College football has rightfully become a more player-centric sport in recent years, thanks to the transfer portal and NIL. But the spotlight is never far from the coaches, especially as the season winds down and awards week nears.
It's time to recognize the top coaching performances around the sport for 2023. I have always tried to take a holistic approach toward evaluating coaches, especially for end-of-season recognition. Awards shouldn't only go to coaches whose teams overachieved. It's ridiculous that no Ohio State coach won Big Ten coach of the year between Earle Bruce in 1979 and Ryan Day in 2019. Just because Jim Tressel and Urban Meyer oversaw teams packed with talent didn't mean they had little to no influence on the overall performance. Both should have won the award at least once.
Then again, coaches who help teams significantly overcome their preseason outlooks often deserve more credit. Factors such as off-field adversity, injuries and other roster changes, and schedule and conference depth go into evaluating coaches.
Like most, this season created some difficult choices in most leagues, namely the Pac-12. There also were some obvious picks, like UNLV's Barry Odom in the Mountain West.
Below you'll find my coach of the year selections, runners-up and rationale for all 10 conferences. I also included a short section in each Power 5 league to shout out the top coordinators.
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ACC | Big 12
Big Ten | Pac-12
SEC | AAC
C-USA | MAC
Mountain West
Sun Belt
ACC
Coach of the Year: Jeff Brohm, Louisville (10-2)
There are no guaranteed home runs when it comes to coaching hires, but Brohm's return to Louisville seemed pretty close to a sure thing. Louisville fans rejoiced at the chance to land the former Cardinals quarterback from the city's most famous football family. Brohm had gotten Purdue to a Big Ten title game, and had the tactics and local knowledge to take Louisville even further. But he still inherited a Louisville team that had gone .500 in ACC play in 2022, and had some holes at spots like offensive line, wide receiver and linebacker. The Cardinals were picked eighth in the ACC preseason poll, a reasonable selection for a team that had not won more than five league games in a season since 2016.
Brohm not only led Louisville to its first-ever ACC championship game, but showed growth in letting the team's defense and run game lead the way. I had seen him coach Purdue out of wins, including the 2022 opener against Penn State, through overaggressive strategy and not enough shrewd game management. Louisville didn't need a pedal-down approach with a defense that held six opponents, including Notre Dame and Duke, to 20 points or fewer.
Runner up: Mike Norvell, Florida State (12-0)
Norvell has grown into one of the nation's top coaches, guiding Florida State to its first ACC championship game appearance since 2014, and an undefeated regular season. Although the Seminoles nearly leapfrogged Clemson as the ACC preseason favorite and appeared at No. 8 in the AP preseason poll, they exceeded the outlook by showing great balance, leading the league in both scoring offense and scoring defense, and excelling in both passing the ball and defending the pass. Saturday's come-from-behind win against Florida, without star quarterback Jordan Travis, further confirmed that Norvell has found the right formula with the Noles. He has built a formidable roster both through recruiting and the transfer portal, and reestablished FSU as an elite program.
Coordinator shoutout: Louisville defensive coordinator Ron English. Brohm brought all three of his coordinators with him from Purdue to Louisville. English gets the nod here as the team's primary defensive playcaller. He inherited a top 25 defense and made it even stronger with some new pieces, as Louisville shut out two opponents and ranks 24th nationally in points allowed. Also worth mentioning here are Florida State defensive coordinator Adam Fuller, North Carolina first-year offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey and Miami defensive coordinator Lance Guidry.
Big 12
Coach of the Year: Steve Sarkisian, Texas (11-1)
Sarkisian is in his 10th season as a head coach but finally found the right mix of playcalling prowess and big-picture vision to get Texas on the verge of its first Big 12 title since 2009. Texas once again featured the Big 12's most talented roster but, unlike last season, avoided repeated letdown games and seemed to handle both success and adversity better. Sarkisian recorded a signature win in Week 2 at Alabama, as Texas became the first non-league opponent to win in Tuscaloosa since 2007, Nick Saban's first year as the Crimson Tide's coach. Even after a painful loss to Oklahoma in the Red River game, Texas didn't spiral and found ways to get through tight contests against Houston, Kansas State and TCU, before blowing out Texas Tech 57-7 to cap the regular season.
The growth of Sarkisian as a head coach -- not simply an innovative playcaller, which is how he built his reputation as a young assistant for Pete Carroll at USC -- showed this fall. His recent explanation of what goes into a team's culture provided insight on how he established a program through relationship building and core values, not through signs or gimmicks. Some will say Texas didn't necessarily overachieve in 2023, but by simply achieving, the Longhorns could reach goals they haven't neared in some time.
Runner up: Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State (9-3)
There are several good options here, including Oklahoma's Brent Venables, whose team regained its swagger in Year 2, and West Virginia's Neal Brown, who went 8-4 with a team picked to finish last in the preseason media poll. But I'm going with Gundy, whose team seemingly bottomed out after a 33-7 loss to South Alabama in Week 2. Although Oklahoma State would lose its next game to Iowa State, Gundy pared down his roster and saw the Pokes win seven of their final eight games to reach the Big 12 championship game. Gundy rode with a quarterback (Alan Bowman) who had barely played since 2020, and found a superstar in running back Ollie Gordon II. Oklahoma State won five one-score games, including a 27-24 triumph against Oklahoma in the final scheduled Bedlam game.
Coordinator shoutout: Kansas OC Andy Kotelnicki continues to impress with his creative playcalling and flexibility, especially after the team's fluctuation at quarterback. The Jayhawks had standout Jalon Daniels on the field for only three games, but Kotenicki continued to find ways to move the ball with talented backup Jason Bean and even third-stringer Cole Ballard. Texas DC Pete Kwiatkowski, Oklahoma OC Jeff Lebby and Kansas State OC Collin Klein also merit mentions here.
Big Ten
Coach of the Year: David Braun, Northwestern (7-5)
This summer, Braun took over a difficult situation at Northwestern, which abruptly fired longtime coach and decorated ex-player Pat Fitzgerald on July 10 because of hazing allegations within the program. The team had bottomed out in Fitzgerald's final two years, winning just one game in 2022 despite a top-15 NFL draft pick at left tackle (Peter Skoronski) and three other players who were drafted in April. Less than two months before the season's start, Braun, who had never worked at a Power 5 program before Fitzgerald hired him as defensive coordinator in January, was tasked with bringing together a team angered by Fitzgerald's firing.
After a bumpy start, Northwestern not only got on track but started playing its best football since 2020, when it finished No. 10 nationally. Braun, who remained the defensive playcaller, dramatically improved a unit that had cratered under his predecessor. The offense overcame the midseason loss of starting quarterback Ben Bryant to produce just enough. Braun, 38, became the first Northwestern coach to win at least five games in his first season since Walter McCornack in 1903. Northwestern won six more games than last season, the biggest year-over-year improvement in the FBS this season. The program faces some challenges ahead -- it won't play a true home game in 2024 or 2025 as Ryan Field gets rebuilt -- but Braun has united the players during a difficult time.
Runner up: Kirk Ferentz, Iowa (10-2)
Ferentz coached Iowa to 10 wins and a West Division title despite several obstacles along the way (some self-created). The Hawkeyes endured key injuries -- quarterback Cade McNamara, tight ends Luke Lachey and Erick All, cornerback/returner Cooper DeJean -- especially on an offense that already had significant limitations. The low-scoring saga around Ferentz's son and offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz, who Iowa announced will not return in 2024, added to a distinct and emotional year for 68-year-old Kirk Ferentz. But Iowa pushed through to record its third 10-win season since 2019.
Coordinator shoutout: There are many good options, but Iowa DC Phil Parker, Michigan OC Sherrone Moore, Penn State DC Manny Diaz and Ohio State DC Jim Knowles all stood out. Parker once again produced a defense that operated with almost no margin for error, because of the Hawkeyes struggles on offense, and produced takeaways, pressures and big stops. Moore deftly managed Michigan during coach Jim Harbaugh's suspension and orchestrated a power-heavy offense that once again shined in the run game. Diaz, the former Miami coach, oversaw a talented Penn State defense that smothered the run most of the season. Knowles simplified his scheme and saw Ohio State rise into the top five nationally in almost every key category.
Pac-12
Coach of the Year: Jedd Fisch, Arizona (9-3)
The Pac-12 provided the toughest choice in its final year of existence. Kalen DeBoer continued to look like the best hire of the historic post-2021 coaching carousel, as Washington advanced to its first league title game since 2017. But the pick here is Fisch, who transformed a downtrodden Power 5 program into a legitimate top-15 team this fall. Fisch, who went 1-11 in his first season at Arizona, guided the team to its best season since 2014, when the Wildcats played in the league title game.
A hire who generated some skepticism at the time, Fisch revived an Arizona program that slipped significantly under predecessor Kevin Sumlin. After a 3-3 start that included two overtime defeats and a 7-point loss to Washington, Arizona won its final six games, taking down Oregon State, UCLA and Utah, the two-time defending Pac-12 champion. Freshman quarterback Noah Fifita's midseason emergence galvanized Arizona, which made significant improvements on defense to become arguably the nation's best three-loss team.
Runner-up: Kalen DeBoer, Washington (12-0)
Washington entered the season with national title aspirations but still had to navigate a league pegged as the nation's deepest and toughest. The Huskies became the first team to go 9-0 in Pac-12 play, and DeBoer continued to establish himself as one of the nation's best big-game coaches. He's 8-0 at Washington against AP Top 25 opponents, and guided the Huskies to road wins over Oregon State, Arizona and USC. Washington is 4-0 in rivalry games (Oregon and Washington State) under DeBoer, whose offense continued to lead the nation in passing.
Coordinator shoutout: The Pac-12 returned a historically accomplished quarterback group, but its defensive coordinators really shined this season. The defense of UCLA's D'Anton Lynn, the 34-year-old in his first season with the Bruins, improved from 89th in points allowed last season to 16th. Arizona's Johnny Nansen shaped a playmaking group, while Oregon's Tosh Lupoi oversaw a unit that swarmed ball-carriers and flummoxed opponents with multiple looks. Oregon State's Trent Bray and Washington's William Inge also deserve recognition. Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein did an excellent job in his first season, taking over for Kenny Dillingham.
SEC
Coach of the Year: Eliah Drinkwitz, Missouri (10-2)
Drinkwitz entered his fourth season at Missouri in an interesting spot, with a 17-19 overall record and a small contract extension from late 2022. Still, he had not generated the offensive surge Missouri hired him for, and worked for an athletic director (Desiree Reed-Francois) who had not hired him. Drinkwitz responded by producing his most complete team as a head coach. The offense took a significant step forward behind quarterback Brady Cook, as wide receiver Luther Burden III and running back Cody Schrader both became stars. Coordinator Blake Baker's defense showed up in big spots and produced its own set of stars, like cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine, as Missouri notched its first 10-win season since 2014.
After uneven results in his first three seasons, Drinkwitz saw his team win in different ways, against one of the nation's tougher schedules, as the Tigers went 4-0 in one-score games. No team gave No. 1 Georgia a better test than Missouri, which led the Bulldogs early in the third quarter. Missouri led the FBS in red zone offense and ranks 16th in passing efficiency.
Runner-up: Kirby Smart, Georgia (12-0)
Smart continued Georgia's historic run with another perfect regular season, culminating with the team's 29th consecutive win, the most ever by an SEC team. The Bulldogs have won 27 consecutive conference games, tying Alabama (1976-1980) for the longest win streak in SEC history. Despite a quarterback change, several key NFL departures and some big injury losses, Georgia remained on autopilot, winning all but two games by two scores or more.
Coordinator shoutout: Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo did an excellent job with first-year starting quarterback Carson Beck, who blossomed into one of the nation's most efficient passers. The Bulldogs, who ranked fifth nationally in scoring last season, didn't fall off much at all, currently ranking eighth. LSU offensive coordinator Mike Debrock oversaw a unit -- and a quarterback in Jayden Daniels -- that improved significantly. Missouri's Baker also is worth mentioning here.
AAC
Coach of the Year: Willie Fritz, Tulane (11-1)
Tulane was picked to repeat as AAC champion, but following up a 12-win season that culminated with a Cotton Bowl championship and a No. 9 finish wouldn't be easy. Consider: After the Green Wave won 12 games in 1998, they would win no more than eight games in any season until last fall. Fritz kept the pedal down as Tulane showed great balance with the league's top run defense and record-setting quarterback Michael Pratt. The Green Wave can earn a second consecutive New Year's Six bowl berth by defending their league title against SMU.
Runner-up: Rhett Lashlee, SMU (10-2)
Lashlee inherited a strong program from Sonny Dykes, but SMU had never reached the AAC title game and last went unbeaten in league play in 1982 as a member of the Southwest Conference. The Mustangs ended that drought in dominant fashion, outscoring their eight league opponents by an average of 28.9 points per game. SMU continued to excel on offense, Lashlee's forte throughout his coaching career, but the team also made big improvement on defense, rising to 13th nationally in points allowed.
Conference USA
Coach of the Year: Jerry Kill, New Mexico State (10-2)
Kill has continued one of the more distinct and resilient stories in college coaching, guiding New Mexico State to 10 wins and the C-USA championship game in just his second season. The Aggies clobbered Auburn on Nov. 18 for their first-ever win against an SEC opponent. After early losses to both UMass and Hawai'i, NMSU won its final eight regular-season games. New Mexico State had only one other season of double-digit wins, back in 1960, and won five home games for the first time since 2002. Kill, who has overcome several health issues during the past 20 years, continues to show he can win at any program, given the opportunity.
Runner-up: Jamey Chadwell, Liberty (12-0)
Like Brohm at Louisville, Liberty's hire of Chadwell looked great at first and has proven to be even better. The Flames, who had leveled off after a 10-1 season under Hugh Freeze in 2020, blitzed through their first season in Conference USA, outscoring their league opponents 305-174 and breaking the school's single-season wins record. Players like quarterback Kaidon Salter and running back Quinton Cooley blossomed in Chadwell's offense, while Tyren Dupree led a solid defense. Liberty leads the nation in rushing (295.4 ypg) and set a team record with 12 consecutive wins.
MAC
Coach of the Year: Jason Candle, Toledo (11-1)
Candle returned the MAC's best team but still took things to another level, finishing with 11 consecutive wins after a heartbreaking loss at Illinois in the opener. Toledo recorded its longest win streak since 1971 and went 8-0 in the MAC for the first time in team history. Dequan Finn and Peny Boone formed one of the nation's top backfields. The Rockets won games in different ways, using defense to outlast Ball State and Miami (Ohio), and offense to mount a record comeback against rival Bowling Green.
Runner-up: Chuck Martin, Miami of Ohio (10-2)
Martin put together his best record at Miami in his 10th year with the program, leading the team to its first 10-win season since 2010. The RedHawks went 6-1 in road games after dropping their opener at the other Miami, and beat rival Cincinnati for the first time since 2005. Despite losing record-setting quarterback Brett Gabbert, Miami won its final four games and trailed in conference play for only 80 out of a possible 480 minutes. The RedHawks allowed only 86 points in eight league games. They face Toledo on Friday night, aiming for their first league title since 2019.
Mountain West
Coach of the Year: Barry Odom, UNLV (9-3)
No one wins at UNLV, or so we thought. A Rebels program that had won more than seven games just once since 1984 surged under Odom, a first-year coach from the SEC. UNLV recorded its first nine-win season since 1984 and also won four or more road games for the first time in the same span. Odom's takeaway-driven defense helped the team's improvement, but the offense, under the direction of coordinator Brennan Marion, ultimately led the way with a 51.1% third-down conversion rate and 36 rushing touchdowns. UNLV scored 40 points or more in four straight games for the first time in team history and scored at least 24 points in 11 straight games for the first time since moving to Division I in 1978.
Runner-up: Brent Brennan, San José State (7-5)
I certainly want to recognize Boise State interim coach Spencer Danielson, who helped the Broncos reach the league title game following Andy Avalos' firing. But Brennan engineered a remarkable turnaround after a 1-5 start that generated some hot-seat chatter around him. San José State won its final six games, including its most lopsided win over Fresno State since 1990 and a road win over UNLV that clinched the team's first consecutive winning seasons since 1991 and 1992. Brennan is the first San José State coach to lead three teams to bowl games, and the first to make bowl games in three of four seasons.
Sun Belt
Coach of the Year: Curt Cignetti, James Madison (11-1)
After guiding James Madison through a seamless transition to the FBS, Cignetti continued to make an impact in the Sun Belt, guiding the Dukes to another East Division championship (they aren't eligible to play for a league title as a transitioning FBS program). After winning five one-score games, the Dukes won their final three games by an average of 36 points. JMU led the nation in both rushing defense and tackles for loss per game, and had a top-20 scoring offense and scoring defense. Cignetti, who helped JMU to an FCS national title game in 2019, already has the team positioned to be among the best in the Group of 5 for years to come.
Runner-up: Jon Sumrall, Troy (10-2)
Troy lost 10 starters from a team that won 12 games and a Sun Belt title in Sumrall's first season, including NCAA career tackles leader Carlton Martial. After a 1-2 start to this fall, the Trojans settled into a very familiar pattern, riding their defense and run game -- led by Kimani Vidal -- to another 10-win season and will host the league title game Saturday against Appalachian State. Sumrall has led Troy to consecutive 10-win seasons for the first time since 1999 and 2000, and a 12-0 mark against Sun Belt West Division foes. The Trojans outscored their final eight opponents 254-78.