So says Richard Cirminiello, who ranks the 116 NCAA Div. 1-A coaches in a
piece currently posted on collegefootballnews.com.
Noting that his rankings are based on recent performance and not ''a lifetime
achievement award,'' Cirminiello lists the top five in this order:
1. Bob Stoops, Oklahoma
2. Jim Tressel, Ohio State
3. Ralph Friedgen, Maryland
4. Nick Saban, LSU
5. Mark Richt, Georgia
Tennessee's Phillip Fulmer is rated No. 10. Other SEC coaches are as
follows:
20. Lou Holtz, South Carolina
23. Houston Nutt, Arkansas
31. Tommy Tuberville, Auburn
49. Ron Zook, Florida
63. Jackie Sherrill, Miss. State
64. David Cutcliffe, Ole Miss
65. Mike Shula, Alabama
79. Rich Brooks, Kentucky
94. Bobby Johnson, Vanderbilt
Incidentally, former Alabama head man Dennis Franchione (now at Texas
A&M) is rated No. 8. Former Vol assistant Walt Harris (now at Pittsburgh) is
ranked No. 21.
And, underscoring his assertion that his rankings are not a lifetime
achievement award, Cirminiello rates Penn State's Joe Paterno and Florida
State's Bobby Bowden No. 39 and No. 40, respectively.