Being a head coach in any sport is very hard and time managing, but that is why they get paid the big bucks. Especially in CFB with the way the contracts have skyrocketed. The coaching carousel is hectic year after year with big names being fired and also hired. In this article, I will rank some of the top head coaches to land at different institutions. Let’s get started!
1. Luke Fickell, Cincinnati > Wisconsin
- W-L Record- (64-25) .719 Win%
We’ll start off with Luke Fickell, who to me is the best coach on the list. Starting off as a nose guard for the hometown Buckeyes back in the mid-’90s (1992-1996) starting a then-school record of 50 straight games, he would eventually be back in Columbus. As the DC and LB coach from 2012-2016, the Buckeyes went 61-5 winning the first CFP in 2014. His defense was a major part of that. Beginning his first full stint in Cincinnati in 2017, all he did there was go 57-18, become their all-time winningest coach, have 16 bearcats go to the NFL, and have an outstanding graduation rate of 100%. Wisconsin should be elated.
2. Hugh Freeze, Liberty > Auburn
- W-L Record- (83-43) .659 Win%
While many people have a love-hate relationship with Hugh Freeze, and with good reason, no one can deny that he can coach the best of them. While his overall record wasn’t great at Ole Miss, he has shown he can beat the big boys and develop players to go on to the NFL as well. Malik Willis at Liberty is a great example going into the third round of the 2022 draft. Winning against Alabama also helps, and that is exactly what Auburn wants. With his recruiting and development, he should do well so long as the ship can stay intact, along with the NIL.
More Sports News
3. Matt Rhule, Carolina Panthers > Nebraska
- W-L Record- (47-43) .522 Win%
All Matt Rhule has done at every stop is revitalize a program from the dead, aside from the NFL experiment of course, and I think he will do the exact same for Nebraska. He took Temple from 2-10 to back-to-back 10-win seasons in his last two years. He also took Baylor from 1-10 his first season to 11 wins in his last. While the NFL didn’t quite work out, his being back in the college ranks at a place now like Nebraska can take him even farther. He somehow has an expectational way of bonding with his players, and with his recruiting tactics, it should only be a short amount of time until the Cornhuskers are being talked about again.
4. Deion Sanders, Jackson State > Colorado
- W-L Record- (27-6) .818 Win%
Nowadays with Coach Prime in the FBS ranks, he along with Colorado is all everyone seems to be talking about. You can also add me to that list as well. I wasn’t around to see Primetime in his hay day (Washington, Baltimore Era), but I very well know what he has done to change the game along with the culture. He’s a Hall of Famer and the best CB to ever play hands down. Now with that being said, his short tenure as a head coach has also been great with over an 80% winning percentage. While many might question the competition, you certainly cannot question the results. The Buffs are already reaping the benefits of national exposure along with a recruiting boost as well. I think Colorado will be back sooner than later.
5. Jeff Brohm, Purdue > Louisville
- W-L Record- (66-44) .600 Win%
The hometown kid returns home to Louisville with a pretty good resume on his hands. Starring at Trinity High and becoming Kentucky’s Mr. Football in 1988, he then went on to star for the Cardinals to go along with getting his jersey in the ring of honor. After eight years in the NFL, he came back home to coach and immediately made an impact. As the QB coach and OC from 2003-2008, UofL became a force in their glory years with his little brother Brian leading the way. He eventually got his first shot as HC at Western Kentucky (2014) and boy did he. His offense exploded on the scene which earned top 10 status every year he was there. At Purdue was much of the same with recruiting and developing great players such as consensus All-Americans Rondale Moore and David Bell. Louisville should expect no different.
