Where Kalen DeBoer ranks among CBS Sports' top college coaches for 2024
A panel of college football writers from CBS Sports ranked the best college football coaches in the country. It ranked the top-68 head coaches in the Power Four conferences, each based on his own criteria, and compiled a list of the best coaches entering the 2024 season.
In the past, the rankings had been easy. Start at the top with Nick Saban and then work your way down. But Saban retired back on Jan. 10, giving way to a new No. 1 and shuffling in not only the list but the coaching profession. Replacing Saban at Alabama is Kalen DeBoer, who was No. 31 in CBS Sports’ 2023 rankings, and he climbed 24 spots to No. 7 for 2024.
Georgia’s Kirby Smart topped this year’s list, followed by Ohio State’s Ryan Day, Clemson’s Dabo Swinney, LSU’s Brian Kelly, Texas’ Steve Sarkisian and Utah’s Kyle Whittingham. Behind DeBoer was Florida State’s Mike Norvell at No. 8, Oregon’s Dan Lanning at No. 9 and USC’s Lincoln Riley at No. 10. There were eight SEC head coaches among the top 25.
“You don’t have to be a genius to have seen this climb coming from DeBoer,” Tom Fornelli wrote. “First, he led Washington to a Pac-12 title and the College Football Playoff National Championship. Then, he left to replace Nick Saban at Alabama. When that happens, you’re going to climb in the rankings.
“While DeBoer is a terrific coach, I’ve always thought you don’t want to be the guy who replaces The Guy, so it’ll be interesting to see how things go in Tuscaloosa. Will DeBoer be given the support and leeway he needs? If Alabama’s smart, he will because he’s won everywhere he’s gone.”
DeBoer was hired at Alabama on Jan. 12 after two seasons at Washington, where he led the Huskies to a 25-3 record and an appearance in the national championship game. In his previous three stops as a head coach, which include five years at the NAIA level, DeBoer has an overall record of 104-12. He arrives at Alabama with an 89.7 winning percentage.
To see CBS Sports’ full rankings of the Power Four college head coaches, CLICK HERE.
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