Is it the coach or the program? Ranking CFB coaches while factoring in expectations
Briefly

The top college football coaches ranked by ESPN for 2025 include Kirby Smart, Ryan Day, Dabo Swinney, and others, reflecting their coaching success at prominent programs. Most top coaches operate within wealthy, supported environments, which brings both advantages and pressures. The context of each coaching position varies, making it challenging to directly compare outcomes of coaches from different backgrounds. Evaluating performance requires a blend of overall quality and how well a coach meets the specific expectations of their program, underscoring the complexities of coaching success in college football.
The top eight coaches in the ESPN rankings all work for the richest, well-supported programs, presenting both major pressures and advantages in their roles.
Measuring coaching performance involves assessing overall quality and quality relative to the expectations of the job, as coaching contexts vary significantly.
Read at ESPN.com
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