Top 10 College Football Coaching Jobs
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Crimson's Ghost
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Top 10 College Football Coaching Jobs
With LSU firing Les Miles this week, it got me thinking. Tom Herman is pretty much the hottest commodity in the coaching world. LSU likely has him at the top of their wish list. Will he take it?
So what are the best "jobs" in college football? I think you have to take in a variety of factors - location, recruiting base, tradition, facilities, fan base, salary ect. If you factor in all those circumstances, what are the best jobs in college football? Now this isn't a ranking of the best teams this season, or even the past 2-3 seasons. It's the ten best schools with practically no ceiling.
1. Texas - I just think if they can figure out how to hire a coach, that this thing can really get rolling. Unbelievable facilities and fan support. And the #1 selling point is the talent. No state produces more high school talent, and the name University of Texas gets you in the door with any kid in the state. There's tradition, money, and talent. Hard to believe we are ten years removed from the Vince Young national championship team, but it goes to show you that Texas can do it.
2. Florida - Much like Texas, the Gators have a lot going for them. Outside of Texas, Florida is the state with the most high school talent. The allure of playing in the Swamp and playing in the SEC calls out to kids. We saw Urban Meyer win 2 national championships in a three year stretch not too long ago. Again, if the right guy takes over, this job has unlimited potential.
3. Alabama - Nick Saban has effectively turned Alabama into a dynasty in his tenure, and a lot of the groundwork for his successor is in place. They have a crazed fan base that breathes football. The tradition at Alabama, especially recent tradition is unmatched by few if any. The state of Alabama isn't a crazy talent hotbed, but it's in close enough proximity to Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana. It just feels like one of those schools with an open checkbook. If you win, they'll get you anything you want.
4. Ohio State - Ohio is probably the most football obsessed state in the North. The name "Ohio State" carries weight in any recruit's home in the country. The tradition at Ohio State is as good as anyone's. The fan base for Ohio State is as loyal as you will find. Ohio State just feels like a college athletics super power. It's the type of job that would be hard to run into the ground.
5. Notre Dame - There's just something about Notre Dame that any coach will stop and listen to, at least for a little bit. It's perhaps the most legendary program in college football. They play a challenging independent schedule that has them on national TV 12 games every season, no matter what. The money from their own TV deal seems endless. Their fan base is national. The name Notre Dame again gives you a recruiting edge on almost anyone. The pressure, however may be the most of any job.
6. LSU - The state of Louisiana is an absolute hotbed for talent, and they are the only major program in the state. They have a diehard fanbase, great facilities, and they are in the spotlight trying to compete with Alabama annually. It's interesting to see who takes this job, because it's absolutely a job you have to pay attention to if they call.
7. Michigan - Michigan fans had it in their head that they wanted Jim Harbaugh to be their coach, and it felt unlikely for a long time....until it happened. Michigan has that kind of pull. They have one of the winningest programs of all time, and they were able to go pay the best available coach on the market. The Big House is a selling point as well.
8. USC - Los Angeles is a great place to be. We all saw what Pete Carroll did in his tenure with the Trojans. USC can be a force on the West Coast, and it has the recruiting pull to attract kids from anywhere. It seems their administration has done more harm than good lately, but as far as a truly good job, it can be as good as any.
9. Oklahoma - Bob Stoops has been at Oklahoma forever, but when he moves on it will be an attractive position. This is one of the most consistent programs through the years. They have a strong fan base, good funding and facilities, and they can recruit Texas as well as anyone not names Texas. You can win championships here.
10. Georgia - Georgia has that SEC clout. They have a rabid fan base, great campus and facilities as well. Georgia is able to recruit their home state at will and have close ties to Florida. Mark Richt was always able to win 9-10 games, but couldn't take them beyond that. I don't think that's an indication on the program however. They always seem to be a perennial top 15 type team, they aren't far from being a top five type team at any time.
This is just my opinion, I wonder if anyone else has some differing opinions.
I look at the ACC and I think Florida State and Clemson are right there with their resources, and Louisville is climbing the latter quickly. Miami and Virginia Tech CAN be good jobs, but not on the surface.
In the Big Ten, after the big 2, it's probably Penn State, a lot of the resources are there for them to be really good. Michigan State was never a power, but Dantonio has elevated the program. Wisconsin is really solid. Not a powerhouse program, but they have a lot going for them.
I'd say Oklahoma State and TCU are next in line in the Big 12. The rise to power of TCU in the past decade has been something to see.
I think with the Nike money Oregon's job will always be intriguing for anyone in the Pac 12. UCLA is a good gig, it has a lot of the advantages USC has, minus the tradition.
As far as the SEC goes, Tennessee, Auburn, and Texas A&M should also be really attractive gigs as well.
None of the jobs outside the "power 5" really bring much to the table, mainly because they are at a competitive disadvantage. Obviously the Boise State's, UCF's, and Houston's of the world are good solid mid-level jobs.
So what are the best "jobs" in college football? I think you have to take in a variety of factors - location, recruiting base, tradition, facilities, fan base, salary ect. If you factor in all those circumstances, what are the best jobs in college football? Now this isn't a ranking of the best teams this season, or even the past 2-3 seasons. It's the ten best schools with practically no ceiling.
1. Texas - I just think if they can figure out how to hire a coach, that this thing can really get rolling. Unbelievable facilities and fan support. And the #1 selling point is the talent. No state produces more high school talent, and the name University of Texas gets you in the door with any kid in the state. There's tradition, money, and talent. Hard to believe we are ten years removed from the Vince Young national championship team, but it goes to show you that Texas can do it.
2. Florida - Much like Texas, the Gators have a lot going for them. Outside of Texas, Florida is the state with the most high school talent. The allure of playing in the Swamp and playing in the SEC calls out to kids. We saw Urban Meyer win 2 national championships in a three year stretch not too long ago. Again, if the right guy takes over, this job has unlimited potential.
3. Alabama - Nick Saban has effectively turned Alabama into a dynasty in his tenure, and a lot of the groundwork for his successor is in place. They have a crazed fan base that breathes football. The tradition at Alabama, especially recent tradition is unmatched by few if any. The state of Alabama isn't a crazy talent hotbed, but it's in close enough proximity to Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana. It just feels like one of those schools with an open checkbook. If you win, they'll get you anything you want.
4. Ohio State - Ohio is probably the most football obsessed state in the North. The name "Ohio State" carries weight in any recruit's home in the country. The tradition at Ohio State is as good as anyone's. The fan base for Ohio State is as loyal as you will find. Ohio State just feels like a college athletics super power. It's the type of job that would be hard to run into the ground.
5. Notre Dame - There's just something about Notre Dame that any coach will stop and listen to, at least for a little bit. It's perhaps the most legendary program in college football. They play a challenging independent schedule that has them on national TV 12 games every season, no matter what. The money from their own TV deal seems endless. Their fan base is national. The name Notre Dame again gives you a recruiting edge on almost anyone. The pressure, however may be the most of any job.
6. LSU - The state of Louisiana is an absolute hotbed for talent, and they are the only major program in the state. They have a diehard fanbase, great facilities, and they are in the spotlight trying to compete with Alabama annually. It's interesting to see who takes this job, because it's absolutely a job you have to pay attention to if they call.
7. Michigan - Michigan fans had it in their head that they wanted Jim Harbaugh to be their coach, and it felt unlikely for a long time....until it happened. Michigan has that kind of pull. They have one of the winningest programs of all time, and they were able to go pay the best available coach on the market. The Big House is a selling point as well.
8. USC - Los Angeles is a great place to be. We all saw what Pete Carroll did in his tenure with the Trojans. USC can be a force on the West Coast, and it has the recruiting pull to attract kids from anywhere. It seems their administration has done more harm than good lately, but as far as a truly good job, it can be as good as any.
9. Oklahoma - Bob Stoops has been at Oklahoma forever, but when he moves on it will be an attractive position. This is one of the most consistent programs through the years. They have a strong fan base, good funding and facilities, and they can recruit Texas as well as anyone not names Texas. You can win championships here.
10. Georgia - Georgia has that SEC clout. They have a rabid fan base, great campus and facilities as well. Georgia is able to recruit their home state at will and have close ties to Florida. Mark Richt was always able to win 9-10 games, but couldn't take them beyond that. I don't think that's an indication on the program however. They always seem to be a perennial top 15 type team, they aren't far from being a top five type team at any time.
This is just my opinion, I wonder if anyone else has some differing opinions.
I look at the ACC and I think Florida State and Clemson are right there with their resources, and Louisville is climbing the latter quickly. Miami and Virginia Tech CAN be good jobs, but not on the surface.
In the Big Ten, after the big 2, it's probably Penn State, a lot of the resources are there for them to be really good. Michigan State was never a power, but Dantonio has elevated the program. Wisconsin is really solid. Not a powerhouse program, but they have a lot going for them.
I'd say Oklahoma State and TCU are next in line in the Big 12. The rise to power of TCU in the past decade has been something to see.
I think with the Nike money Oregon's job will always be intriguing for anyone in the Pac 12. UCLA is a good gig, it has a lot of the advantages USC has, minus the tradition.
As far as the SEC goes, Tennessee, Auburn, and Texas A&M should also be really attractive gigs as well.
None of the jobs outside the "power 5" really bring much to the table, mainly because they are at a competitive disadvantage. Obviously the Boise State's, UCF's, and Houston's of the world are good solid mid-level jobs.
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konjo78
- Official BleacherCoach
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- Joined: November 26th, 2011, 5:17 pm
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Re: Top 10 College Football Coaching Jobs
1. Alabama
2. Texas
3. Ohio State
4. Michigan
5. USC
6. Florida
7. Florida state
8. LSU
9. Texas AM
10. Oregon
2. Texas
3. Ohio State
4. Michigan
5. USC
6. Florida
7. Florida state
8. LSU
9. Texas AM
10. Oregon
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Crimsoncrush67
- Official BleacherCoach
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- Joined: September 9th, 2006, 8:04 pm
Re: Top 10 College Football Coaching Jobs
Interesting topic. However its pretty much just a list of the top ten programs annually. All these programs are in states with huge talent pools, long standing tradition, and administrations that understand that having a good football team makes the college lots of money.
For me I would be more attracted to building something. I look at a program like Navy that would be a great job. Or even here in Charlotte starting from scratch.
For me I would be more attracted to building something. I look at a program like Navy that would be a great job. Or even here in Charlotte starting from scratch.