NCAAF · 11 months ago

Ranking the 12 Head Coaches in the College Football Playoff

Grant White

Host · Writer

1. Dan Lanning
Finding ways to win is the hallmark of any great coach. Dan Lanning has made the necessary adjustments every step of the way. The Oregon Ducks stole victory from the clutches of defeat on several occasions this season, and Lanning will have his team ready to compete throughout the playoffs.

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12. James Franklin
If the Penn State Nittany Lions pull off the unthinkable and win this year's National Championship, it will be despite James Franklin's coaching. Franklin is consistently outmatched and has a terrible track record for decision-making.

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11. Dabo Swinney
The Clemson Tigers made it into the playoffs by the skin of their teeth. Part of their issues arise from Dabo Swinney's ineffective game-planning, which has dropped Clemson to just 6-6 against the spread this season.
10. Rhett Lashlee
We want to give Rhett Lashlee credit for getting the SMU Mustangs into the playoffs, but he doesn't deserve it. The truth is, SMU should have been left out of the 12-team field. If the Mustangs were playing any other team, it would be certain doom. However, we're not convinced James Franklin won't mess this up.
9. Ryan Day
Ryan Day almost lost his job after a crushing defeat to the Michigan Wolverines in Week 14. However, he's still behind the helm, leading his Ohio State Buckeyes into action in the first round. If Day doesn't shake his reputation for getting out-coached, he will likely be combing the wanted ads by the end of this weekend.
8. Kenny Dillingham
This season, the Big 12 was a disaster, but Kenny Dillingham has effectively managed those ebbs and flows with his Arizona Sun Devils. He's extracted maximum value on the defensive side of the ball, but without a built-in cheat code on offense, Cam Skattebo, ASU might not be in the College Football Playoff.
7. Josh Heupel
The Tennessee Volunteers are making their first playoff appearance in school history. Josh Heupel had his team ready to compete week in and week out, but we'll see what the Vols are made of as they face the most daunting path to the National Championship.

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6. Steve Sarkisian
Thanks to Steve Sarkisian's coaching, the Texas Longhorns successfully navigated their first season in the SEC. He's transformed the Longhorns into perennial contenders and can prove his worth starting on Saturday.
5. Kirby Smart
This season, it hasn't always come easy for Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs. Some inferior opponents have outmatched the SEC Champs, and that's on Smart for his inadequate scheming. Still, he's pulled off some stunning comebacks and had his team ready when it matters most.
4. Marcus Freeman
It's easy to fault Marcus Freeman for Notre Dame's early-season loss to the Northern Illinois Huskies. However, he responded by leading the Fighting Irish to one of the most dominant finishes in recent memory. Thanks to Freeman, Notre Dame will continue to operate at peak efficiency.
3. Spencer Danielson
In his first entire season as head coach, Spencer Danielson led the Boise State Broncos to a 12-1 record and came perilously close to staying perfect. Danielson has had his team ready every step of the way, which should result in some level of playoff success.
2. Curt Cignetti
Arguably, no team has looked better on both sides of the football than the Indiana Hoosiers. They made the most surprising run to the postseason, thanks to Curt Cignetti's coaching. After a postseason tirade for not earning a home game, it's time for Cignetti to prove the Hoosiers were the rightful higher seed.
1. Dan Lanning
Finding ways to win is the hallmark of any great coach. Dan Lanning has made the necessary adjustments every step of the way. The Oregon Ducks stole victory from the clutches of defeat on several occasions this season, and Lanning will have his team ready to compete throughout the playoffs.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
12. James Franklin
If the Penn State Nittany Lions pull off the unthinkable and win this year's National Championship, it will be despite James Franklin's coaching. Franklin is consistently outmatched and has a terrible track record for decision-making.

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Ranking the 12 Head Coaches in the College Football Playoff

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