College Football Coaches Who Are Social Media Geniuses

Who says coaches are one-dimensional? 

Social media has allowed direct access between fans/media and coaches, and the interaction can be amazing sometimes. Mediums like Twitter allow coaches to show that they have a sense of humor or other passions. It can be a cool glimpse into their lives beyond football. 

In the following list are coaches (and hopefully not athletic department interns) who have crushed it on social media. Whether they use it for recruiting or for more personal reasons, these coaches have figured out how to be more accessible to their followers. 

Jim Harbaugh

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh might be the best thing to ever happen to college football social media. 

From ranking his favorite football nicknames to congratulating Judge Judy on a contract extension, Harbaugh is never boring on Twitter. The element of unpredictability that Harbaugh brings is perfect. Tweets are meant to be read and digested quickly. Harbaugh will drop a tweet, almost like a microphone, and walk off.

He hasn't even coached a game for the Wolverines yet and he's already winning. Regardless of his reputation as a micromanaging head coach, he's a fascinating guy away from the field. 

James Franklin

Bradley Leeb/Associated Press

Penn State coach James Franklin is a relentless recruiter and excellent at having a strong Twitter presence relating to all things Penn State. But that's not all he uses it for. 

Franklin is also pretty sharp at keeping on top of his players. In January, sophomore safety Bryant Harper tweeted that he received a B on an anatomy exam even though he didn't study. That didn't sit well with Franklin. 

"You didn't study huh, interesting," Franklin responded to Harper, "guess I need to up your study hall hours! We don't settle for B's!" 

Well played, coach. Well played. 

Dana Holgorsen

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen can be a great quote when he wants to be, or when he's just being himself. The same thing applies to his Twitter account.

Though Holgorsen's Twitter account is mostly low-key, he'll throw you a curveball every once in a while. Upon learning he'd be facing off against his old assistant, Jake Spavital, in the Liberty Bowl against Texas A&M, Holgorsen had one response:

Come at me, bro. For real. 

Also, #weather. And Merry Christmas. 

Barry Switzer

Sue Ogrocki/Associated Press

Who says you have to be an active coach to be awesome on social media?

Former Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer is one of the most entertaining guys on Twitter. He provides solid commentary on all things Sooner related, but he has been known to tweet random, amazing things like horseback riding in the Ukraine (and potentially being mistaken for Tom Osborne). 

That, and apparently trading in a Mercedes for a Kia. 

Switzer has always been a unique, outspoken coach. It's translated to Twitter nicely. 

Bo Pelini

Nati Harnik/Associated Press

Former Nebraska coach Bo Pelini hasn't tweeted in several months. When he was active, Pelini was mostly stale. 

Then, a little over a year ago, he became self-aware. 

Faux Pelini is one of the few fake Twitter accounts that's actually funny and worth following. When Pelini tweeted the fake Internet version of himself, it was like watching a man walk straight through a mirror into his own reflection. 

Pelini had other moments, like wondering aloud whether he'd be fined for questioning an official in a sport he didn't even coach, in what would be known as the "Year of Pelini." However, he was fired after the end of last season. He has since taken the head coaching job at Youngstown State. 

Les Miles

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

LSU coach Les Miles is undoubtedly one of the most entertaining coaches in college football. Whatever comes out of his mouth is usually gold. 

His take on social media in 2013 was amazing, too (via Fox Sports South): 

"

Here is what's happening. Somebody gave me the magic. They said there's 500 million on Instagram, whatever the hell that is. There's three billion on Facebook. These are phenomena that are not just youthful. LeBron James, athletes, entertainers, businessmen of our day. I mean, it's an amazing thing.

"

...what?

Anyway, Miles' unique personality has translated well to Twitter. Whether it's performing the ALS ice bucket challenge or openly rooting for his alma mater, Michigan, Miles has a solid presence. Now, if he can just get South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier to pick up his Twitter game.