College Football 2011: 10 Coaches Who Could Get a Win If Life Depended on It
No game is really a life or death situation, but sometimes it just feels like it; you want "your" team to win so bad that a loss is unacceptable.
As the pressure rises, some players rise to the occasion—think Vince Young in the BCS Championship against USC. He was straight money in that game.
The same can be said for coaches; the higher the stakes, the better they prepare and perform.
Is the coach of your team someone you would bet your life on to win one big game?
See if he made our top 10.
10. Lance Leipold, Wisconsin-Whitewater
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When Lance Leipold took over the Warhawks in 2007, Whitewater was a great program with a proud tradition.
However, the Warhawks could not get past Mount Union in the Division III Championship game.
In four years, Leipold has turned the tables on the Purple Raiders, and Whitewater has won three of the last four Stagg Bowls.
9. Kyle Whittingham, Utah
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It won't take the Pac-12 long to learn that Kyle Whittingham is a great coach.
He also has his Utes as prepared as anyone.
Whittingham made a huge impression at the 2009 Sugar Bowl when underdog Utah cruised to a 31-17 victory over Alabama.
That's the definition of a big-game coach, especially considering he pulled it off against another great big-game coach in Nick Saban.
8. Gary Patterson, TCU
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This past January's showing in the Rose Bowl is enough proof for most, but Gary Patterson has been delivering big-time performances for TCU since 2001.
When the Horned Frogs make the jump to the Big East in 2012 he'll get more chances to show his coaching superiority.
It should be interesting to see how Patterson and TCU do when the Frogs travel to Boise State Nov. 12.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
7. Steve Sarkisian, Washington
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Don't get too caught up in Steve Sarkisian's 12-13 record.
When he arrived in Seattle, Washington was basically Jake Locker and a lot of inferior talent. He's rebuilding the program and should start competing for the Pac-12 crown soon.
What makes him special is how he out-thinks most of his peers on the other sideline.
He even out-coached his mentor Pete Carroll in a 16-13 win in 2009.
Another positive sign is how he rallied Washington to a 19-7 win over Nebraska in the 2010 Holiday Bowl; the Cornhuskers crushed the Huskies 56-21 earlier in the season.
6. Jimbo Fisher, Florida State
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Jimbo Fisher is still building a reputation as a head coach, but all signs point to major success for the future.
The Seminoles ended the losing skid against rival Florida last year, but you can't ignore two losses to Oklahoma (47-17) and Virginia Tech (44-33).
Fisher's ability to game plan with the best coaches in the game can't be overlooked though, and he's just going to keep getting better.
5. Kirk Ferentz, Iowa
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He's been underestimated in the past, but Kirk Ferentz usually comes out on top.
When Iowa had not won a BCS bowl game, Ferentz guided the Hawkeyes to a key 24-14 win over favored Georgia Tech in the 2010 Orange Bowl.
Last year, when the odds were stacked against Ferentz's team again, Iowa didn't back down and beat Missouri 27-24 in the Insight Bowl.
Expectations are about average for Iowa in 2011. Don't be shocked though when Ferentz finds a way to get Iowa near the top of the Big Ten.
4. Les Miles, LSU
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With everything riding on one game, Les Miles is going to pull out all of his Mad Hatter tricks.
That gambling spirit has backfired, but Miles also rode his "against-the-book" style to the 2007 BCS Championship.
His unorthodox style is often mocked, but it's exactly what you want with so much on the line.
3. Gene Chizik, Auburn
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In three consecutive big-time games, Gene Chizik guided Auburn to three victories; those all came at the end of the 2010 season.
By the way, those games included an unbelievable come-from-behind win against Alabama in Tuscaloosa and another big-time performance against Oregon in the title game.
Doesn't get much better than that—unless you're a Crimson Tide fan.
For those who can't forget Chizik's two miserable years at Iowa State, it's time to let it go.
2. Nick Saban, Alabama
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He's Nick Saban. Enough said.
Remember when Tiger Woods was on top of his game, and other golfers looked scared going against him?
That's how other coaches respond to facing Saban.
Like any coach he's had some low moments, but he's one of the best, and who wouldn't want Saban in charge with one game to win?
1. Chris Petersen, Boise State
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Chris Petersen is the epitome of a big-game coach.
Every time Boise State is counted out, Petersen's team finds a way to get the win.
Last year, the Broncos rallied to take down Virginia Tech in the season-opener. Of course, who could forget the famous Statue of Liberty play that led Boise to the upset of Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl.
Petersen makes gutsy calls, and he lives with the consequences. But he is so confident in his players and game plan that it's not really a gamble.
Petersen is about as clutch as they come in college football.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
