At the top are your usual contenders – Nick Saban, Kirby Smart, Dabo Swinney.
But Georgia’s Smart, despite winning the national title, checked in at No. 2 with Alabama’s Saban at No. 1.
If you ask me, CBS Sports got it right. Yes, these are rankings for the 2022 season, so of course it is a “what have you done for me lately” mentality regarding this list. But what Saban did last year was plenty impressive. Sure, Georgia won the big one, but Saban and the Tide also beat us in the SEC title game. Plus, he’s Saban. He’s No. 1 until he retires and Georgia fans should have no issues with having the No. 2 head coach in America for the time being.
Here’s a look at CBS Sports’ top-ten head coaches for 2022, with a look at how each coach did last year and a bit of info on their career accomplishments.
Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State
Syndication: The Oklahoman
2021: 12-2
Career: 1x Big 12 champion, 149 career wins, 11-5 in bowl games
Jim Harbaugh, Michigan
Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
2021: 12-2, Big Ten champions, CFP appearance
Career at Michigan: 2× Big Ten East Division champion, 1x Big Ten champion, 1 CFP appearance
Kyle Whittingham, Utah
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
2021: 10-4, Pac-12 title
Career: 4x Pac-12 South Division champion, 1x Pac-12 champion
Brian Kelly, LSU
Patrick Dennis-USA TODAY Sports
2021 Notre Dame record: 11-2
Career: 2 CFP appearances, 1 BCS national title appearance
Ryan Day, Ohio State
Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch
2021: 11-2
Career: 2x Big Ten champion, 2 CFP appearances
Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
2021: 8-4
Career: 1x national champion (FSU), 3x ACC champion (FSU)
Lincoln Riley, USC
Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
2021 (Oklahoma): 11-2
Career: 4x Big 12 champion, 3 CFP appearances
Dabo Swinney, Clemson
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
2021: 10-3
Career: 2x national champion, 7x ACC champion
Kirby Smart, Georgia
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Story continues
2021: 14-1, national champions
Career: 4x SEC East…