Top 10 College Football Coaches of 2025

College football is a game of strategy, talent, and leadership. The coaches who helm these programs play a pivotal role in shaping the success of their teams. Here, we rank the top 10 college football coaches of 2025, based on their career achievements, current success, and potential for future dominance.

1. Kirby Smart, Georgia

• Record: 105-19 (all at Georgia)
• Points: 119 (11 of 12 first-place votes)
• Key Stat: Smart needs only five wins to move to second all-time in wins through the first 10 seasons of a coach's career.
• Comment: With back-to-back national titles and a program that shows no signs of slowing down, Kirby Smart is the undisputed leader in college football coaching.

2. Ryan Day, Ohio State

• Record: 70-10 (all at Ohio State)
• Points: 97
• Key Stat: Day's .875 winning percentage is third best all-time and the best in the AP poll era.
• Comment: Despite a mixed record against Michigan, Day's leadership has kept Ohio State at the pinnacle of college football.

3. Dabo Swinney, Clemson

• Record: 180-47 (all at Clemson)
• Points: 87
• Key Stat: Swinney's 12 career bowl wins are the most in ACC history.
• Comment: A consistent winner, Swinney's ability to maintain Clemson's success keeps him in the top tier of coaches.

4. Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame

• Record: 33-10 (all at Notre Dame)
• Points: 64
• Key Stat: Freeman led the Fighting Irish to a 14-2 record in 2024, the most wins in a season in program history.
• Comment: In just his third year, Freeman has returned Notre Dame to national prominence.

5. Steve Sarkisian, Texas

• Record: 84-52 (38-17 at Texas)
• Points: 62
• Key Stat: Texas finished the 2024 season 13-3, matching the school record for wins.
• Comment: Sarkisian's offensive mind and recruiting prowess have Texas poised for continued success in the SEC.

6. Dan Lanning, Oregon

• Record: 35-6 (all at Oregon)
• Points: 57
• Key Stat: Oregon has 35 wins since Lanning took over, the fourth-most in FBS.
• Comment: Lanning's ability to elevate Oregon's program makes him one of the most promising coaches in the game.

7. Kalen DeBoer, Alabama

• Record: 46-13 (9-4 at Alabama)
• Points: 33
• Key Stat: DeBoer is 15-3 against top-25 teams in the past five seasons.
• Comment: Despite a challenging first year at Alabama, DeBoer's track record suggests long-term success.

8. James Franklin, Penn State

• Record: 125-57 (101-42 at Penn State)
• Points: 26
• Key Stat: Franklin secured a top-25 recruiting class each of his past 12 seasons.
• Comment: Franklin's consistent program-building keeps Penn State in the national conversation.

9. Kyle Whittingham, Utah

• Record: 167-86 (all at Utah)
• Points: 24
• Key Stat: Whittingham is tied as the second-longest tenured head coach at the same school in FBS.
• Comment: Whittingham's ability to sustain success at Utah is a testament to his coaching acumen.

10. Matt Campbell, Iowa State

• Record: 99-66 (64-52 at Iowa State)
• Points: 15
• Key Stat: Campbell led Iowa State to an 11-3 record in 2024, the first double-digit win season in program history.
• Comment: Campbell's ability to maximize talent at Iowa State makes him one of the most respected coaches in the game.

Surprises and Honorable Mentions

Several coaches narrowly missed the top 10, including Brian Kelly (LSU), Bill Belichick (North Carolina), and Lane Kiffin (Ole Miss). Each has made significant impacts on their programs and remains a force in college football.

Conclusion

The 2025 college football season promises to be another thrilling chapter in the sport's history. These top 10 coaches, along with several other notable leaders, will continue to shape the future of college football with their strategies, leadership, and ability to inspire their teams to greatness.