Sonny Dykes promoted Samples to associate head coach earlier this year. Is back at Ohio State after starring for the Buckeyes as a wide receiver (2005-08). Ranked as one of the top recruiters in the Big 12 for the 2021 recruiting class. Two of Simpsons cornerbacks were named second-team All-Conference USA last season (Brontae Harris and TD Marshall). Was the lead recruiter on five-star 2022 linebacker C.J. As a player, Simpson was a starting cornerback at South Alabama in 2010 and 11, when current UAB coach Bill Clark was the Jaguars defensive coordinator. Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. A note: We limited the list to coaches under 45 and did not include anyone who is already an offensive or defensive co-coordinator at the Power 5 level, which is why you wont see guys such as Glenn Schumann (Georgia), Jon Sumrall (Kentucky) or Brian Williams (Maryland) despite their names coming up several times during the information-gathering process. Taylor, who was promoted to run game coordinator for Notre Dame last year, was looked at during the South Alabama and Buffalo coaching searches. As a player, Wright was an All-American defensive lineman at Texas and was one of the leaders of the Longhorns 2005 national championship team. After all, coaches who win a seemingly endless number of games arent necessarily good, and those who lose games arent necessarily bad. 2 in the SEC in pass defense in its first season under Rushing and should be even better this fall. During his oneyear as the Tornadoes coach, Harris led the team to a 14-0 record, a state title, a No. Kelly, who is widely known as one of the top innovators in the rise of the spread offense in college football, helped the Bruins rack up 503.6 yards per game and 7.01 yards per play, both of which . Bud Wilkinson. Zach has been FootballScoop's national columnist since 2012. For what it's worth, Gattis made $525,000 while coaching the Crimson Tide's wide receivers in 2018. The Western Michigan program was trending way down when Fleck took over the program in 2013. Is a highly respected and connected figure in south Florida. He lost the first two rival games in 2014 and 2015 to make it 14 straight but has since won four of the last five. Drew Mehringer, Texas -- $350,000 10. Had two All-Conference USA honorable mention selections in his first season at Louisiana Tech (Smoke Harris and Cee Jay Powell). Quarterback Elite (QBE) is one of the premier QB & WR development programs in the nation headquartered in Utah. He interviewed for the South Alabama head coach job this past cycle and has interviewed for NFL wide receivers coach openings with the Baltimore Ravens and Green Bay Packers. 12), pass efficiency defense (No. Their rushing efficiency stands out for a program like this theyre 14th in the Power Five in EPA per rush over the last three seasons, a mightily impressive figure. The greatest coach in college football history wonders aloud how the SEC could possibly be so cruel to the Crimson Tide. Tettleton, a former record-setting quarterback at Ohio (2009-13) and the son of former major league catcher Mickey Tettleton, was hired as the Bobcats running backs coach in late July. That win rate climbed to 76% in the excellent Danny Ford era, leading to Clemson's first National Championship win in 1981, but then they went back to being Clemson between 1990 and Dabos full-time appointment in 2009, winning 61% of their games during that span. 25. Jacob Peeler, Ole Miss -- $425,000 6. FSU has gone 14-20 in that period. He rushed for 1,125 yards during the Fighting Irishs run to the College Football Playoff last season. Played and learned under coaches such as Will Muschamp and Ted Roof and got his start in coaching as a graduate assistant under Roof at Penn State (2012) and Georgia Tech (2013-14). As a new season approaches, let's take a moment to compare Saban's accomplishments -- and those of other active coaches -- to the best of college football's modern times. Such is the all-encompassing importance of the quarterback position. Williams coached Chris Steele to second-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2020. One of the best WR in college football history is Torry Holt. Ohio State wide receivers coach Brian Hartline has established himself as one of the best assistants in all of college football over the past few years. At East Carolina, end Nate Harvey was the AAC Defensive Player of the Year under Wright. He was Auburns recruiting coordinator in 2019 in addition to being the Tigers secondary coach. Helped Iowa State compile a top-10 ranking in 2020 along with a Fiesta Bowl win over Oregon. Since 2016, the Utes have been the best defense in the conference, posting a cumulative -0.149 EPA allowed per play in those five seasons. The group also includes talented young players such as sophomore Jermaine Burton and promising freshman Adonai Mitchell, whom Hankton landed after he was initially committed to Ole Miss. Fickells record would surely have him higher on this list if it weren't for the fact that the Bearcats program has been wildly successful over the last couple of decades. Jacob Peeler, Ole Miss -- $425,000 6. Former Texas A&M starting quarterback; he beat out current Tennessee Titans starter Ryan Tannehill for the Aggies starting QB job. Among them were sacks per game (2.2) and tackles for loss per game (8.0). They have played in 10 under Fitzgerald. Had a second-team All-Sun Belt cornerback last season in his first year at Georgia State (Quavian White). Has coached 11 All-American offensive linemen throughout his career. Under Williams, USC allowed just 216.3 passing yards per game last season, its lowest number since 2013. 22. Dameyune Craig, Texas A&M -- $700,000 4. He then led Waynesboro Area (Pa.) to a share of the league title a year after finishing 0-10. Now hes revamped the Texas A&M program, going 26-10 in three seasons and coming off a 9-1 season with huge aspirations for a national title hunt in 2021. Mike Krysl played for Willie Fritz at Central Missouri, coordinated special teams for him at Georgia Southern, and will now coach special teams again at Tulane. Is one of the latest coaching stars to emerge from the tree of former. Of course, he was wildly successful in the years before his Buffalo tenure. 4 in 2020 (398.5). Under Brock in 2019, Washington State ranked first in the Pac-12 in field goal percentage (95.2) as well as second in punt-return average and kick-return defense. 1 in the Pac-12 last season (184.9 yards per game). Chadwell arrived at Coastal Carolina from Charleston Southern, where he won two of the school's three conference championships and clinched the program's only two playoff berths. Hall) was a three-time finalist for FCS Defensive Player of the Year. section: | slug: ranking-the-top-25-power-five-college-football-coaches-entering-the-2022-season | sport: collegefootball | route: article_single.us | Isaiah McDuffie (a sixth-round pick) ranked fifth nationally in. The Greatest Entertainers Of All Time. The QBE coaching staff over the years has included former D1 QB coach & Offensive Coordinator Brandon Doman, 10 year NFL QB Koy Detmer, Canadian . 382 votes. Cortez Hankton, LSU -- $850,000+ 2. Was part of an Indiana staff that transformed the Hoosiers program from 23 losing records in a 24-year period to back-to-back winning seasons in 2019 and 20, including a 6-1 mark in Big Ten play last fall. In 2021, he returns a team talented enough to win ISUs first conference title. In the past three years, four A&M defensive linemen have been selected in the first four rounds of the NFL draft. -- Gundy serves as Lincoln Riley's co-offensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator in addition to coaching Oklahoma's inside receivers. Has been working up at the college level since 2015 after two jobs as a high school coach. Franklin has performed just as well with the Nittany Lions. Age: 60. PFF's exclusive metrics provide matchup previews, position rankings, grades, and snap counts. That . 11 in the AAC in total defense in 2018 (496.8 yards per game) and No. Was a quarterback at Oklahoma (2006-08) when Heupel was the Sooners quarterbacks coach, then got his start in coaching under Heupel as a support staffer at Oklahoma from 2009-14. That includes Xavier Hutchinson, who emerged as a first-team all-conference player as a freshman under Scheelhaase in 2020. Currently ranked among the nation's top 15 recruiters for the 2022 recruiting class. Rejoined Will Healy in 2019 after one season at Minnesota. A protege of Texas A&M coordinator Mike Elko, Santucci was a grad assistant at Wake Forest under Elko (2014-15), an analyst under Elko at Notre Dame (2017) and Texas A&M (2018) and now is in his second season back with Elko as the Aggies linebackers coach. Saban is now at 88%. Theyve won 21 games in 11 years. After serving as a little-used backup in 2019, Bentley broke out in his first season under Samples and led the AAC with 913 rushing yards in 2020. They ranked 108th in the FBS in EPA per play over 2014 and 2015. Nate Scheelhassee, Iowa State -- $500,000+14. Thomas Cahill enjoyed mild success in the mid-1960s, going 23-7. That 2019 Austin Peay defense ranked in the top 16 of the FCS in total defense (No. Darrin Chiaverini, Colorado -- $550,000* 6. His current wide receiver corps includes two players who have developed into 2022 NFL Draft prospects. Landed two four-star defensive backs in that 2021 class. Was a linebacker at Georgia (2009-12) and made 17 career starts for the Bulldogs. Was UCFs quarterbacks coach last season after working as an analyst in 2019. Turned down a job offer from Michigan this offseason. Former USC star wide receiver (2000-03) who left as the Trojans career leader in receptions. After a decent 7-7 start in 2018, the team is 21-4 over the last two seasons. Jordan Addison has become a bona fide star under Marion at Pitt. Smith, who filled in as the Hokies defensive play-caller during a 45-24 win over NC State, was promoted to defensive pass game coordinator earlier this year. Interviewed for the Boston College coaching job two years ago and turned down the Tennessee coordinator job this past cycle. In July, he secured a commitment from four-star 2022 running back Nicholas Singleton, while also teaming with offensive line coach Phil Trautwein to land five-star 2023 offensive lineman Alex Birchmeier. Here are the 25 best college football coaches in America heading into the 2022 season. Also is a respected special teams coordinator. Has coached four top-10 kickoff-return units in his career. Anyone who saw him play at N.C. State knew the Rams and the Greatest Show on Turf got something special. 4) and punt-return defense (No. After moving from the Mountain West to the Pac-12 and starting 18-19 over the first three years, the Utes now have won at least nine games in five of the last six seasons, not including the shortened 2020 season. On Monday he will be coaching in the College Football Playoffs national championship game,. Regarded as one of the best kickoff-return and special teams coaches in the country. Bryan McClendon, Georgia -- $700,000+4. Helped Houston go from No. 2023 On3 Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Tyler Grisham, Clemson -- $450,000+15. Was the lead recruiter for the Trojans on five-star 2022 cornerback Domani Jackson, who committed to USC in January. At Oregon in 2018, Williams cornerbacks group contributed to the Ducks posting 20 interceptions, which ranked second nationally. Helped BCs defense improve by an average of 71 yards per game against conference opponents in 2020 (from 494 yards per game under the previous staff in 2019 to 422.8 yards per game last season). Another Trojans cornerback, Olaijah Griffin, finished with the third-highest Pro Football Focus grade for 2020 among Pac-12 corners. Jan 18, 2022. 2016 New England Patriots (QB Coach/O-Cord) 14-2 Won Super Bowl 51 over ATL. Was his fathers offensive coordinator at Miami Booker T. Washington from 2009-13 and then served as the teams coach in 2014 before being hired at FIU. Has been interviewed for multiple FBS head-coach openings, including South Alabama this past cycle. Dameyune Craig, Texas A&M -- $600,000 2. His rsum includes a successful run as an FCS coach, time as an FBS offensive coordinator and now SEC experience with a coach known for putting up big offensive numbers. David Johnson, Tennessee -- $505,000 4. Has been contacted about at least a couple of coordinator opportunities the past few years. Under Merritt, James Madison running back Percy Agyei-Obese was a first-team all-conference selection each of the past two seasons. Until Tom Allen, that is,who sits at 52%. Theyre listed alphabetically. To help develop Drake Maye and the Heels' quarterbacks, Mack Brown is bringing in one of the NFL's most accomplished quarterbacks coaches. This upcoming weekend Alabama football is set to host multiple top recruits in the 2024 class on campus as head coach Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide gear up for another calendar year of. The way hes been able to develop linemen at the FCS level and now at the Power 5 level speaks for itself.. We just rank coaches from 1-65 using any criteria we choose to follow, and then we see the results. And this is precisely why Dabo could be seen as more successful than Saban the Clemson program is not an important program in college footballs history, unlike the Crimson Tide. Special teams coordinators, in theory, coach nearly every player on the roster, and they're responsible for all 11 players on the field at a given time. Michigan replaced Gattis by moving Ron Bellamy from safeties to wide receivers. But Saban is still No. While Williams salary numbers arent public, a source told On3 that Williams is the highest-paid non-coordinator in the nation. Previously assisted in the development of Molden, McDuffie and others as the Huskies assistant defensive backs coach. The defense has improved by leaps and bounds under Allen, who came to the school as a defensive coordinator in 2016. Flying above or below program expectations was the most important point when putting this list together. Is a former Sooners player (2000-01) and the younger brother of Arkansas defensive coordinator Barry Odom. After feeling his way around early in his Bulls tenure, Leipold went 24-10 in his last three seasons before landing this Kansas job. 1 recruiter in the country in 2020 and is No. The Heupel-led staff felt like they uncovered a diamond in the rough when they initially hired Merritt at UCF. It's a perfect process! From high school to college, Bowden remained loyal to football. Not a single Indiana coach won more than 50% of his games since Bo McMillins run between 1934 and 1947. Bob Davie and Tyrone Willingham then went on to win only 58% of their games combined before Charlie Weis five years produced a 56% win rate. Kasey Dunn, Oklahoma State -- $800,000* 3. Under Harris, FIU running back DVonte Price developed into one of the nations most productive running backs last season (116.2 yards per game) and a potential early-round 2022 NFL Draft pick. For the final part of On3s three-part project on up-and-coming coaches, we take a look at rising-star position coaches as well as some highly regarded support staffers. But that is not the program Jimbo Fisher inherited in 2010. Because of his achievements with the Seminoles team of Florida State University, Bobby Bowden is one of the most famous and greatest college coaches of all time. Was promoted earlier this year to associate head coach. Kinne, Recent jobs: UCF (2021), Hawaii offensive coordinator (2020), Philadelphia Eagles special projects assistant (2019), Arkansas offensive analyst (2018), Recent jobs: Tennessee (2021), Rice offensive coordinator (2018-20), North Carolina Central head coach (2014-17), Recent jobs: Pitt (2021), Hawaii wide receivers coach (2020), William & Mary offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach (2019), Howard offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach (2017-18), Oklahoma Baptist running backs coach (2016), Arizona State quality control coach (2015), Tennessee senior offensive analyst Matt Merritt, Recent jobs: Tennessee (2021), James Madison running backs coach (2019-20), Elon running backs coach/special teams coordinator (2017-18), Oklahoma inside linebackers coach Brian Odom, Recent jobs: Oklahoma (2019-present), Missouri outside linebackers coach (2017-18), Washington State defensive quality control coach (2015-16), Georgia State cornerbacks coach Cory Peoples, Recent jobs: Georgia State (2020-present), Georgia Southern cornerbacks coach (2018), Albany State defensive coordinator (2017), Recent jobs: Memphis (2020-present), Liberty linebackers coach (2019), Alabama graduate assistant (2017-18), Baylor special teams coordinator/safeties coach Matthew Powledge, Recent jobs: Baylor (2020-present), Louisiana special teams coordinator/outside linebackers coach (2018-19), ULM special teams coordinator/tight ends coach (2016-17), Florida linebackers coach Christian Robinson, Recent jobs: Florida (2018-present), Mississippi State graduate assistant (2017), Ole Miss graduate assistant (2015-16), Texas A&M defensive line coach Elijah Robinson, Recent jobs: Texas A&M (2018-present), Baylor defensive line coach (2017), Temple defensive line coach (2014-16), Texas A&M defensive backs coach TJ Rushing, Recent jobs: Texas A&M (2020-present), Memphis secondary coach/defensive pass game coordinator (2018-19), Arizona State secondary coach (2016-17), Recent jobs: SMU running backs coach (2020-present), SMU offensive assistant (2019), Texas offensive analyst/on-campus recruiter (2018), Texas A&M linebackers coach Tyler Santucci, Recent jobs: Texas A&M (2020-present), Wake Forest (2019), Texas A&M analyst (2018), Notre Dame analyst (2017), Texas State linebackers coach (2016), Iowa State running backs/wide receivers coach Nate Scheelhaase, Recent jobs: Iowa State (2018-present), Illinois analyst (2016-17), Illinois running backs coach (2015), Penn State running backs coach JaJuan Seider, Recent jobs: Penn State (2018-present), Florida running backs coach (2017), West Virginia running backs coach (2013-16), LSU offensive graduate assistant Derek Shay, Recent jobs: LSU (2020-present), McNeese State tight ends coach (2019), Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy offensive line coach (2017-18), Recent jobs: UAB cornerbacks coach (2019-present), UAB analyst/grad assistant (2016-18), South Alabama quality control coach (2014-15), Virginia Tech cornerbacks coach Ryan Smith, Recent jobs: Virginia Tech (2020-present), James Madison safeties coach (2019), Elon secondary coach (2017-18), Penn State graduate assistant (2015-16), Notre Dame running backs coach Lance Taylor, Recent jobs: Notre Dame (2019-present), Carolina Panthers wide receivers coach (2017-18), Stanford running backs coach (2014-16), Recent jobs: Ohio (2021), LSU analyst (2020), Cleveland Browns quality control coach (2019), New York Jets pro personnel intern (2018), Oklahoma graduate assistant (2015-17), Ohio State linebackers coach Al Washington, Recent jobs: Ohio State (2019-present), Michigan linebackers coach (2018), Cincinnati defensive line coach (2017), Boston College assistant (2012-16), Charlotte co-coordinator/defensive line coach Marcus West, Recent jobs: Charlotte (2019-present), Minnesota defensive line pass rush specialist (2018), Austin Peay co- coordinator/defensive line coach (2016-17), Recent jobs: USC (2020-present), Oregon cornerbacks coach (2018-19), Nebraska cornerbacks coach (2017), Arizona cornerbacks coach (2016), San Jose State secondary coach/recruiting coordinator (2013-15), Florida State secondary coach Marcus Woodson, Recent jobs: Florida State (2020-present), Auburn secondary coach (2018-19), Memphis secondary coach (2016-17), Fresno State secondary coach (2014-15), UTSA co-coordinator/defensive line coach Rod Wright, Recent jobs: UTSA (2019-present), East Carolina defensive line coach (2018), Sam Houston State defensive line coach (2014-17).