CBS Sports and 247Sports ranked all 68 Power Four coaches entering the 2025 season, highlighting the top 25 leaders shaping college football’s most competitive programs ahead of kickoff.
As the 2025 college football season approaches, CBS Sports and 247Sports have once again teamed up to deliver their highly anticipated rankings of the top Power Four head coaches. The list evaluates all 68 head coaches from the SEC, Big Ten, ACC, and Big 12, providing a comprehensive look at the coaching landscape ahead of another pivotal year in college football. With the sport continuing to evolve in the age of NIL, the transfer portal, expanded playoffs, and conference realignment, head coaches are under more scrutiny—and pressure—than ever before.
From perennial national title contenders to program rebuilders, the top 25 coaches showcase a blend of experience, innovation, and results. Here’s a deep dive into the leaders who have positioned themselves at the top of college football heading into the 2025 season.
1. Kirby Smart – Georgia Bulldogs
There’s no surprise at No. 1. Kirby Smart has built Georgia into the nation’s most dominant program. With two national titles in three years (2021 and 2022) and continued College Football Playoff appearances, Smart’s Bulldogs remain the team to beat in the SEC and nationally. His ability to reload year after year through recruiting and player development keeps Georgia in a league of its own.
2. Jim Harbaugh – Michigan Wolverines
Harbaugh’s Wolverines finally climbed the mountain by winning the national championship in 2023. Although he briefly flirted with the NFL again, Harbaugh doubled down on his Michigan legacy. Back-to-back wins over Ohio State and three straight Big Ten titles secure his place near the top.
3. Kalen DeBoer – Alabama Crimson Tide
Replacing Nick Saban was no easy task, but Kalen DeBoer has proven up to the challenge. After leading Washington to the national championship game in 2023, DeBoer took the reins in Tuscaloosa and immediately stabilized the Tide, maintaining their elite standard with a top-five finish in his first year.
4. Dan Lanning – Oregon Ducks
Lanning has established Oregon as the class of the Big Ten West, combining SEC-style recruiting with explosive offense and hard-nosed defense. His ability to navigate Oregon’s transition from the Pac-12 has been impressive, and he’s widely viewed as one of the rising stars in coaching.
5. Mike Norvell – Florida State Seminoles
Norvell restored Florida State to national prominence with an undefeated regular season in 2023. Though injuries derailed a potential playoff run, his rebuild of the Seminoles is among the most impressive in recent memory. With elite recruiting and a firm grip on the ACC, Norvell is a force.
6. Steve Sarkisian – Texas Longhorns
The Longhorns are back—and Sarkisian is the reason why. A Big 12 championship and playoff appearance in 2023 proved his system works. Now in the SEC, Sarkisian is expected to keep Texas in the playoff conversation thanks to elite QB play and talent acquisition.
7. Ryan Day – Ohio State Buckeyes
Day remains one of the sport’s best offensive minds, but three straight losses to Michigan have dimmed his shine. A loaded 2025 roster puts pressure on Day to deliver a playoff run—or face mounting criticism from Buckeye Nation.
8. Lincoln Riley – USC Trojans
Riley’s reputation took a hit after defensive struggles plagued USC in 2023 and 2024. But with a new defensive coordinator and a fresh crop of talent, Riley remains a premier play-caller capable of engineering a bounce-back season in the Big Ten.
9. Josh Heupel – Tennessee Volunteers
Heupel continues to elevate Tennessee, making the Vols nationally relevant with his high-powered offense and strong recruiting. His 11-win 2024 campaign earned respect, and with elite quarterback prospects arriving in Knoxville, expectations are sky-high.
10. Lance Leipold – Kansas Jayhawks
No coach has done more with less than Leipold. He transformed Kansas from Big 12 doormat to a legitimate contender, producing back-to-back bowl wins and finishing 10-3 last year. Leipold’s blend of discipline and player development makes him one of the sport’s most respected figures.
11. Kyle Whittingham – Utah Utes
Whittingham remains a model of consistency, guiding Utah to double-digit wins despite injuries in 2024. Now in the Big 12, the Utes are poised to contend thanks to his physical brand of football and elite culture.
12. James Franklin – Penn State Nittany Lions
Franklin consistently wins 10 games and recruits well, but struggles against Ohio State and Michigan have kept Penn State out of the playoff. 2025 is a pivotal year for his legacy in Happy Valley.
13. Mike Elko – Texas A&M Aggies
Elko has already made waves since returning to College Station, transforming the Aggies into an SEC contender after the Jimbo Fisher era. Known for his elite defenses and no-nonsense approach, Elko’s impact has been immediate.
14. Brent Venables – Oklahoma Sooners
After a rough start, Venables has Oklahoma back in the national mix. His defense-first philosophy has reshaped the Sooners, who are now more physical and SEC-ready than ever before.
15. Dave Clawson – Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Clawson remains underappreciated nationally, but what he’s done at Wake Forest is remarkable. Year after year, he wins with less talent and an innovative offensive scheme. A model of program-building.
16. Jonathan Smith – Michigan State Spartans
Smith’s first season in East Lansing was promising, with notable wins and a return to bowl play. After his success at Oregon State, he’s proving to be a culture-builder in the Big Ten.
17. Mark Stoops – Kentucky Wildcats
Stoops continues to make Kentucky a consistent bowl team, a feat previously thought impossible. His defenses are always tough, and his recruiting has elevated UK’s ceiling in the SEC.
18. Jeff Brohm – Louisville Cardinals
Brohm returned home to Louisville and led the Cardinals to a 10-win season and ACC Championship Game appearance. His creative offense and leadership are turning heads nationally.
19. Dave Doeren – NC State Wolfpack
Doeren remains one of the most consistent coaches in the ACC. Despite never reaching the CFP, he’s built a tough, physical program capable of competing with anyone.
20. Deion Sanders – Colorado Buffaloes
Coach Prime’s debut season was a rollercoaster, but the attention and recruits he’s brought to Boulder are undeniable. If he can build in the trenches, he could crack the top 10 soon.
21. Matt Rhule – Nebraska Cornhuskers
Rhule’s rebuild is progressing steadily, with Nebraska looking more competitive and disciplined. Known for his turnarounds at Baylor and Temple, 2025 could be the year the Cornhuskers re-emerge.
22. Jedd Fisch – Washington Huskies
Fisch inherited a talented roster but deserves credit for maintaining momentum after Kalen DeBoer’s departure. His offensive innovation and recruiting success have Huskies fans optimistic.
23. Chris Klieman – Kansas State Wildcats
Klieman has turned K-State into a Big 12 title contender, winning with player development and toughness. A proven winner with FCS national titles, he’s a culture coach who consistently delivers.
24. Brent Brennan – Arizona Wildcats
Brennan’s Wildcats have surged in the new-look Big 12 thanks to a powerful offense and improved defense. His calm leadership and steady climb in Tucson have earned national respect.
25. Mike Locksley – Maryland Terrapins
Locksley broke through with a 9-win 2024 season, showcasing his ability to recruit and develop talent. Maryland is no longer an afterthought in the Big Ten East.
Honorable Mentions
- Pat Narduzzi (Pitt) – Tough, defense-minded coach with an ACC title under his belt.
- Hugh Freeze (Auburn) – Still rebuilding, but big recruiting wins give him upside.
- Greg Schiano (Rutgers) – Has made Rutgers competitive again in the Big Ten.
- Marcus Freeman (Notre Dame) – Solid recruiter, but still searching for consistent wins in big games.
Final Thoughts
This year’s rankings from CBS Sports and 247Sports highlight how dynamic and competitive the Power Four coaching landscape has become. The top 25 coaches include championship winners, program builders, and innovative minds all striving to navigate the complex realities of modern college football.
With the 12-team playoff debuting this fall, these coaches won’t just be judged by regular-season success but by postseason performance. Expectations are high, and the margin for error is slim. As the 2025 season kicks off, all eyes will be on these 25 leaders to see who can rise, who can repeat, and who can re-write their legacy.
