COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Bill Snyder, Kansas State: There are remarkable turnarounds, and there is what Snyder has done at Kansas State. He took over the worst program in FBS history and guided it to two Big 12 titles, four division titles and six top-10 finishes, including four straight from 1997 and 2000. The four-time Big 12 Coach of the Year and two-time national coach of the year guided Kansas State to three Fiesta Bowls and one Cotton Bowl.
Gary Patterson, TCU: Patterson is the reason TCU returned to a major conference -- and why it has quickly become a championship contender. He led the Horned Frogs to championships in three leagues (Big 12, Mountain West and Conference USA) and twice claimed national coach of the year honors (2009, 2014). TCU went 13-0 in 2010 but didn’t qualify for the BCS title game because of its league affiliation. The 2014 Frogs looked national-title worthy but ended up two spots outside the inaugural playoff.
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Mark Richt, Miami: Richt’s recent firing at Georgia underscored what he didn’t do in Athens, but let’s not forget what he did do. He went 145-51 with the Bulldogs, winning two league championships and six SEC East division titles. The two-time SEC Coach of the Year recorded seven top-10 finishes and two top-3 finishes (2002, 2007). Richt won seven of his first nine bowls, including two Sugar Bowls.
Chris Petersen, Washington: Petersen put himself on the national radar with brilliant play calls in Boise State’s win against Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl. He led Boise State to two top-five finishes and two BCS bowl wins in his first four seasons and recorded four top-10 finishes at the school. A two-time national coach of the year recipient, Petersen had Boise State positioned for a possible BCS title game appearance in 2010 before Nevada ended the Broncos’ 24-game win streak.
David Shaw, Stanford: Shaw has less experience than any coach on this list, but his immediate impact at Stanford is remarkable. He has guided the Cardinal to three Pac-12 titles, four Pac-12 North division titles and two Rose Bowl championships in his first five seasons. The three-time Pac-12 Coach of the Year has three top-seven finishes, including last season's No. 3, and has finished outside the top 11 just once (2014).
I think Petrino should also be on that list.
Bill Snyder, Kansas State: There are remarkable turnarounds, and there is what Snyder has done at Kansas State. He took over the worst program in FBS history and guided it to two Big 12 titles, four division titles and six top-10 finishes, including four straight from 1997 and 2000. The four-time Big 12 Coach of the Year and two-time national coach of the year guided Kansas State to three Fiesta Bowls and one Cotton Bowl.
Gary Patterson, TCU: Patterson is the reason TCU returned to a major conference -- and why it has quickly become a championship contender. He led the Horned Frogs to championships in three leagues (Big 12, Mountain West and Conference USA) and twice claimed national coach of the year honors (2009, 2014). TCU went 13-0 in 2010 but didn’t qualify for the BCS title game because of its league affiliation. The 2014 Frogs looked national-title worthy but ended up two spots outside the inaugural playoff.
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Mark Richt, Miami: Richt’s recent firing at Georgia underscored what he didn’t do in Athens, but let’s not forget what he did do. He went 145-51 with the Bulldogs, winning two league championships and six SEC East division titles. The two-time SEC Coach of the Year recorded seven top-10 finishes and two top-3 finishes (2002, 2007). Richt won seven of his first nine bowls, including two Sugar Bowls.
Chris Petersen, Washington: Petersen put himself on the national radar with brilliant play calls in Boise State’s win against Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl. He led Boise State to two top-five finishes and two BCS bowl wins in his first four seasons and recorded four top-10 finishes at the school. A two-time national coach of the year recipient, Petersen had Boise State positioned for a possible BCS title game appearance in 2010 before Nevada ended the Broncos’ 24-game win streak.
David Shaw, Stanford: Shaw has less experience than any coach on this list, but his immediate impact at Stanford is remarkable. He has guided the Cardinal to three Pac-12 titles, four Pac-12 North division titles and two Rose Bowl championships in his first five seasons. The three-time Pac-12 Coach of the Year has three top-seven finishes, including last season's No. 3, and has finished outside the top 11 just once (2014).
I think Petrino should also be on that list.
