re: List of top five active coaches in college football

Here are the top 10 active head D1, P5 coaches, by win percentage:

1. Lincoln Riley (8-1, .889)
2. Urban Meyer (172-31, .847)
3. Chris Petersen (127-27, .825)
4. Jimbo Fisher (81-21, .794)
5. Nick Saban (219-61, .781)
6. David Shaw (70-19, .778)
7. Kirby Smart (17-5, .772)
8. Dabo Swinney (97-29, .770)
9. Mark Richt (162-55, .747)
10. Tom Herman (26-9, .743)

LINK

I think based on the data the list should go like this:

1 (a) and 1 (b) - Meyer and Saban
3. Dabo
4. Fisher
5. Petersen

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1. Saban - multiple national titles.

2. Urban - multiple national titles.

3. Dabo - recent national title, conference titles

4. Jimbo - recent national title, conference titles

5. tie: Chip Kelly/Gus - went to national title, have conference title

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Agree with this for the most part. If Auburn continues their recent play and wins another SEC Title, then Gus if firmly #5 and arguably #4 up there with Jimbo. If Auburn were to somehow win the National Title, then IMO its a pretty fierce debate for #3 with Dabo.

If Gus were to win a National Title this season, he and Dabo would have each won one and played for another. The difference is that one would have done it in 5 seasons in the SEC, the other would have done it in 10 or so seasons in the ACC.

I think that after his two recent big wins, Gus moves up to a clear #5 right now. He could go as high as #3 based on how his team finishes.

Saban is a clear #1
Urban is a clear #2

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Agree with this for the most part. If Auburn continues their recent play and wins another SEC Title, then Gus if firmly #5 and arguably #4 up there with Jimbo. If Auburn were to somehow win the National Title, then IMO its a pretty fierce debate for #3 with Dabo.

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I appreciate the analysis, and I am glad we can pretty much all agree Jimbo is a top five coach.

That is obviously what I was going for.

Ed Orgeron is not in the top five? List is shite!

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I appreciate the analysis, and I am glad we can pretty much all agree Jimbo is a top five coach.

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He has a National Title to his name. The only active coaches who can claim that I believe are Saban (2003, 2009, 2011, 2012, & 2015), Meyer (2006, 2008, & 2014), Fisher (2013), and Dabo (2016).

2010- Chizik (out of coaching)
2007- Miles (out of coaching)
2005- Brown (out of coaching)
2004- Carroll (NFL)

Yeah, there is no question that Saban (#1), Urban (#2), Dabo (#3), and Fisher (#4) is the correct order. It's almost impossible to try to say otherwise.

However, both Gus and Kirby have a shot to be a solid #5 if either were to win an SEC or National Title this year. And since Gus has a shot at a 2nd SEC as well as playing for a 2nd Natty, then he could rise as high as #3 if he were to pull it off.

I don't think you can accurately judge an HC's entire career if they have coached fewer than 10 seasons.

Gustav is just finishing up his 7th year, and we're just now starting to get a handle on his abilities. And who knows, he could screw things up and go 8-5 again in 2018, so his long term prospects are still a mystery.

Saban was 52-30-1 with only a MAC co-championship to his credit after his 7th season. Larry Coker was 60-15 with a BCSC, three ACC championships and three top 5 finishes.

Saban and Urb are clear #1 and #2. Dabo is probably the best candidate for #3 based on his record and his longevity. Peterson is my pick for #4, and Patterson is #5.