Greg McElroy Names Top 3 Head Coach in College Football

Greg McElroy, a former quarterback for the Alabama Crimson Tide and now an analyst for ESPN, has often shared his thoughts on various topics related to college football, including ranking the top coaches in the game. His insights are typically well-informed, given his extensive background in both playing and analyzing college football. When discussing the top head coaches in college football, McElroy considers several factors, including on-field success, consistency, recruiting ability, leadership, and the ability to adapt to changes in the game.

For this piece, we will explore McElroy’s potential top three college football head coaches, taking into account his opinions, as well as broader trends in the sport, player development, and success over the past few years.

1. Nick Saban – Alabama Crimson Tide

No discussion of the top college football coaches can begin without the mention of Nick Saban. Widely regarded as one of the greatest head coaches in the history of college football, Saban has built a dynasty at Alabama that spans more than a decade. As of the 2020s, Saban has won seven national championships, six of those coming with Alabama. His ability to reload his team every year, maintain a championship-caliber program, and stay at the forefront of college football is unparalleled.

Success and Championships: Saban’s success on the field is unmatched. His teams consistently finish in the top 10, often competing for national titles. He has made over 20 appearances in bowl games and has finished in the top 5 of the Associated Press poll 13 times. His seven national championships, which include titles won at both LSU (2003) and Alabama (2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, and 2020), cement his legacy as the most successful coach of his era.

Recruiting Excellence: One of the cornerstones of Saban’s success is his exceptional ability to recruit talent. Every year, his teams are filled with five-star athletes who perform at the highest level. Saban’s recruiting prowess has helped Alabama assemble one of the most talented rosters in college football history. In fact, Saban has signed some of the best talent available in every position, from quarterback to defensive back. His recruiting success ensures that Alabama remains competitive year after year, even with changes in staff and players.

Adaptability: What sets Saban apart from many of his contemporaries is his ability to adapt to changing trends in college football. Initially known for his dominant defensive schemes, Saban has evolved with the times. He embraced the spread offense and the passing game, making Alabama’s offense just as potent as its defense. His willingness to adapt and evolve, while maintaining a disciplined and physical style of play, has made him a model for success in modern college football.

Leadership and Player Development: Saban’s leadership is another key factor in his success. He has developed numerous NFL players, many of whom are stars in the professional ranks. Under his guidance, players grow not only as athletes but as people. Saban instills discipline, work ethic, and a relentless desire to win in his players, and that carries over into every game. His ability to coach young men on and off the field is what truly sets him apart as a leader.

2. Dabo Swinney – Clemson Tigers

Dabo Swinney, the head coach at Clemson University, is another name that often comes up when discussing the top coaches in college football. Swinney has led Clemson to unprecedented success, turning the program into a perennial national title contender. His tenure at Clemson has been marked by consistent excellence, both in terms of wins and overall program culture.

National Championships and Success: Swinney took over as the head coach of Clemson in 2008, and since then, the program has reached incredible heights. Under his leadership, Clemson has won two national championships (2016 and 2018) and appeared in the College Football Playoff (CFP) every year from 2015 to 2020. Swinney’s success has helped elevate Clemson from a solid but unspectacular program to one of the most feared teams in college football.

Clemson’s 2018 national championship was a historic achievement. Swinney’s Tigers defeated Alabama in the title game, marking the first time in the Saban era that Alabama was decisively beaten in a national championship game. This victory signified Clemson’s rise as one of the top programs in college football, and Swinney’s leadership was central to their success.

Recruiting and Player Development: While Swinney does not have the same recruiting advantages as Saban, he has still managed to bring in highly talented players to Clemson, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Swinney’s ability to develop and coach his players is a defining characteristic of his tenure at Clemson. Players like Deshaun Watson, Trevor Lawrence, and Christian Wilkins became stars under Swinney’s tutelage, and his ability to develop quarterbacks has been particularly noteworthy.

Culture and Leadership: One of Swinney’s greatest strengths is his ability to build a winning culture at Clemson. His enthusiasm and positivity have created an environment where players buy into the system and work toward a common goal. Swinney has made Clemson a destination for top-tier talent, thanks to his commitment to developing not just football players but young men who will succeed both on and off the field.

Swinney is also known for his commitment to family values and his ability to foster a sense of unity within the program. His leadership style emphasizes trust, accountability, and a “player-first” mentality, which has helped create one of the most successful college football teams in the country.

3. Kirby Smart – Georgia Bulldogs

Kirby Smart, the head coach of the University of Georgia Bulldogs, is the youngest of the top-tier college coaches, but he has quickly established himself as one of the premier leaders in the game. Smart took over as Georgia’s head coach in 2016 and has turned the program into one of the most consistent and successful in college football.

National Championship and Success: While Smart’s tenure as Georgia’s head coach has not been as long as Saban’s or Swinney’s, it has been incredibly successful. Smart led Georgia to its first national championship since 1980, when the Bulldogs defeated Alabama in the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship game. The victory marked a major milestone in Georgia football history and established Smart as one of the elite coaches in college football.

Georgia has also made several appearances in the College Football Playoff under Smart, including a runner-up finish in 2017, and has consistently been one of the top teams in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Under Smart’s leadership, Georgia has become a perennial contender for the national title, largely due to Smart’s ability to recruit, coach, and develop talent at the highest level.

Recruiting and Player Development: Smart is known for his ability to recruit top-tier talent, and Georgia has consistently signed some of the best players in the country. The Bulldogs boast some of the most talented players in college football, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Smart’s defensive schemes, influenced by his time under Nick Saban, have helped turn Georgia into one of the most dominant defensive teams in the country. His ability to develop players has also been a key factor in Georgia’s success, particularly with his focus on building depth and building players’ skills.

Leadership and Culture: Like Saban and Swinney, Smart has built a winning culture at Georgia. He has focused on developing a disciplined, hardworking team that plays with intensity and physicality. His leadership style is very similar to Saban’s, as both coaches place a heavy emphasis on preparation, attention to detail, and teamwork. Smart’s ability to motivate and inspire his players has made Georgia one of the most feared programs in college football.