Top Contenders for College Football Coach of Year
Early favorites have emerged in the race for college football's Coach of the Year in 2016, and the list is riddled with potential first-time winners.
Most of the usual suspects are in the conversation, but they're chasing leaders of resurgent programs. However, the old guard has plenty of time to climb the rankings.
Heading into Week 6, the following slides show how we view the race for the annual award. October is certain to shake up the college football world, so any coaches not mentioned could earn consideration and those included could drop out.
Feel free to add your current leader or under-the-radar option in the comment section.
Names to Watch
1 of 8
Jim Harbaugh, Michigan: A relatively soft opening schedule keeps Jim Harbaugh off the main portion of the list, but Michigan has asserted itself as a dangerous opponent thanks to a feisty defense. Once the end of October arrives, the Wolverines will have a chance to prove their early-season dominance was a sign of things to come.
Mark Richt, Miami: It's the same story in Miami. Mark Richt has guided the 'Canes to four straight emphatic wins over inferior teams. The difficulty of the schedule will only continue to rise. An October stretch against Florida State, North Carolina, Virginia Tech and Notre Dame will show if Miami is truly a Top 10 team.
Nick Saban, Alabama: After shaking Ole Miss for the first time since 2013, Alabama is 5-0 and cruising into SEC play. Three straight ranked opponents—Arkansas, Tennessee and Texas A&M—are on the docket before the Crimson Tide travel to LSU. If they survive that slate unblemished, Saban could earn his second Coach of the Year honor.
Butch Jones, Tennessee: Double-digit comebacks probably aren't a sustainable way to win. However, Tennessee has managed three such rallies and is the favorite to win the SEC East. A victory over either Texas A&M or Alabama would propel Jones into the top tier.
Dabo Swinney, Clemson: Wins don't have to be pretty. Clemson's offense stumbled through the early portion of the schedule, but the team still played well enough to avoid a loss. Following a thrilling triumph against Louisville, Clemson is 5-0 with a favorable remaining schedule. Once the flash returns, Swinney will rise, too.
Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M: For the third straight year, Texas A&M has started 5-0. Can Kevin Sumlin and Co. finish the job in 2016? The Aggies will need to navigate a tough slate that includes Tennessee, Alabama, Ole Miss and LSU.
D.J. Durkin, Maryland: The opening third of D.J. Durkin's head coaching debut has been a success. Maryland sits at 4-0 entering Big Ten action, but Ohio State and Michigan await.
Chris Creighton, Eastern Michigan: His time may be short-lived on this list, but Chris Creighton deserves a spot for now. Eastern Michigan has four wins, which is already tied for the second-most in a season over the last two decades.
7. Paul Chryst, Wisconsin
2 of 8
During the offseason, it seemed that Wisconsin had a chance to be the best 2-5 team in college football history with games against LSU, Michigan State, Michigan, Ohio State and Iowa dotting the first seven weeks of its schedule. However, victories over LSU and Michigan State have propelled Paul Chryst's club into the national picture.
The Badgers lack the offensive firepower to compete for a national title, but the defense has been nothing short of stellar.
Although a matchup with Ohio State will likely result in a second loss, Chryst's Coach of the Year candidacy won't be ruined. Wisconsin could rattle off six straight wins, claim the Big Ten West Division crown and receive a second shot at either Michigan or Ohio State.
Chryst staying in contention is only feasible if the Badgers win the division. But with this defense, don't count out Wisconsin.
6. Bobby Petrino, Louisville
3 of 8
Yes, Louisville lost to Clemson, but the award doesn't always go to a championship team. For instance, TCU's Gary Patterson took home the honor after an 11-1 regular season in 2014.
Bobby Petrino's team is a point-scoring powerhouse this season, already accumulating 290 in just five games. During 13 contests last year, the Cardinals managed a total of 373.
Dynamic quarterback Lamar Jackson has emerged as a favorite for the Heisman Trophy. If he can avoid a lapse in conference play, Jackson will have one last significant opportunity to impress on the national stage when Louisville travels to Houston on Nov. 17.
That game could have College Football Playoff implications as well. The Cardinals still aren't eliminated from the conversation.
Regardless, if Louisville earns a berth in any New Year's Six bowl game, Petrino will be a contender for the honor.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
5. Mike MacIntyre, Colorado
4 of 8
Mike MacIntyre's squad smashed Colorado State and Idaho State to open the season, but Colorado's most impressive game is arguably the loss at Michigan. The Buffs hung around for three quarters before an injury sidelined quarterback Sefo Liufau.
Since then, Colorado went on the road and beat Oregon before obliterating Oregon State. Suddenly, the Pac-12 South Division has an unexpected contender from a school that had two conference wins over the last three seasons combined.
MacIntyre deserves a place because of his program's performance so far, but the Pac-12 slate will be a massive test for Buffs. They'll travel to USC and Stanford and host UCLA, among other games.
If Colorado keeps winning, MacIntyre has a chance.
4. Chris Petersen, Washington
5 of 8
The hype was warranted. Washington doesn't need any more evidence than its 38-point beatdown of Stanford.
But now the Huskies need to back it up.
Chris Petersen has built a well-rounded roster. Led by sophomore duo Jake Browning and Myles Gaskin, Washington's offense ranks 11th nationally with 7.04 yards per play. Meanwhile, the defense ranks ninth, surrendering just 4.23 yards per snap.
The fifth-ranked Huskies have become the Pac-12 favorite. An undefeated season is feasible, but Washington could still make the CFP as a one-loss conference champion. If that happens, Petersen will be solidified as a legitimate choice for the award.
3. Urban Meyer, Ohio State
6 of 8
While expectations are always high for Ohio State, it seemed merely managing 10 wins in 2016 would still be a successful year. Urban Meyer has discarded that notion quickly.
For the Buckeyes, this season is championship or bust.
They absolutely steamrolled Bowling Green (77-10), Tulsa (48-3) and Rutgers (58-0) and earned a convincing victory at Oklahoma (45-24). Ohio State is an outstanding young team.
And that youth is a primary selling point of Meyer's resume for COY honors. This isn't a veteran roster built to obliterate everything. That was supposed to be the 2015 squad.
Unless Wisconsin or Nebraska can stun the Buckeyes, they're likely to host Michigan at 11-0 and compete for a playoff berth.
2. P.J. Fleck, Western Michigan
7 of 8
P.J. Fleck assumed control of the Western Michigan football program in 2013. That season, the team trudged to a 1-11 record.
In 2016, the Broncos are 5-0 and one victory away from securing their first-ever AP poll ranking. If they can dispatch Northern Illinois, WMU will jump from 26th and officially into the Top 25.
Additionally, for the first time in school history, the Broncos have earned two victories against power-conference opponents during the same season—and both games were on the road. They edged Northwestern (22-21) and hammered Illinois (34-10).
Soon, Fleck—who guided Western Michigan to its first-ever bowl victory in 2015—will be mentioned as a top candidate for major vacancies.
1. Tom Herman, Houston
8 of 8
Tom Herman is the hottest prospective name on the coaching market for a very good reason.
Since arriving at Houston in 2015, the program is 18-1 overall. During this stretch, the Cougars have won an American Athletic Conference title, beat Florida State in last season's Peach Bowl and have now climbed as high as No. 6 in the AP poll.
The 41-year-old has already been connected to LSU's opening and is considered the top choice at Texas if Charlie Strong is fired. But Herman says he remains focused on his current team—one that knocked off then-No. 3 Oklahoma to begin the season.
"You guys like talking about things," Herman said, per Sam Khan Jr. of ESPN.com. "It's your job to talk about things. And it's my job to make sure a bunch of 18- to 22-year-olds play really hard on game day and execute really well. It really doesn't creep into our lives very much."
Although there's no guarantee he leaves Houston after the season, Herman will have a wide selection of new job opportunities in the near future. But he might earn Coach of the Year first.
All recruiting information via Scout. Stats from cfbstats or B/R research. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
