a really terrible game coach. His clock management would make Andy Reid blush. That said, his players love him and he can recruit as well as anyone.

If I had to pick a top 5 I'd go: Saban, Meyer, Peterson, Pat Fitzgerald, Bill Synder.

[UtahJazzFan88]

Stoops and Mack Brown belong on the most overrated coaches list.

Miles is a really terrible game coach. His clock management would make Andy Reid blush. That said, his players love him and he can recruit as well as anyone.

If I had to pick a top 5 I'd go: Saban, Meyer, Peterson, Pat Fitzgerald, Bill Synder.

Does Les Miles' clock management top Chip Kelly's?

I think Bill Synder deserves more consideration.

[BoylenOver]

You guys realize just last year Les Miles was on the hot seat right? That he was hated in Baton Rouge for his stupid clock management and substitution patterns?

People were trying to run him out of town. Talent can make even bad coaches look good. See Gary Crowton in 2001.

Dude's 62-17 having to play Florida, Alabama, Auburn, and Arkansas every year.

IMO one guy that could move into the top 15 if he wins his next two games is Mark Dantonio. A basketball school competing for Midwest recruits against much bigger programs, and they've had a fair amount of success.

[smokymountainrain]

Stoops and Mack Brown belong on the most overrated coaches list.

Miles is a really terrible game coach. His clock management would make Andy Reid blush. That said, his players love him and he can recruit as well as anyone.

If I had to pick a top 5 I'd go: Saban, Meyer, Peterson, Pat Fitzgerald, Bill Synder.

Is it the losing record in conference, the .500 record overall, the fact that he's been worse in the last couple seasons than he was when he first took over, the average 7th place conference finishes, or that he's only been marginally better than Walker was at Northwestern during his time there that causes you to put him in your top 5?

[smokymountainrain]

Does Les Miles' clock management top Chip Kelly's?

I think Bill Synder deserves more consideration.

I agree, I thought about Snyder too, he's been excellent.

[UtahJazzFan88]

Les Miles was on the hot seat last year after having an 11-2 season (losing to the National Champion, and a team that went to the Sugar Bowl), beating Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl? Interesting.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

I love Chip, he isn't in the top 5. He is trending in the right direction and could put himself in that discussion over the next few years, but right now he isn't. Maybe pushing the top 10, probably more accurate to say top 15.


Meyer clearly has some kind of magic that he is able to work.
Saban is unreal, of course he gets to sign 40 kids per class so that helps make recruiting always a success.
Stoops just wins 10 games a year.

Those three I think are pretty clearly above everyone else.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

Les Miles was on the hot seat last year after having an 11-2 season (losing to the National Champion, and a team that went to the Sugar Bowl), beating Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl? Interesting.

Yeah, says a lot more about the fan base and their expectations than the coach.