Top Ten Coach of the Year Nominations

It's the Academy Awards of college football without the frilly dresses, eye-popping jewelry, Jimmy Choo shoes and politically-slanted speeches. It's a statement, without BS. It's the Black AMEX card, baby.

There are so many coaches who deserve to be nominated Coach of the Year, but these 10 coaches deserve a nomination because of their unique contributions to college football. U-N-I-Q-U-E.

They have made us pause and reflect on the importance of the "student" coming before "athlete" in the NCAA. They have reminded us to overcome tremendous obstacles, disappointments, and tragedy.

To over-achieve in a world of over-achievers. To coach up those who may not be a five-star blue chipper. To make sure the blue-chipper doesn't live down expectations.

These 10 coaches epitomize the word, "head coach:" mentor, leader, teacher, problem-solver and yes, father figure.

They are the best of the 2009 season.

10. Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern

Fitz is a big-time coach in a private Big Ten school. Like Jim Harbaugh of Stanford, he's had plenty of recruiting challenges when trying to land a kid from the Midwest who's leaning towards Michigan or Ohio State.

In his first year (2006), Fitzgerald went 4-8. The following year, he went 6-6. In the last two years, however, the Wildcats have posted a 9-4 and 8-4 record.

Once the doormat of the Big Ten, the Northwestern Wildcats have now been bowl-bound two consecutive years, with this year's bowl being a prestigious Outback Bowl berth against Auburn.

9. Kevin Sumlin, Houston

C-USA has been an eye-opening conference thanks to Kevin Sumlin. Only in his second year at Houston, Sumlin has his Cougars on a roll with one of the best quarterbacks in the nation, Case Keenum.

Sumlin was perhaps best known as the Sooners' OC under head coach Bob Stoops. In Sumlin's final year at Oklahoma, the Sooners' offense averaged 44 points a game.

In his first year at Houston, the Cougs finished 8-5, tied for third in the C-USA. This year, the Cougs finished first (10-2), and Sumlin's name has already been mentioned in the rumor mill for some college head coach vacancies.

For a coach who has had only two years experience as a head coach in FBS, Sumlin is one of its brightest stars.

8. Chris Petersen, Boise State

Chris Petersen has put Boise State in a permanent state of euphoria. Besides the fact that no one had ever heard of Boise State east of the Mississippi River, Petersen's Broncos upset the heavily favored Oklahoma Sooners in the unforgettable 2007 Fiesta Bowl.

Petersen's 48-4 record is no fluke—his prolific offense (and yes, it does feature a rushing attack) behind quarterback Kellen Moore gives opposing teams headaches.

It's only a matter of time before Petersen heads for greener pastures like his predecessor, Dan Hawkins—but in the meantime—Petersen's undefeated season proves he isn't a one-and-done coach.

7. Jim Harbaugh, Stanford

He may be coaching on the Farm, but everyone following the Pac-10 knows who Jim Harbaugh is. He's the guy who landed your five-star recruit when you thought you had him.

He's the guy who has upset USC two out of three years. He's the guy who has brought back power running to the formerly pass-happy Pac-10.

Yeah, that guy. The controversial head coach who isn't impressed by dynasties.

While he's only been at Stanford for three years, he's already been in the rumor mill for head coaching vacancies at Notre Dame and Kansas.

Everybody wants Harbaugh, and it's only a formality before Harbaugh either coaches at his alma mater, Michigan, or in the NFL. He's special.

6. Mack Brown, Texas

The quintessential gentleman and class act of the Big 12 is finally playing for the crystal trophy again after a brief spell.

The last time Mack and his burnt orange heart attacks played for the BCS Championship, he was the underdog against USC in the 2006 Rose Bowl.

The Longhorns hooked the Trojans in perhaps the greatest National Championship game in BCS history, winning 41-38.

Four years later, the Longhorns are facing the prohibitive favorite Alabama Crimson Tide. Can he do it again? Don't count Brown out. He's a quiet one. But it's the quiet ones who usually have the most stories to tell.

Still waters run deep.

5. Randy Edsall, UConn

UConn isn't the biggest name in the Big East. Nor does it have the best record. In fact, UConn is a basketball school. But don't tell that to Randy Edsall.

While other schools are cheating and bending the rules, Edsall has Storrs, Conn., on a mission- to represent the very best in college football. So far, he has our ear.

When Husky Jasper Howard was murdered, no one knew how to mourn. Or grieve. It was Edsall, in a Giuliani-esque type speech, who consoled us. And reminded us that all is not lost.

Edsall reminded us that it's not just a head coach's job to win. Sometimes, keeping a group together in time of despair and appreciate all that is before us is more important. That human life is the single most important part of football.

Not the scoreboard.

4. Brian Kelly, Cincinnati

Brian Kelly's name has popped up more times on a Google search than, well....who? The third-year coach at Cincy wasn't expected to do well this year after a great 2008 season and Orange Bowl berth. Hey, when you return only one defensive starter, things don't look very promising.

So after Phil Steele picked the Bearcats to finish No. 5 in the Big East and said they "will come nowhere near last year's 11-win total," what did Kelly do?

He went 12-0, won the Big East, is playing Florida in the Sugar Bowl and could be the next coach at Notre Dame.

Not bad.

3. Nick Saban, Alabama

Really, when you make Tim Tebow cry, you're either the most evil man in the world or....one of the best coaches in the world. We'll go with the latter.

We knew eventually the most powerful man in college football would get it right, and this year he did.

Saban chomped the Gators in the SEC Championship and while they still have one more roadblock remaining on Jan. 7 in Pasadena, a smart bettor will take the Crimson Tide to win their 75th national title. Or something like that. Ask a Tide fan.

They'll set you straight with how many titles they have won. And whatever their answer is, add one more to that total.

Saban is destined.

2. Chip Kelly, Oregon

The Ducks lose two huge defensive backs to the NFL, their head coach retires to become an AD and LeGarrette Blount sucker-punches a Boise State player. Not a promising 2009, eh football fan?

The sky was falling after the very first game for Chip Kelly, but now he and his Ducks are headed for the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1. The whacky Quack Attack is BCS-bowling after taking the USC dynasty out in a thorough beatdown.

Kelly may have had a rough first week, but for the most part, he got this team back on track and is now showcasing a fun offense to watch. Unless you're a Buckeyes fan, of course.

1. Gary Patterson, TCU

It's time to give some love to the Horned Frogs. Just don't kiss 'em.

This is the year the MWC's Horned Frogs backed up that swagger from last year's Utah Utes. Yeah, the purple attack is for real, haters sit down.

Patterson is a defensive genius, and this year's Horned Frogs are the most balanced team in the country, with both his offense (No. 4) and defense (No. 1) statistically ranked in the top five in the country.

When you are this good and 95 percent of the country can't name your quarterback, you are doing something right.

TCU has rewarded Patterson with a nice hefty contract that presumably, will keep the elite schools from snatching him up.

Perhaps it's Patterson's complete humility about the coaching carousel that gets him the No. 1 spot this year.

“This was my first head coaching job, but it also, now going into 12 years, it’s my home.”

Drink that purple Kool-Aid, football nation. It's sweet.