From legends who've become institutions to up-and-coming superstars with the world there for the taking, these are the 15 coaches who are among the very best, but slightly below the current elite.

All of them have won big things, but each is missing something. Can he win the really big games? Where's the national **** le? How long before all the great things turn into something special at a whole other level?

They're all fantastic, and they're all in the top 25 in our 2026 ranking of the best head coaches in college football going into the season.
Nov 29, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley (right) talks with quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) in the second half against the UCLA Bruins at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
2025 Coach Rank: 10
FBS Record: 89-63 | FBS Win %: 58.6%
No one seems to grasp that it's way harder than it seems to consistently win at Army. 12 seasons in, Monken continues to produce.
- Army 2026 Team Preview
- CFN Preseason Top 10 Head Coaches
2025 Coach Rank: 24
FBS Record: 213-128 | FBS Win %: 62.5%
The head man at Iowa since 1999 - Troy Calhoun (Air Force) and Dabo Swinney (2009) are the only other coaches to be around since before 2013 - he's an institution with over 100 more FBS wins than all but 11 other current head coaches.
- Iowa 2026 Team Preview

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