College Football 2011 Predictions: Ranking the Top 10 Coaches for 2011

This was an excellent college football season.

We saw a lot of dynamic players come out of nowhere. Teams and head coaches emerged from the shadows to overtake college football.

Now, we have new head coaches joining the ranks of the elite as teams look for a BCS National Championship.

Let’s take a look at 10 of the top coaches for the 2011 college football season.

10. David Shaw, Stanford

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03: Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal celebrates as he walks off the field after Stanford won 40-12 against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 3, 2011 in Miami, Florida.

The limelight will be on Shaw to see if he can duplicate Jim Harbaugh’s success.

Shaw inherits a team with a great chance to make a run at a BCS National Championship. Quarterback Andrew Luck turned down millions of dollars for the opportunity to win a championship. Shaw needs to have a great season before Luck departs.

9. Mark Dantonio, Michigan St.

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EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 23: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans returned to the sidelines for a game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 23, 2010 in Evanston, Illinois. Michigan State defeated Northwestern 35-27.

Michigan St. surprised most this season. They stumbled a bit towards the end of the year. Now that they’ll be on the radar, Dantonio will under the spotlight now more than ever. It is up to Dantonio to make sure this team stays focused and keeps the chip on their shoulder. He has the talent back and ready to prove last year was no fluke. It’s a different beast when people expect things now, though.

8. Mike Gundy, Oklahoma St.

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AUSTIN, TX - OCTOBER 25: Head coach Mike Gundy of the Oklahoma State Cowboys during play against the Texas Longhorns at Texas Memorial Stadium on October 25, 2008 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Gundy has arguably the top quarterback-wide receiver duo in the nation returning in Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon. With that tandem, a lot is going to be expected out of Gundy and his Cowboys.

7. Gary Patterson, TCU

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Head coach Gary Patterson of the TCU Horned Frogs holds the Rose Bowl Championship Trophy after defeating the Wisconsin Badgers 21-19 in the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/

The Horned Frogs have just completed two consecutive undefeated seasons. They have the talent to go for a third. This time, they want a BCS Championship berth and it is up to Patterson to lead them there.

6. Jim Tressel, Ohio St.

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Head coach Jim Tressel of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/G

With Terrelle Pryor and others suspended for the first four games, we are going to truly see what Tressel is made of. It will be very impressive if he is able to weather that storm. It would go a long way to cementing his coaching status amongst the college ranks.

5. Gene Chizik, Auburn

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Head coach Gene Chizik of the Auburn Tigers celebrates the Tigers 22-19 victory against the Oregon Ducks during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizo

Mark my words, Auburn will not win another BCS Championship. They lost their most important player on each side of the ball to the NFL, Nick Fairley on defense and Heisman winner Cam Newton on offense.

All eyes will be on Chizik to see if he can bring the Tigers to another undefeated season.

The pressure is truly on, Chizik.

4. Les Miles, LSU

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ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 07: Head coach Les Miles of the Louisiana State University Tigers watches the score board during a timeout against the Texas A&M Aggies during the AT&T Cotton Bowl at Cowboys Stadium on January 7, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo

Les Miles turned down the opportunity to rebuild Michigan to stick with the Tigers he built over the past few years. Miles has a BCS Championship under his belt, but LSU is looking for another. Miles has assembled a great team and they are on the cusp of another Title.

3. Nick Saban, Alabama

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 13: Coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide directs play against the Mississippi State Bulldogs November 13, 2010 at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Arguably the greatest college football coach, Saban’s Crimson Tide had a rough season. Once again though, all eyes will be on Saban to rebuild and get the Tide back to the top of the nation. Saban has the track record, but it is never a guarantee.

2. Bob Stoops, Oklahoma

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: Head coach Bob Stoops looks on while taking on the Connecticut Huskies during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Many are penciling in Stoops’ Sooners for the BCS Championship game next year. The talent is there for Oklahoma to dominate the season and go undefeated with a Championship victory. It is up to Stoops to captain the ship.

1. Chip Kelly, Oregon

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Head coach Chip Kelly of the Oregon Ducks looks on during their 22-19 loss to the Auburn Tigers during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Pho

Chip Kelly’s Ducks went undefeated in the regular season and were so close to defeating Gene Chizik’s Auburn Tigers in the BCS Championship. With so many star players returning, the Ducks have arguably the best chance of any team to make it to the BCS Championship once again.

That is if Kelly can keep everything intact like he did this year.