Athlon Sports: Saban the best in 2013 coaching class
Nick Saban got more recognition for his great coaching ability (although we doubt he’ll care!) from Athlon Sports, who said he was the best coach in the 2013 class of 125 college football coaches.
It espoused: “Saban is without question the best coach in college football. He started his career as a head coach in 1990 with Toledo, then spent the next four seasons as the defensive coordinator with the Cleveland Browns. In 1995, Saban was hired as Michigan State’s head coach and guided the Spartans to a 34-24-1 record under his watch. Saban left East Lansing for Baton Rouge and LSU in 2000 and led the Tigers to a 48-16 record in five years, including a national championship in 2003. Saban had a two-year stint with the Dolphins but jumped at the opportunity to lead Alabama in 2007. After a 7-6 record in his first season, Saban is 61-7 in his last five years with the Crimson Tide, which includes three national championships. At 61 years old, Saban is still at the top of his game and should have Alabama in the mix for a SEC and national title every year he is on the sidelines.”
Steve Spurrier (South Carolina) – 5th
Mark Richt (Georgia) – 11th
Kevin Sumlin (Texas A&M) – 16th
James Franklin (Vanderbilt) – 17th
Dan Mullen (Mississippi State) – 23rd
Les Miles (LSU ) – 24th
Bret Bielema (Wisconsin) – 25th
Hugh Freeze (Ole Miss) – 30th
Will Muschamp (Florida) – 36th
Butch Jones (Tennessee) – 41st
Gary Pinkel (Missouri) – 42nd
Gus Malzahn (Auburn) – 53rd
Mark Stoops (Kentucky) – 71st