The Joel Klatt Show: A College Football Podcast Klatt’s Top 10 Head Coaches in College Football
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Feb 23, 2026 A spirited ranking of the top 10 head coaches in college football after the 2025 season. Conversations cover rapid risers like Dan Lanning and Marcus Freeman. Debates over established powerhouses such as Kirby Smart and Ryan Day heat up. Surprising placements and a Big 12 coach praised for recent sustained success keep things lively.
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Modern Era Criteria For Ranking Coaches
- Joel Klatt ranks coaches based on success in the modern NIL/transfer era, prioritizing performance post-COVID and in the last 2–4 years.
- He frames the list as who he'd hire right now, emphasizing recent adaptability to roster movement and recruiting shifts.
Why Lane Kiffin Makes The List Despite A Messy Exit
- Klatt places Lane Kiffin at number 10 despite a messy Ole Miss exit because "the guy can coach football."
- He cites Ole Miss averaging over 500 yards per game (most in FBS over that span) as evidence of Kiffin's offense-building track record.
Cristobal Proved He Can Win Big Games
- Mario Cristobal sits at #9 after Miami's championship-game run showed he can win big games and finish strong.
- Klatt points to wins over Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Texas A&M as proof he broke prior November/large-game stigmas.