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College Football: Ranking 10 best head coaches from past 5 seasons

By Ryan Kay

Nick Saban, Alabama Crimson Tide, Lincoln Riley, Oklahoma Sooners, Dabo Swinney, Clemson Tigers, Brian Kelly, Notre Dame Fighting Irish (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Nick Saban, Alabama Crimson Tide, Lincoln Riley, Oklahoma Sooners, Dabo Swinney, Clemson Tigers, Brian Kelly, Notre Dame Fighting Irish (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 28: Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions leads his team against the Memphis Tigers in the second half of the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 28: Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions leads his team against the Memphis Tigers in the second half of the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

9. (Tied) James Franklin (Penn State)

Tied with Clay Helton with 110 points is James Franklin.

In Franklin’s second year at the helm of the Penn State program, the Nittany Lions could be simply described as having an ‘OK’ season. Penn State lost its season opener to Temple but won its next five games and seven of its next eight after the disappointing loss to the Owls. However, the Nittany Lions lost their last four games of the season giving them a 7-6 record.

Things did change in a big way the following season.

In 2016, after splitting their first four games of the season, the Nittany Lions won their next nine games. Franklin and Penn State not only won a share of the Big Ten East title but they also defeated Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship Game. He would be successful on the football field again the following season.

In 2017, Penn State won its first seven games of the season and was ranked No. 2 in the country. The Nittany Lions lost a very close game at Ohio State by a point and then lost at Michigan State by only three. Franklin and his team would win their last four games, including beating Washington in the Fiesta Bowl. That season, Penn State was only four combined points away from being undefeated.

The following season was a little bit of a letdown for Franklin as the Nittany Lions had won 11 games back-to-back the previous two years. Penn State did win nine games but three of its four losses were by four or fewer points.

The 2019 season was considered a success for Franklin as Penn State won its first eight games and was ranked No. 4 in the nation. The Nittany Lions would end the season with 11 victories as they did in 2016 and 2017, including a Cotton Bowl win.

Franklin looks to continue to compete with Ohio State in the Big Ten East.

Point breakdown for Franklin

  • 0 National Championships: 0 points
  • 0 College Football Playoff appearances: 0 points
  • 1 regular-season conference title: 30 points
  • 1 division title: 20 points
  • 2 bowl wins: 20 points
  • 5 bowl appearances: 25 points
  • 3 seasons with 10 or more wins: 15 points

Total coaching points: 110

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