In anticipation of the 2023 college football season, former Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Aaron Murray recently shared his rankings of the top-five coaches in the nation.
While it’s a known fact that the top two coaches in America currently are Kirby Smart and Nick Saban, the question remains: who claims the top spot? On one side, there’s Saban, widely regarded as the greatest college football coach of all time. On the other side, Smart boasts back-to-back national championships.
What stands out the most to me is the absence of Michigan‘s Jim Harbaugh from Murray’s list. Harbaugh has secured two consecutive appearances in the College Football Playoff, yet fell short in the semifinals on both occasions.
Here’s a look Murray’s rankings of the top-five college football coaches in America for the upcoming season, along with their respective 2023 national title odds, courtesy of FanDuel:
5
Lincoln Riley, USC
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
What Murray said:
“He’s been one of the best offensive minds in college football from what he did at Oklahoma to year one at USC. He’s absolutely crushed the transfer portal as well. I think he might have a chance to finally get that national championship this season.”
2022 record: 11-3, Pac-12 runner-ups
2023 national title odds: +1,400
Get more USC news, analysis, and opinions on Trojans Wire
4
Dabo Swinney, Clemson
Syndication: The Greenville News
What Murray said:
“I think they’re going to be a good team this year, but you got to throw the guy on the guy on the list. He’s won multiple national championships, has been the best team in the ACC for about a decade now.”
2022 record: 11-3, ACC champions
2023 national title odds: +1,600
Get more Clemson news, analysis, and opinions on Clemson Wire
3
Brian Kelly, LSU
(Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
What Murray said:
“Just has to win a national championship. He is now at a place where he can legitimately do that. Won the SEC West in only year one, has a better roster this year. They will be contenders once again. One of the best coaches in America.”
2022 record: 10-4, SEC West champions
National title odds: +1,400
Get more LSU news, analysis, and opinions on LSU Tigers Wire
2
Nick Saban, Alabama
Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
What Murray said:
“The greatest coach of all-time, just not right now. This is going to be a challenge for him this year. Doesn’t have the star playmakers all over the place, but what a deep football team as always. Has recruited extremely well. It’s Nick Saban, of course he’s going to be No. 2 on this list.”
2022 record: 11-2
National title odds: +600
Get more Alabama news, analysis, and opinions on Roll Tide Wire
1
Kirby Smart, Georgia
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
What Murray said:
“As of right now today, Kirby Smart is the best football coach in America. There’s no 1A, 1B, none of that nonsense. Recruiting incredibly, winning championships. He is now set the bar of what it means to be a championship coach.”
2022 record: 15-0, national champions
National title odds: +220
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