TCU Head Coach Sonny Dykes (12-1)

TCU was unranked coming into the 2022 season and lost their starting quarterback in Week One. That might be too much for some teams, but not Coach Dykes and the Horned Frogs. TCU rattled off twelve straight wins and were a few bad calls away from winning the Big 12 title. He has them in the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history, which is pretty remarkable.

In his first season at TCU, Dykes has coached a Heisman candidate quarterback in Vanilla Vick (Max Duggan). He’s also developed Kendre Miller into a top-five running back in the nation along with turning Quentin Johnston into a top-five wide receiver. I think Dykes is probably the front-runner and for good reason.

Tulane Head Coach Willie Fritz (11-2)

If you didn’t like the Tulane Green Wave this season then you’re not a real college football fan. Fritz has been at Tulane since 2016 and, in that time, only accumulated two winning seasons. Then, it seemed like there was an attitude change within. Teams like Houston and Cincinnati that would traditionally beat up on the Green Wave were getting swallowed by their elite rushing attack. Fritz and the Green Wave went from 2-10 in 2021 to 11-2 in 2022 with an AAC Championship.

UConn Head Coach Jim Mora (6-6)

Some have referred to the Huskies’ head coach as HIM Mora, and I’m all for the nickname. In his first season, he turned UConn from 1-11 to 6-6 and playing in a bowl game. That’s an unheard of turnaround in year one with a new program. Mora also produced a PFF All-American in Christian Haynes, a freshman All-American in Justin Joly, and made Victor Rosa a dominant force in college football on the ground.

UConn picked up massive wins this season against Boston College, Fresno State, and Liberty. In past years, UConn would have gotten absolutely rolled in these matchups. Jim Mora is building something magical in Storrs. The way in which Mora has restored faith in the UConn football community is beautiful. I can now say with pride that I’m a UConn football fan.

Tennessee Head Coach Josh Heupel (11-2)

What Josh Heupel has done in Knoxville is nothing short of amazing. Year after year, I filed Tennessee into the “Texas A&M Fool’s Gold” category because every season there has been a monumental amount of hype built around the Vols that they could never reach. This season, Heupel delivered with one of the biggest wins in program history over Alabama. Heupel had enough foresight to rock with Hendon Hooker and, for a while, he looked like the Heisman front-runner. If Heupel won this award, I’d have no qualms about it.

USC Head Coach Lincoln Riley (11-2)

While I do despise how Riley left Oklahoma, he did throw it back in my face. Even though he couldn’t take home a Pac-12 Championship, winning 11 games is huge. To go with those 11 victories, Riley was able to beat UCLA, Notre Dame, and Oregon State. The rise is even more impressive considering the Trojans went 17-14 the three seasons prior to Riley’s arrival.

Riley’s ability to recruit with an elite offensive mind makes him one of the nation’s most prestigious coaches. Next season looks full of promise as well, since star quarterback Caleb Williams has one more year before he’s able to declare for the NFL Draft.

Georgia Head Coach Kirby Smart (13-0)

It’s tough to not have a hangover season after winning the Natty, and It can be even tougher when you lose half your defense to the first round of the NFL Draft. For Kirby Smart, that wasn’t an issue. There were many people that doubted Georgia could sustain dominance after losing so much, including myself, but they’ve been cruising through the SEC. Smart and the Bulldogs staple win came against Tennessee, who was number one at the time. Smart has this team looking ready for another Natty.