Kirk Herbstreit reveals his top performing coaches from Week 7
Week 7 of the 2023 college football season featured some great performances from stars throughout the country. But there were also a lot of coaches who had great days that helped their team pulled out victories.
ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit posted his top performing coaches from this past week Monday on X, formerly known as Twitter. Three different Pac-12 coaches made the cut, including one second-year head coach taking the top spot on his list.
Here are Herbstreit’s top coaches from Week 7.
1. Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer
Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer has won three NAIA championships in his coaching career. But outside of those wins, Saturday’s Week 7 victory over Oregon likely stands up well against the best wins of his coaching career.
DeBoer and the Huskies outlasted the Ducks in one of the best games of the season in Seattle with a 36-33 victory. The win puts Washington in the driver’s seat for a potential run to the Pac-12 title and College Football Playoff.
2. Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden
USC quarterback and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams had the worst game of his Trojans career Saturday night in South Bend, Ind. Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden deserves plenty of credit for that.
Williams finished with just 199 passing yards and a career-high three interceptions in the 48-20 victory for the Fighting Irish. Those three interceptions led to three touchdowns for the Notre Dame offense.
3. Duke defensive coordinator Tyler Santucci
Duke was going to need its defense to step up in with star quarterback Riley Leonard out injured versus NC State. The group and defensive coordinator Tyler Santucci did just that.
The Wolfpack only scored a field goal as the Blue Devils won 24-3. Duke is now 5-1 on the season with two ranked matchups next on its schedule.
4. Arizona head coach Jedd Fisch
While Washington State had entered its game versus Arizona this week coming off a loss, the Cougars still had plenty of momentum as one of the nation’s more dynamic offense. That didn’t matter to the Wildcats and head coach Jedd Fisch.
In one of the biggest statement blowouts of the year, Arizona scored 44 straight points after falling down 6-0 to win in 44-6 in Pullam, Wash. The Wildcats are now 4-3 on the year, and with two more wins could become bowl eligible for the first time since 2017.
Top 10
- 1
Diego Pavia sues NCAA
Vanderbilt QB files suit over NIL
- 2
Auburn flight issue
Basketball team in-fighting causes flight to U-turn
- 3
Todd Golden
UF HC accused of stalking, sexual harassment
- 4New
DJ Lagway
Florida QB a game-time decision vs. Texas
- 5
Will Johnson
Michigan star out vs. Indiana
5. Stanford head coach Troy Taylor
Stanford head coach Troy Taylor led his team back from 29 points in Week 7 down to Colorado on Friday night in one of the best comeback victories of the season to win 46-43 in overtime. It was a statement victory for Taylor, who is in his first season leading the Cardinal.
The team entered the game with only one win on the season, and coming off a 42-6 loss to Oregon two weekends ago. But now Taylor has a victory that can motivate his team the rest of the year and illustrate what they can become.
6. Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi
Louisville entered this past weekend with as much momentum as any team in the country after beating Notre Dame. But then Pitt hit the Cardinals right in the mouth.
Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi led Pitt to a 38-21 Week 7 victory, the first loss for Louisville all season. The Panthers are now 2-4 on the year.
7. Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker
The Iowa offense managed only 237 yards of offense Saturday, including just 34 passing yards, and won 15-6 over Wisconsin. The defense and defensive coordinator Phil Parker earned plenty of praise for their performance.
The Badgers were a remarkable 2 of 17 on third down attempts while failing to reach the end zone. The Hawkeyes defense got on the scoreboard themselves with a safety.