Mark Richt (University of Miami)
In just his second season in Coral Gables, Richt has the Miami Hurricanes in a great position for a playoff berth. The Canes have their first 10-win season in 14 years and are also looking for their first ever ACC title. The expectations were not this high to begin the season but now as number 3 in the College Football Playoff rankings, Richt has proven that he is one of the strongest coaches in the country by making his teams consistently overachieve every year.
Bill Clark (University of Alabama at Birmingham)
When Head Coach Bill Clark saw his UAB Blazers program get shut down after the 2014 season, there was little to no hope of bringing it back. Fast forward 3 years and Bill Clark has his team bowl eligible for only the second time in school history with an overall record of 7-4 in their return season. The Blazers are also in contention for the Conference USA West race and are drawing national coverage.
Kirby Smart (University of Georgia)
When Kirby Smart left Alabama and came back to his Alma Mater, nobody quite knew how he would handle being a Head Coach. Smart has done well and has led his Georgia Bulldogs team to a great year thus far. The Bulldogs have already clinched their first division title in 5 years and he has his team in the Playoff discussion. Smart has proven his worth as a head coach at the College Football level.
Lincoln Riley (University of Oklahoma)
After taking over for such a successful and legendary coach as Bob Stoops, Riley has burst onto the Head Coaching scene as one of the best young names in the game. In his first ever Head Coaching stint, he has the Sooners right in the middle of Playoff contention and is coaching the Heisman front runner, Baker Mayfield, who is leading a very high powered offense.
Scott Frost (University of Central Florida)
Frost has his UCF Knights playing great football and has an offense that is near unstoppable. With a current record of 10-0 he has his team in a great position to be in a New Year’s Six Bowl Game and himself in a great position to land a high profile Head Coach position next season.
Others to look out for: Brian Kelly (Notre Dame), Gary Patterson (Texas Christian University), Nick Saban (Alabama), and Lane Kiffin (Florida Atlantic University)