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The Best Coaching Jobs So Far in 2023

Mike Farrell on how Jim Harbaugh, Brent Venables, Eli Drinkwitz and others are coaching at an elite level

Mike Farrell| October 25, 2023 (Updated: July 24, 2025)
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Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh talks to referee regarding a play against Indiana during the first half of U-M's 52-7 win over Indiana on Saturday
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh talks to referee regarding a play against Indiana during the first half of U-M's 52-7 win over Indiana on Saturday

The best coaching jobs this season in college football are kinda easy: here’s my top 10.


1. Jim Harbaugh, Michigan

— Love him or hate him, his team is prepared, never let up, and simply dominate. I know they haven’t played anyone yet, but they destroy opponents and never let up, and that’s a sign of good coaching.

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh looks on from the sidelines during the Wolverines' game against Indiana on Oct. 14, 2023.

2. Kalen DeBoer, Washington

— What he’s doing at Washington, despite a few clunkers, is astonishing, and he has this team a legitimate national title contender.

Oct 14, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies head coach Kalen Deboer is interviewed after defeating the Oregon Ducks at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium.

3. Mike Elko, Duke

— Could he be higher? He sure could be, as this is a completely different Duke team than we are used to seeing.

Sep 4, 2023; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney talks with Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Elko while fans storm the field after the game at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C.

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4. Brent Venables, Oklahoma

— A case can be made for No. 1 as he’s gone from a concern to an upgrade over the previous regime.

Oklahoma coach Brent Venables celebrates with Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) after the Red River Rivalry college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the University of Texas (UT) Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. Oklahoma won 34-30.

5. Eli Drinkwitz, Missouri

— Drink was on a warm seat headed into the season, and now he’s 7-1 with a team that should be ranked even higher than No. 16.

Nov 25, 2022; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz watches play against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium.

6. Kyle Whittingham, Utah

— No Cam Rising, no problem, as he continues to beat teams with better rosters by out coaching and out scheming teams.

Oct 21, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham celebrates after the game against the Southern California Trojans at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

7. Nick Saban, Alabama

— He gets overlooked, but after the Texas loss and the South Florida game, we all wrote off Alabama, and we shouldn’t have.

Sep 23, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban questions a call by an official during the game with Mississippi at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated Mississippi 24-10.

8. Ryan Day, Ohio State

— Day has won games in the past with offense, and now he’s winning close defensive struggles. That’s the sign of a good coach.

Oct 21, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day reacts during the first half of the NCAA football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium.

9. Deion Sanders, Colorado

— You may think he doesn’t belong, and from a pure coaching perspective, maybe he doesn’t, but no one expected 4-3 at this stage.

Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) is congratulated for his touchdown by head coach Deion Sanders in the first quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Folsom Field.

10. Kirby Smart, Georgia

— He makes it look easy, and it’s not as he continues to replace defensive stars and has made a seamless transition with a new QB.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart speaks with Kentucky coach Mark Stoops before the start of a NCAA college football game against Kentucky in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023.

Who’s missing?

Category: College Football, NewsTag: Brent Venables, Coach Prime, Deion Sanders, Eli Drinkwitz, Jim Harbaugh, Kalen DeBoer, Kirby Smart, Kyle Whittingham, Mike Elko, Mike Farrell, Nick Saban, Ryan Day
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