Ranking the Coaches in the 2025-26 College Football Playoff
Getting to the 12-team College Football Playoff is tough, so it’s no shock that the coaches in this year’s field are some of the best in the game. You’ve got proven winners with national titles, guys who’ve turned programs around overnight, and a few rising stars who are about to take bigger jobs. It’s a really strong group with all kinds of backgrounds.
Here’s how I’d rank the 12 head coaches in the playoff, from top to bottom. Even the ones lower down would make most programs’ wish lists—the coaching quality here is that good.
Kirby Smart, Georgia
Easy choice for No. 1. He’s the only one with multiple national championships (2021 and 2022) and this is his fifth trip to the playoff. Since 2017 he’s 109-15 and Georgia never finishes worse than top 7. This year his team dealt with injuries and a young roster but still found ways to win close SEC games. That kind of resilience starts with the head coach, and right now nobody does it better than Kirby.
Ryan Day, Ohio State
Day has been nearly perfect lately—16-1 over the last year and a half, finally beating Michigan, and knocking off Oregon, Texas (twice), Penn State, and others. He lost a ton of talent to the NFL and both coordinators but still put together one of the country’s best teams. Bringing in guys like Chip Kelly and Matt Patricia shows he knows how to surround himself with great minds. One title would put him right next to Kirby.
Curt Cignetti, Indiana
The guy just wins everywhere. He took over a program that had never done much and in two years turned it into a 13-0 Big Ten champ. He brings in transfers and “misfits” from all over, gets them playing smart, tough football, and they flat-out execute. Indiana going undefeated is one of the best coaching stories we’ve seen in a long time.
Kalen DeBoer, Alabama
DeBoer took Washington to the natty two years ago and has kept Alabama rolling. His offenses always seem a step ahead—he’s 19-5 against ranked teams across his stops. There have been a couple of weird losses, but when his scheme clicks, it’s beautiful. Going from NAIA to Alabama and still winning big games is impressive.
Dan Lanning, Oregon
Four years in, Lanning is 46-7 with back-to-back playoff trips. He led Oregon through the move to the Big Ten, beat Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State, and went 13-0 before losing close to Georgia. His energy and messaging are perfect for big moments, and the Ducks look built for deep runs.
Mike Elko, Texas A&M
Elko turned Duke around fast, then came home to A&M and has them in the playoff for the first time. His teams play great defense and he’s built a real culture there. Only four years as a head coach, but he’s already 35-15 and looks like a future star.
Mario Cristobal, Miami
The veteran of the group. He’s recruited as well as anyone and finally got Miami back to back 10-win seasons and their first playoff berth. There are still some head-scratching losses in ACC play, but when you look at the talent he brings in and the big wins, he belongs in the upper half.
Joey McGuire, Texas Tech
McGuire knows Texas high school football inside out, and it shows in recruiting. He’s turned Tech into a consistent winner, never had a losing Big 12 record, and just won the conference for the first time ever. His teams blow people out when they’re rolling—he’s the perfect guy for where Tech is right now.
Brent Venables, Oklahoma
Everyone knew what he did as Clemson’s DC (two titles, six straight playoffs). The early years as a head coach were rough, but he’s got Oklahoma back to 10 wins and in the playoff despite a brutal schedule. That defense is nasty again, and he’s quieted all the hot-seat talk.
Jon Sumrall, Tulane
Four years as a head coach, four conference championship games, three titles. He’s 43-11 overall and just keeps winning. He’s heading to Florida after the playoff, so he’ll be coaching one game with Tulane while putting together his Gators staff—classic “Cignetti move.”
Bob Chesney, James Madison
Chesney dominated at lower levels (D-II title, five straight Patriot League titles at Holy Cross) and kept JMU rolling after Cignetti left. Going 21-5 in two years at a transitioning program is no small feat. UCLA is betting he can do the same thing out west next year.
Pete Golding, Ole Miss
Golding just got the head job a few weeks ago after Lane Kiffin left for LSU, so he hasn’t had much time yet. He’s a great recruiter and Ole Miss is talented, but with basically zero head-coaching experience he has to be last here. A good playoff run would change the conversation fast.
That’s the list. The top few have the rings and long track records, the middle is full of guys who’ve built winners quickly, and the bottom are newer names with huge upside. Should be a fun playoff to watch these coaches go at it. Who’s your favorite?
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