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Deep Dive: Best Coaching Jobs in College Football Tier List

On3 imageby:Ian Boyd•04/10/25•

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Georgia Kirby Smart and Texas Steve Sarkisian on Nick Saban texting
© Brett Patzke & Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Paul Wadlington and Ian Boyd rank the best programs to join if you want to win a national title as a head coach.

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The video explores a hypothetical scenario: if every college football coaching job were made available today, where would top coaches ideally want to go? The discussion strips away personal attachments and considers pure program potential.

Schools are ranked in three tiers based on coaching attractiveness. Tier Three includes “bubble” teams like Florida State and Texas A&M—programs with potential but significant limitations due to culture, geography, or conference affiliations.

The analysis emphasizes that a school’s historical success doesn’t always equate to current potential. For example, traditional powerhouses like Nebraska and Syracuse are mentioned as having limited modern appeal.

The hosts highlight how Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) deals and conference realignments are reshaping coaching desirability. For example, Florida State’s future is complicated by ACC’s instability.

Schools like Texas A&M are described as “culturally incapable” of winning due to internal dysfunction, despite excellent resources. Comparisons like “Barney Fife with one bullet” illustrate perceived self-sabotage.

Coaches prefer proximity to rich recruiting areas. Schools like Florida State and Tennessee are geographically advantageous but face fierce competition from SEC programs.

Tier two includes Penn State, LSU, Clemson, and USC. These programs offer strong support and potential. For example, Penn State is noted for having a high floor due to passionate alumni and solid local recruiting, while LSU’s capacity is tied to NIL spending.

Ohio State, Texas, Georgia, Alabama, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oregon, and Florida make up Tier One. These are deemed best positioned to win now and in the next decade. Their inclusion reflects institutional commitment, recruiting reach, and NIL capabilities.

North Carolina is discussed as a potential future tier riser due to demographic and economic growth, although hindered by a basketball-first culture and conference limitations.

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