College Football: Lane Kiffin and the 8 Cockiest Coaches in America

With the likes of Urban Meyer, Jim Tressel, Rich Rodriguez, Mike Leach and others no longer leading college football programs in 2011, the search for the cockiest coaches in the land becomes a bit more difficult.

What we are looking for here are those men roaming the sidelines that not only have that big ego, but will make a point to let you know about it at every opportunity.

In some cases, being cocky isn't a bad thing. Quite the contrary actually. Some of these men on this list have earned that right with years of outstanding work. Others, as you will see, haven't accomplished nearly as much, if anything at all. Yet the men that fall into this second category of cockiness will make sure all eyes and ears are on them at every opportunity.

Despite the loss of some of the games most brash personalities, there is still a wealth of worthy candidates to crack this prestigious list

8. Mike Stoops, Arizona

Mike Stoops cracks the list thanks to a sideline demeanor that draws attention to one person—himself. Despite not having the resume of his brother Bob, apparently Stoops is convinced people watch the game to see what he's up to.

Stoops definitely wouldn't be considered a player's coach. Long known for his temper tantrums on the sidelines and constant in your face yelling at his players, Stoops still has a long way to go before the game becomes entirely about him.

To his credit, Stoops has turned the Wildcats around, posting over .500 season's in each of his past three. Still with a career record under .500 though, Stoops has a long way to go before his antics aren't attention grabbing.

7. Bo Pelini, Nebraska

Similar to Stoops, Pelini has an in your face sideline style that can be perceived as attention grabbing. His rants against Texas A&M were probably a little uncalled for and his constant criticism of quarterback Taylor Martinez in the media probably didn't go a long way to him making friends.

However Pelini is a very good football coach. While some perceive him as cocky and perhaps arrogant, others see him as one of the hottest young head coaches in the game today.

6. Les Miles, LSU

The "Mad Hatter" has accomplished a lot during his time at LSU. He's won a National Championship. His teams always contend in the SEC and are almost always in contention for a BCS game.

With that being said, Miles loves to talk (and eat grass for that matter). He's never met a microphone he hasn't liked and is a great quote.

Miles may see cocky to most, with that smug look on his face all the time, but he's one of those guys I mentioned that has earned the right.

How his job always seems somewhat in jeopardy at LSU is beyond me.

5. Bobby Petrino, Arkansas

Petrino cracks the list mostly due to his past. Petrino has the reputation of a guy that sees himself bigger than any job. That's due to his very short stint as Atlanta Falcons head coach.

While he's still criticized for the way he left Atlanta, let's face it, he's not the only coach to ever quit a job midseason.

Two things are for sure. Petrino has a bit of swagger to him and he can flat out coach. His teams show that on the field.

4. Nick Saban, Alabama

There's not a whole lot to say about Saban. He just looks cocky. He always has that sly smile that says "I'm better than you."

He's right.

Saban can be cocky as he's the gold standard of current college coaches. Like it or not, he's the best current coach in the game. He may not come out directly and let you know that, but he probably wants to.

His teams back up his persona though and until someone knocks his Crimson Tide off the pedestal permanently, he can afford to have that swagger.

3. Mark Richt, Georgia

Richt may have once been considered one of the best coaches in the game and could still be considered that, but his cockiness outweighs his accomplishments as of late.

He had a window a few years ago to possibly capture that elusive title, but didn't get the job done.

Any coach that encourages his teams to partake in team wide end zone celebrations is pushing the envelope a little too far.

Maybe if Richt had his Bulldogs more ready for big games instead of worrying about how they can show up the opposing team, Georgia could once again rise above the ranks of mediocrity.

2. Steve Spurrier, South Carolina

You simply can't have a list of cocky football coaches without putting "The Old Ball Coach," at or near the top.

Spurrier put the cocky in cockiness and no matter where he's been on the coaching carousel, he has always remained front and center in the middle of the spotlight.

While he has toned things down a little over the past couple season's, it's hard to not have him near the top of this list.

Honorable Mentions

Several other current coaches just missed out on cracking the list, including:

Mack Brown

Chip Kelly

Joe Paterno

Gene Chizik

Bob Stoops

Butch Davis

Bret Bielema

Mike Gundy

Brian Kelly

Greg Schiano

and

Rick Neuheisel

1. Lane Kiffin, USC

This one is a no-brainer as Kiffin tops the list. Unlike men like Saban and Miles that may have earned the right to be a little cocky, Kiffin certainly doesn't fit into that category.

If there was a poster boy for coaches that have accomplished so very little in their career, yet have been given so much, Kiffin would be the guy.

He's another who loves the spotlight. His act may be comical at times, but his lack of big time wins has worn that act thin.

Perhaps one day if his Trojans climb back to the top of the mountain, the majority of the country will cut Kiffin some slack, but even in that case he will likely make sure that he is the center of attention.