College Football: Today's Top Five Coaches

Urban Meyer has quickly made a mark on the landscape of college football as the head man of the Florida Gators.  Meyer is 31-8 as Florida’s “Ol’ Ball Coach,” including a dominating 17-1 record at home in “The Swamp.”

In January 2007, Meyer led the Gators to a shocking 41-14 upset of heavily favored No. 1 Ohio State in the 2006 BCS Championship Game, Florida’s second national football title.  Although Florida failed to defend their title the following season, Meyer coached 2007 Heisman Trophy winner QB Tim Tebow, and Florida finished third in the NCAA in scoring offense, averaging 42.5 points per game.

With the addition of USC transfer Emmanuel Moody at the running back position, the 2008 Gators’ offense seems even more potent than the 2007 version and is loaded for a run at a second BCS title in three seasons.

Previous Success: Urban Meyer coached 2004 Heisman finalist QB Alex Smith and the Utah Utes to a victory over the Pittsburgh Panthers in the 2005 Fiesta Bowl.  Utah was the first team from a non-BCS conference to appear in, and win, a BCS bowl game since the creation of the Bowl Championship Series in 1998.  The 12-0 Utes finished the 2004 season ranked No. 4 in the AP poll.

2. Bob Stoops, Oklahoma - BCS Championships: 1 (2000)

I think Bob Stoops is underrated.  He doesn’t get enough credit for his track record.  Granted, Stoops has been anything but good in BCS games recently, but here's the thing—Stoops has led Oklahoma to four BCS games in the past five seasons.  That's incredible, regardless of whether you win them or not!

Many coaches haven't even reached four BCS bowl games in their entire career, let alone in a five-year stretch.

In addition, Oklahoma has the most wins (97) of any BCS school over the last ten years, which also happens to be Stoops' entire tenure at Oklahoma.  Whether or not he can win the BCS games, he does get his team there consistently.

Besides, Oklahoma is overdue for a BCS bowl game victory.  They haven’t won a BCS game since a 34-14 drubbing of Washington State in the 2003 Rose Bowl.

With the talent Oklahoma fields this season, as well as Stoops' great coaching ability, look for Oklahoma to win whatever BCS bowl game they appear in—possibly the BCS Championship Game. 

Previous Success: As the defensive coordinator of the Florida Gators, Stoops helped drastically improve a team that surrendered 62 points to Nebraska in the 1996 Fiesta Bowl.  The Gators won their first football national title in 1996 with Stoops running the defense, defeating rival Florida State 52-20 in the Sugar Bowl.

1. Pete Carroll, USC – BCS Championships: 1 (2004)

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?