BCS Standings: Kansas States' Bill Snyder and 5 Coach of the Year Candidates

At the age of 72, Bill Snyder has the Kansas State Wildcats at 6-0 and ranked No. 11 in the BCS.

The Wildcats are the surprise team of 2011 thus far and what Snyder has done for this team should surely get him some consideration for coach of the year. 

But, Snyder is not the only coach having a season that is worthy of consideration, as there are coaches all over the country having superb seasons. 

Dabo Swinney

Dabo Swinney has the Clemson Tigers at 7-0 and in position to go to a BCS Bowl game.

The Tigers have impressive victories over Auburn, Florida State and Virginia Tech.

After a disappointing 6-7 campaign in 2010, Swinney seems to have the Tigers back on top in the ACC in 2011.

As of right now, Swinney is the leader in the young Clemson clubhouse, as his team keeps winning against good teams. 

Mike Gundy

Mike Gundy has come a long way since his, "I'm a man, I'm 40" rant and now has the Oklahoma State Cowboys at No. 4 in the BCS.

Sitting pretty at 6-0, the Cowboys control their own destiny and should play in the BCS National Championship game if they win out in the Big-12. 

Gundy has turned the Cowboys into one of the best teams in the country and should be commended for that. 

Les Miles

It would be hard to find a college football coach who has dealt with more adversity in 2011 than Les Miles.

The "Mad Hatter" began the season without his starting quarterback and still led them to the top spot in the BCS Rankings.

Most recently, he had to suspend his top defender and power running back due to positive tests for synthetic marijuana. 

If Miles is able to win the National Championship while having to deal with all these suspensions, it would be difficult to find a coach who deserves the honor more than the "Mad Hatter."

Bret Bielema

To follow up their Rose Bowl birth in 2010, Bret Bielema and the Wisconsin Badgers have opened up the 2011 season 6-0 and atop the Big Ten conference.

Bielema deserves credit for the success of the program and has done wonders for recruiting, as he was able to secure his starting quarterback via transfer from NC State.

Russell Wilson and Bielema have the Badgers poised to make a National Championship run, if the cards fall in their favor, and are looking at a possible BCS birth even if a National Championship doesn't work out.

If the Badgers are able to finish the season unbeaten, Bielema deserves some consideration for coach of the year. 

Nick Saban

After losing his starting quarterback and running back to the NFL, Nick Saban has his Alabama Crimson Tide undefeated through seven games.

Saban also has his defense ranked No. 1 in the nation in points against, allowing just seven points per game. The most points the defense has allowed all year was 14 to Arkansas.

The Crimson Tide could very well be the best team in the country and Saban could be looking at his second National Championship in three years.