Kirk Herbstreit reveals his top performing coaches from Week 4
There was no shortage of fireworks during the Week 4 college football slate, and Kirk Herbstreit is giving out his weekly superlatives for the coaches he believes deserve it.
It’s no surprise who comes in at No. 1, but he listed nine coaches across nine programs in this week’s rankings. Here’s who he chose:
1. Ryan Day and Jim Knowles, Ohio State
There wasn’t a gutsier performance out of a pair of coaches in college football last weekend than Ohio State head coach Ryan Day and offensive coordinator Jim Knowles. The final game-winning drive to take down a top-ten-ranked team in Notre Dame on the road says all you need to know.
From the fourth-down conversion to the 3rd & 19 prayer, Ohio State proved why they’re one of the nation’s finest through four weeks.
2. Jake Dickert, Washington State
Washington State is 4-0 and in second place in the current Pac-12 rankings after knocking off DJ Uiagalelei and No. 14 Oregon State 38-35. The Cougars led by three touchdowns in the second half, and while they almost gave up the victory, their initial lead was high enough to fend off the Beavers.
3. Nick Saban and Kevin Steele, Alabama
Alabama can breathe a sigh of relief after defeating Ole Miss 24-10 after a couple of down weeks. A loss would have been devastating for Nick Saban, Kevin Steele and the rest of the Crimson Tide, but disaster was avoided and Alabama can move on as if the Texas loss never happened.
Unless they struggle this weekend on the road at Mississippi State, it’s safe to say Saban’s still got it.
4. Manny Diaz, Penn State
Penn State bullied the Iowa Hawkeyes on both sides of the ball this past weekend. They held the offense scoreless like it was 2022, and put up 31 unanswered points throughout the entirety of the game.
The Nittany Lions held the Hawkeyes to 76 total offensive yards on the afternoon. If the defense can keep up this type of intensity, Ohio State and Michigan might be in trouble as the Big Ten’s top dog.
5. David Braun, Northwestern
Northwestern has been through a lot as a program over the past several months, so Saturday’s 37-34 overtime victory over Minnesota was extra sweet. The Wildcats will take on Diaz and the Nittany Lions next week at home, which should prove to be an interesting matchup based on each team’s respective coaching performance.
6. Charles Huff, Marshall
The nation always takes notice when a group of five conference team like Marshall takes down a Power Five school like the ACC’s Virginia Tech. The Green Wave, who defeated Notre Dame last season, is off to a fast 3-0 start to the 2023 season.
During Week 6, they travel to NC State for a matchup against the Wolfpac with another upset on their minds.
7. Brent Key, Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech surprised some people with its 30-16 victory over Wake Forest on the road. Starting the conference slate 1-0 after a disappointing 1-2 start, Tech has a chance to keep this momentum going into this weekend against Bowling Green, and in turn, the following week vs. No. 18 Miami.