The Top 10 Active Coaches in College Football

This list will examine the top 10 active coaches in college football. Taken into consideration were a number of factors including career wins, conference championships, national championships, and recruiting success.

While some coaches such as Joe Paterno and Bobby Bowden are among the winningest coaches in college football, current states of their programs were taken into consideration.

1. Urban Meyer, University of Florida

Urban Meyer took over the University of Florida program in 2005. Since then, Meyer has won two of the last three national championships, compiling a 83-17 overall career record coaching record.

Meyer is a tireless recruiter and is considered a guru on the spread offense. With recruiting classes consistently ranked in the top-five, Meyer should remain high on this list for years to come.

2). Pete Carroll, University of Southern California

In December of 2000, Pete Carroll took over a once-proud USC football program. In short time, he led the program back to the top of college football.

Since taking over the USC program, Carroll has compiled an 88-15 coaching record and won two national championships. From 2003-2005, USC won a school-record of 34 straight games.

Considered a top recruiter, Carroll has brought in four top-five recruiting classes.

3. Nick Saban, University of Alabama

Nick Saban led LSU to the SEC title in 2001. It was the first outright title for LSU in 16 years. In 2003, Saban led LSU to the SEC title, and then to the national championship, defeating Oklahoma for the BCS crown.

In 2007, Saban took over as head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide after a brief stint in the NFL. In 2008, after just one full season on the job, Saban led the Crimson Tide to a 12-0 undefeated regular season, winning the SEC western division. It was UA's first western division title since 1999. Saban is considered a defensive guru employing a versatile 3-4 scheme.

Considered to be one of the best college recruiters in the nation, Saban compiled several top recruiting classes at LSU and has brought in back-to-back No. 1 ranked recruiting classes at the University of Alabama. Saban has compiled a 105-50-1 career coaching record.

4. Bob Stoops, University of Oklahoma

Bob Stoops took over the University of Oklahoma football program in 1999. Since that time, Stoops has compiled a 109-24 career head coaching record and led the Sooners to a national championship. Stoops's 109 wins is the best of any BCS school in that same stretch of time.

Stoops is a top recruiter bringing in consistent top-10 ranked classes. Considered a top defensive-minded coach, the OU defense is generally ranked high in season statistics.

5. Mack Brown, University of Texas

In 1998, Mack Brown took over as head coach of the Texas Longhorns. Since that time, Brown has compiled a 115-26 coaching record in Austin.

Brown has had 19 consecutive winning seasons and 17 consecutive bowl game appearances.

Brown led Texas to the 2005 national championship and recorded 21 consecutive Big 12 conference wins from 2004-2006.

6. Jim Tressel, Ohio State University

In 2001, Jim Tressel took over as head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Tressel has compiled a 83-18 career coaching record at OSU, won five Big Ten conference championships, and led the Buckeyes to the national championship in 2002.

For his overall career coaching record, Tressel has amassed a 218-76-2 record.

7. Joe Paterno, Penn State University

In 1966, Joe Paterno took over the football program at Penn State University. A historic career has ensued since that time.

Paterno has compiled a 383-127-3 career coaching record. He has led Penn State to three conference titles and two national championships.

At age 82, Paterno will coach his 60th season on the Penn State staff and will enter his 44th season as head coach.

Paterno has 37 winning seasons as a head coach, tying him with Paul "Bear" Bryant. Paterno currently holds the record as the winningest football coach in NCAA history.

8. Bobby Bowden, Florida State University

In 1976, Bobby Bowden took over as head coach of the Florida State Seminoles football program.

Bowden has led Florida State to two national championships and 12 ACC conference championships. He currently ranks second on the all-time winningest Division I football coaches list.

Bowden has compiled a career coaching record of 382-123-4.

9. Steve Spurrier, South Carolina Gamecocks

In 1990, Steve Spurrier took over as head football coach for the University of Florida. Prior to his arrival, Florida struggled to have success in the SEC. Spurrier was announced as the head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks in 2005.

In 12 seasons at Florida, Spurrier compiled an 87-14 coaching record. He led the Gators to five SEC conference titles and one national championship.

Spurrier has compiled a 170-62-2 career coaching record.

10. Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech University

Frank Beamer accepted the head coaching position at Virginia Tech in 1987. Since that time, Beamer has compiled a 176-89-2 coaching record.

Beamer has led the Hokies to three Big East conference titles and three ACC conference titles. In 1999, Beamer led Virginia Tech to the national title game against Florida State. Florida State won the game 46-29.

Beamer has won 10 games or more in seven of the past nine seasons. Beamer has compiled an overall career coaching record of 218-112-4.