One Photo That Best Describes Each Top 50 College Football Coach

Though words can be utilized to paint descriptive images, photographs themselves sometimes do a better job of conveying illustrative meaning.

The following slideshow uses this expounding approach to portray each of the top 50 coaches in college football with just one selective photograph.

If a picture is indeed worth 1000 words then this presentation is worth at least 50,000—which equals quite a value to you, the reader.

Urban Meyer, Ohio State

Heralded as the one of the greatest hires in recent coaching history, Urban Meyer takes over at Ohio State where Jim Tressel suddenly left off.

Amid all the trumpeting and fanfare it remains to be seen if Meyer can equal or surpass Tressel's six Big Ten titles, eight BCS bids and one national championship—all achieved in the relatively short window of 10 years.

Yikes!

Chip Kelly, Oregon

Oregon's Chip Kelly is a likeable chap and undeniably knows how to put together a winning football team—but he's also a guy who is guarded and less likely to blab like other, more publicly-minded members of his profession.

Tommy Tuberville, Texas Tech

After going 13-12 over his first two seasons at Texas Tech, Tommy Tuberville is hopeful that winning en masse is just around the corner.

Indeed, Tubs must be optimistic that his squad will be healthy in 2012 and that the Red Raider Nation can hold on for a couple of more seasons while his excellent recruiting and game plan fully take root on the South Plains.

Jimbo Fisher, Florida State

In a profession that has it's fair share of grimacing members, Florida State's Jimbo Fisher always seems to have a smile handy.

Though sometimes it might be on the cheesy side, it's refreshing to see a wide grin at the end of a winning effort beaming from the 'Nole sideline.

Will Muschamp, Florida

Florida's Will Muschamp could evoke 1000 images, but for me it's all about a perfectly coiffed hairdo that takes sideline grooming to an entirely new level.

Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M

The road ahead may prove bumpy for Texas A&M's incoming head coach Kevin Sumlin.

The move to the SEC West, combined with a talented team that has played below expectations, could present a challenge to the up-and-coming leader. If nothing else, it should be interesting to watch the journey unfold.

Rich Rodriguez, Arizona

After a successful stint at West Virginia and then a wild ride at Michigan, Rich Rodriguez lands at Arizona hoping the third time is indeed the charm.

Chris Petersen, Boise State

After facilitating the move of Boise State from the WAC to the MWC in 2011, Chris Petersen will guide his Broncos to the shores of the Big East in 2013.

The journey has been all about the hunt for the elusive jewel of BCS AQ status, which may now be snatched away in the night if the Big East can't retain its once favored grade.

Bill Snyder, Kansas State

What Bill Snyder has managed to do not once, but twice at Kansas State is simply jaw-dropping.

Snyder took a team that had only won five-plus games twice in 20 years to 10 nine-plus win campaigns in his first stint as the Wildcats head coach. Now, in the third year of his second reformation, Kansas State is straight off yet another double-digit win affair.

We look at Bill Snyder in amazement and have to closely examine the details of his exploits to understand how what he's done is even possible.

Les Miles, LSU

Les Miles is one of the more dramatic characters in the current cast of college football.

Featuring memorable facial expressions, intriguing play calls and signature moves that include munching on grass, Miles is almost as theatrical as he is successful.

Bo Pelini, Nebraska

It's hard to imagine a football coach more amped up and intense than Nebraska's vein-popping leader, Bo Pelini.

If Pelini can ever turn all that ranting and raving into championships he'll be remembered as one of the great ones and counted among the legendary screaming coaches of the past.

Mark Richt, Georgia

After 11 seasons as the head man at Georgia, Mark Richt enters the 2012 campaign staring down a major fork in his coaching road.

Even though Richt is a pleasing 106-37 overall, in Athens his name has been hot seated regularly since 2009, and with booming high expectations coming into this year he'll need to score big to stay cool.

Being predicted, at minimum, to win the SEC East paints a target on your back that grows ever larger the longer people have been yakking about replacing you.

Brian Kelly, Notre Dame

With only 14 takeaways vs. 29 giveaways, the 2011 Irish ranked No. 118 (out of 120) nationally in turnover margin last season.

To break it down further, Notre Dame suffered 12 fumbles and 17 interceptions in 2011, which goes a long way in explaining how a preseason Top 10 team wound up with an 8-5 record.

Brian Kelly better get the Velcro out in 2012 in hopes that the Irish can hold on to the ball—and that he can keep a firm grip on his dream job in South Bend.

Charlie Strong, Louisville

Ever wondered what the future will look like?

Well, from a college football coaching perspective the future may look just like Charlie Strong, who enters his third season as a head coach in 2012.

Strong is 14-12 over two years at Louisville and don't be surprised when this guy is the next hot commodity on the coaching carousel.

Gary Pinkel, Missouri

After leading his Missouri squad through 11 seasons in the Big 12, Gary Pinkel has loaded up his U-Haul truck for a move to the SEC East in 2012.

Though there is more talk about Texas A&M's move to the SEC West, the Tigers transformation may be a better fit from a competitive standpoint.

Sonny Dykes, Louisiana Tech

With Fresno State, Hawaii and Nevada fleeing the WAC for the MWC in 2012, the only teams remaining in the Western Athletic Conference are Idaho, New Mexico State, San Jose State, Texas State, Utah State, Texas-San Antonio and yes, Louisiana Tech.

This shake down puts third year Bulldog coach Sonny Dykes in an enviable position in Ruston as he should field the league front-runner until the next round of conference realignment moves.

Yes, Dykes the Younger is in the proverbial "cat's bird seat."

Mark Dantonio, Michigan State

Mark Dantonio's tenure at Michigan State can pictorially be summed up with the Spartans fake field goal OT triumph over Notre Dame in 2010.

Dantonio isn't afraid to take a risk to win and he continues to field high caliber teams that go under the national media radar.

He's one of the best coaches in college football who frankly doesn't get the accolades he's earned.

Lane Kiffin, USC

After going 5-15 over two partial seasons at the Oakland Raiders, a singular 7-6 record at Tennessee and then an impressive 18-7 start at USC, Lane Kiffin is highly regarded but in reality, unproven.

The only title Kiffin has on his resume is the postseason-ban tarnished Pac-12 South crown in 2011 that was earned, but not tested, at the next level.

In 2012 we may find out how effective Kiffin really is as a college football coach, as he leads his stacked Trojans into a season with no prohibitions other than those that could be self-imposed.

Gary Patterson, TCU

After winning conference crowns in vain in the WAC, C-USA and MWC, Gary Patterson has finally arrived (in style) in a league that has a bona fide BCS AQ bid which means that perfection finally equals a shot at the crystal football.

Patterson has led his Frogs to eight double-digit win performances in 11 years, and 2012 will be the first campaign with no limitations on what they can achieve together.

Dabo Swinney, Clemson

Though many prognosticators had Dabo Swinney virtually finished at Clemson coming into the 2011 season, the Tigers 10-4 finish and ACC title transformed the perception that he was on his way out.

Clemson may not repeat as ACC champs in 2012, but with recruiting successes and something to build on, Swinney is leading a football revival that may find glory just a few exits down the road.

Steve Spurrier, South Carolina

The word "legend" in the sports world is thrown around with the reckless abandon of a Houston Cougars QB, but in the case of Steve Spurrier the term is genuinely appropriate.

Spurrier will go down in history as one of the great college football coaches of all time and if that isn't enough, his Heisman shenanigans as a QB at Florida have already been memorialized in bronze.

Frankly, friends, that's difficult to top.

Todd Graham, Arizona State

After spending one season at Rice, four years at Tulsa and then enjoying a quickie at Pitt in 2011, Todd Graham's wanderlust has led him to Arizona State for the 2012 season.

"Climb ev'ry mountain
Ford ev'ry stream
Follow ev'ry rainbow
'Till you find your dream"

Mike Riley, Oregon State

Oregon State's 5-7 finish in 2010 and 3-9 product in 2011 have Mike Riley's overall record as the Beavers' head man down to 72-63.

With no conference titles to tout and a two year bowl drought (though he's 5-1 in postseason play), Riley is "hanging in there" in terms of his job status at Oregon State.

Bronco Mendenhall, BYU

With the current outbreak of conference shifting and swapping, at least sixth-year BYU head man Bronco Mendenhall can rest assured that he won't have to answer to the demands of a overbearing league boss.

Yes indeedy, BYU and Mendenhall are in their second year of sweet freedom as independents in a world gone mad.

Charlie Weis, Kansas

After compiling a 35-27 record over five seasons as the head coach at Notre Dame, Charlie Weis gets his second shot at leading a college football program with Kansas in 2012.

But where the Irish had recruiting prowess, tradition and lots of funds to work with, the Jayhawks have compiled double-digit wins only four times since they started playing football in 1890.

Weis has his work cut out for him at Kansas (as would anyone), and he may be in over his head.

Bobby Petrino, Arkansas

Regardless of the prescribed odds, Bobby Petrino-coached teams seem to beat the prognosticators at their own game.

Who else could go 41-9 during four seasons at Louisville that included a BCS Orange Bowl victory? Who else looks down the barrel at membership in the SEC West and laughs while he records back-to-back double-digit win seasons?

Coach Petrino—busting the odds right in the chops.

Kirk Ferentz, Iowa

Kirk Ferentz has been the head man at Iowa since 1999, but still it seems that not a season goes by without there being some rumor of Ferentz moving his coaching show up to the NFL.

Ferentz's name has been associated with past openings at Houston, Green Bay, Kansas City, New Orleans, Minnesota and Pittsburgh, making a body wonder if he'll ever make the leap to the pro ranks.

If nothing else, we know they want him...

Derek Dooley, Tennessee

It's fairly easy to forget that Derek Dooley was the guy who took over a troubled Tennessee football program in 2010, but on the other hand, it's understandable that such niceties could be overlooked after 6-7 and then 5-7 performances over the past two years.

Yes, Dooley (who is 28-34 all-time as a head coach) is perched upon one of the hottest seats in the nation in 2012, especially given the returning talent.

Stay tuned this fall to see if the orange-panted youngster's trousers turn red.

Mack Brown, Texas

Before struggling to a 5-7 finish in 2010, Mack Brown's Longhorns had ripped off nine consecutive double-digit win seasons, which does nothing but add emphasis to the devastating nature of the recent goings on in Austin.

Texas looked better last season, a fact that is backed up by a promising 8-5 record, but still it's difficult to shake the feeling that the Mack Brown era of Longhorn football is beginning to slip (and slide).

Mike London, Virginia

Lurking somewhere in the shadows of the ACC Coastal are Mike London and the Virginia Cavaliers who went 8-5 last season tying them for second place in a division they've never before won.

Previous to his role at Virginia, London served for two years as the head man at FCS Richmond where he went 24-5, including to two conference crowns and a national championship.

London and his Cavaliers could be one of the scariest components of next year's ACC.

Art Briles, Baylor

In just four seasons, Baylor's Art Briles has led the Bears to their first ever winning record in the Big 12 and then followed that up with a 10-3 season in 2011 that included a Alamo Bowl victory, a No. 12 ranking in the final AP poll and of course, the Heisman trophy.

It's truly amazing given all the scurrying around to fill coaching slots in 2011-12 that Briles' name wasn't near the top of the list.

Jeff Tedford, California

Entering his 11th season as the head coach at Cal, Jeff Tedford is "staying alive" and looking to improve on the Golden Bears' 7-6 finish in 2012.

Tedford is 79-48 all-time at Cal, and though he's only shared one Pac-10 crown during his tenure and hasn't won more than eight games since 2008, don't count him out just yet.

Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State

Despite the fact that Mike Gundy has gone on to win the Big 12 and the BCS Fiesta Bowl, it's hard not to want to define him via his "I'm a man!" speech from 2007.

Though Bo Diddley was 21 when he sang about being a man and Mike Gundy was 40 when he ranted about being the same thing, the two have a star-crossed connection that could be the bookends of a segment of "six degrees of separation."

Nick Saban, Alabama

Perhaps saying Nick Saban is the Godfather of college football is stretching things a bit, but you can't deny that he's the best coach in the game right now (unless of course you're an LSU or Michigan State fan).

Either way the inference has entertainment value.."you're killing me Les-O, you're killing me."

Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern

If justice or fate ever properly play their roles in the history of football at Northwestern, then Pat Fitzgerald will be the coach that leads the Wildcats to their first bowl victory since they upended Cal in the 1949 Rose Bowl.

Yes, it's been 63 years since Northwestern has tasted from the chalice of sweet postseason victory, and if destiny has anything to say Coach Fitzgerald will be the guy to whom the cup is handed to first.

Skip Holtz, USF

After two seasons of getting things sorted out at South Florida, Skip Holtz's chassis is primed and ready for a shiny new top coat.

Holtz is 13-12 thus far as the Bulls head man, and with 18 returning starters and a temporarily dwindling Big East membership, the paint job could be dazzling in 2012.

Bret Bielema, Wisconsin

While everyone yaps it up about Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State, Bret Bielema and Wisconsin have ruled the Big Ten for the past two seasons.

Overall, Bielema is a whopping 60-19 over his first six seasons in Madison, and it's not a stretch to think that the Rose Bowl appearances are just beginning of what should be a stellar career in the collegiate ranks.

Mike Leach, Washington State

Offensively obsessed Mike Leach's arrival at Washington State is even scarier given the fact that the Cougars already ranked No. 9 nationally passing yards last season.

Yes, things are are about to get explosive in Pullman—and opposing defenses better batten down the hatches when the sword-swinging Leach lights the yardage fuse.

Gene Chizik, Auburn

Gene Chizik has one of the more stoic demeanors in all of sport and his lion-like facial expressions fit the leader of the Tiger Nation perfectly.

Square jawed, iron-faced Chizik is all business on the field, and if he can win a couple of more enchiladas at Auburn he's just the kind of guy who would look good in marble or bronze.

Dana Holgorsen, West Virginia

It's difficult not to be impressed with Dana Holgorsen's inaugural season as a college head coach given the 10-3 record, the shared Big East title and especially the 70-33 stomping of Clemson in the Orange Bowl.

If Holgorsen was a stock trading on the market he'd be trending up, way up.

Al Golden, Miami FL

When Al Golden signed on to be the next coach of the Miami Hurricanes, he was unaware of the building black clouds associated with the blockbuster scandal that will soon bring with it the wrath of the NCAA.

You have to give Golden credit for hanging in there and honoring his contract with Miami despite the deck being stacked against him by previous leaders.

Al Golden is a stand up guy and it will interesting to see what he does when the NCAA is done allocating sanctions at Miami.

Bob Stoops, Oklahoma

Since Bob Stoops took over as Oklahoma's head coach in 1999, the Sooners have captured seven Big 12 crowns, which is indicative of the type of impact Stoops has had on the program.

Mack Brown gets paid more, and Texas may have the stroke from a media perspective—but it's Stoops and his Sooners who have truly ruled the Big 12 on the field.

David Shaw, Stanford

According to Rivals.com, David Shaw and Stanford have pulled in Top 25 recruiting classes since 2009, with the kicker being the class of 2012 who were rated a lofty No. 5.

Yes, Andrew Luck and a host of talented Cardinal athletes might be gone, but the cupboard is far from bare. Shaw will have an impressive stockpile of talent to work with in the seasons ahead.

Dan Mullen, Mississippi State

Dan Mullen is a good coach and Mississippi State has a solid football program, but the bottom line is that the Bulldogs have struggled to produce in what is a stacked SEC West.

If Mullen and friends could compete in any other division in any other conference in the FBS they might well be a dominant force.

Since Mullen arrived in 2009, the only SEC West foe they've ever beaten is Ole Miss which they've done three times meaning they are 0-fer against Auburn, Alabama, Arkansas and LSU.

Membership in the western side of the SEC is a huge burden to carry...just ask Coach Mullen.

Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech

Since the ACC split into divisions in 2005, Frank Beamer's Virginia Tech teams have captured the Coastal division title five out of seven years and have gone on to be conference champs three times.

All in all, Beamer can lay claim to three Big East and four ACC titles, making him one of the most dominant coaches in the history of the league.

Steve Sarkisian, Washington

Steve Sarkisian is just 19-19 in his first three seasons at Washington—but he's the kind of guy that, if he starts winning, is the perfect candidate to be the sweepstakes prize in an upcoming coaching carousel drawing.

Sarkisian is young, talented and motivated enough to climb to the heights of his chosen profession.

Tim Beckman, Illinois

It's hard to say how incoming Illinois coach Tim Beckman will do in Champaign, but for Illini opponents he presents a fairly scary question mark.

Beckman is a guy with a tremendous track record who takes over a program that has teemed with potential in recent years.

It's the perfect formula for a winning cocktail—and don't be surprised if Beckman serves it up sooner than later.

James Franklin, Vanderbilt

Vandy's James Franklin is so intense, so determined and so prone to screaming that he could easily be mistaken for the Pelini brothers' long lost sibling.

Franklin is just the kind of guy to lead a team like Vanderbilt out of the SEC cellar.

Kyle Whittingham, Utah

After going 4-5 in Pac-12 play in 2011, Kyle Whittingham has to be chomping at the bit to give his new BCS AQ status another spin.

With 18 returning starters and continuing improvements from a recruiting standpoint, there is no reason to think Whittingham won't put the Pac-12 helmet on his head and smash through every barrier between him and Utah-hued glory.

Brady Hoke, Michigan

Though perhaps not as polished and groomed as some of his big time coaching brethren, Brady Hoke's physicality has a certain motivational aura that is hard not to like.

Picture Bluto's infamous and inspiring speech to the Delta Tau's in Animal House where he compels his brothers to smite the establishment. Then insert Hoke for Belushi and change the text to include references to Ohio State and Sparty rather than the Omega's and Dean Wormer.

How do you not love that?

"Thank you sir, may I have another."