I think people are a bit rough on Deboer. Even before Saban left, there were cracks showing. When he left there was a mass exodus of talent. Deboer did a good job of holding on to what he could and its gonna take time. I am not sure if he has the time but its not like plug and play. Ryan Day has been playing with a stacked deck for the last 6-7 years and has one Natty to show for it. Dabo.. I think hit the QB lottery a couple of times with Watson and Lawrence he is a really good coach but number 2? GIvne the situations they went into and what they got out of it so far, I'd rank em like this. All of these guys are really good to great coaches.
1 Smart took a perennial also-ran to the top and is on the verge of building a dynasty
2 Freeman low-key has done an amazing job at ND. It is a much harder job than some might realise.
3 Franklin prevented epic dumpster fire and Penn State
4 Heupel turned around epic dumpster fire at UT a school that's been the 4th prince in the royal family. Very similar situation to Penn State.
5 Kelly- sustained success
6 Day - silver spoon. In the pre 2024 big ten OSU and Michigan were the easiest schools to get 10 wins a year at in the country. Anyone could have pulled it off. Since 1967 only once has OSU had a losing record (2011) they went 12-0 the next year.
7 Deboer what he did at Washington and Fresno was laudable and Bama is a much harder job than Saban made it out to be especially in the NIL world. What he can pull off this year will tell the story.
8 Swinney- benefited from the decline of FSU/Miami during his tenure. The Carolinas and Virginia are underrated recruiting hotbeds.
9 Franklin- its hard being the third son (big10). and now he has bigger stepbrothers to compete with. he made his bones at vandy and won there.. then took on radioactive penn state post scandal.
10 Sarkisian-- does not really have a strong track record. he has won more than 9 games twice... the last 2 years but won big those 2
1 Smart took a perennial also-ran to the top and is on the verge of building a dynasty
2 Freeman low-key has done an amazing job at ND. It is a much harder job than some might realise.
3 Franklin prevented epic dumpster fire and Penn State
4 Heupel turned around epic dumpster fire at UT a school that's been the 4th prince in the royal family. Very similar situation to Penn State.
5 Kelly- sustained success
6 Day - silver spoon. In the pre 2024 big ten OSU and Michigan were the easiest schools to get 10 wins a year at in the country. Anyone could have pulled it off. Since 1967 only once has OSU had a losing record (2011) they went 12-0 the next year.
7 Deboer what he did at Washington and Fresno was laudable and Bama is a much harder job than Saban made it out to be especially in the NIL world. What he can pull off this year will tell the story.
8 Swinney- benefited from the decline of FSU/Miami during his tenure. The Carolinas and Virginia are underrated recruiting hotbeds.
9 Franklin- its hard being the third son (big10). and now he has bigger stepbrothers to compete with. he made his bones at vandy and won there.. then took on radioactive penn state post scandal.
10 Sarkisian-- does not really have a strong track record. he has won more than 9 games twice... the last 2 years but won big those 2
