Athlon Sports ranks Top 10 coaches that could win their first national championship in 2025

Athlon Sports ranked the top 10 coaches to win their first national championship during the 2025 college football season. Of course, only one can win it and heck, maybe none of them do so!

What if coaches like Ryan Day or Kirby Smart win another title? Then we’re back to this same list, most likely, in 2026!

Without further ado, we’ll count down the top 10 coaches poised to win their first national championship and mention some other outside chances. We start in the Big Ten.

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10. Sherrone Moore, Michigan

Moore has the tools to really succeed at Michigan, but the Wolverines just came off a dominant run of three Big Ten titles and eventually a national championship. He’s seen how to do it, sign stealing saga aside.

Bryce Underwood will be the key considering Michigan’s offense really held them back last season, at least passing wise. But in the year of 2025, Moore and the Wolverines could be better than his debut head coaching season, but still a bit off from title contention.

9. Josh Heupel, Tennessee

Heupel led the Vols to the College Football Playoff just last season for the first time under his watch. But after the Nico Iamaleava transfer drama, and switching to Joey Aguilar, Heupel’s team is in a curious spot.

Tennessee has talent to win a national championship, but the SEC is loaded again and there are other coaches on this list ranked ahead of Heupel, per Athlon. The Vols won’t be one of the favorites to win it all.

8. Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss

Kiffin had Jaxson Dart but couldn’t make the College Football Playoff. Now they’ll turn to lefty Austin Simmons, who has a lot of potential.

But is Ole Miss good enough this season to win a national championship? The Rebels have a few transfer wide receivers and defensive backs, so it’ll be interesting to see how the team gels by the time we get to the fall.

7. Mario Cristobal, Miami

Cristobal and Miami missed an opportunity to win the ACC and get to the CFP last season, thus not having an opportunity to win a national championship. Carson Beck has transferred in and will take over as QB.

Is that enough? CJ Daniels will be a key WR for Beck and then Cristobal’s defense has to come together. It looks like an entirely new secondary for Miami, but the ACC is winnable to set them up for a shot.

6. Kalen DeBoer, Alabama

DeBoer had some positives during Year 1 but the expectations are so high at Alabama, that 9-3 was unacceptable. So, can the Crimson Tide improve? That’s up to the winner of the QB battle.

If DeBoer’s offense clicks with (insert QB name) and star wide receiver Ryan Williams, a big portion of the battle is already won! In the preseason, Alabama is considered an SEC title contender, thus giving them national championship buzz once again

5. Brian Kelly, LSU

Kelly might finally be set up to get it rolling towards a national championship. The Tigers have won a title with Nick Saban, Les Miles and Ed Orgeron. So naturally, Kelly is next!

Garrett Nussmeier is back at QB and might win the Heisman. If linebacker Harold Perkins turns back the clock to earlier in his college career, the defense might have a superstar in the middle once again.

4. Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame

Freeman led the Fighting Irish to the national championship last season but fell short to Ohio State. Can they run it back? CJ Carr could aid the cause at quarterback.

Jeremiyah Love returns at running back and could be in Heisman contention as well. Jordan Faison should help at WR too. On the defense side of things, there are a lot of seniors, so this will be one of the more experienced groups in the country.

3. Dan Lanning, Oregon

Lanning has steadily improved each season on the job, leading Oregon to a 13-0 record and Big Ten title last year. But, the Ducks fell woefully short of the national championship last season.

No matter, 2025 is a new year! Dante Moore is at QB but they won’t have WR Evan Stewart due to injury. Some new linemen are expected to beef up the protection and the Ducks should have a near-elite defense. That’ll help in the Big Ten!

2. James Franklin, Penn State

Franklin and Penn State are ready to run it back from last season. The Nittany Lions fell short of a national championship by falling to Notre Dame in the CFP semifinals.

But, QB Drew Allar is back and RBs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen also returned. Dani Dennis-Sutton is an elite EDGE rusher and the rest of the Penn State defense is really experienced. This could finally be the year.

1. Steve Sarksian, Texas

Of course, Sarkisian is No. 1 on Athlon’s list for coaches to win their first national championship. Arch Manning at QB is the biggest reason why, at least for the hype train.

So anything less than winning it all will be a disappointment for a Texas team that has made the semifinals the last two years. Tre Wisner, Ryan Wingo are some of the other offensive stars that can make waves, as well defensive standouts Anthony Hill Jr., Trey Moore and Colin Simmons. 

The Next Tier/Long Shots

Shane Beamer, South Carolina
Bret Bielema, Illinois
Curt Cignetti, Indiana
Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State
Mike Elko, Texas A&M
Billy Napier, Florida
Matt Rhule, Nebraska
Lincoln Riley, USC