Picking college football’s best head coaching jobs by conference
By John Scimeca
Sun Belt: Appalachian State
It’s hard to deny that the leading the Mountaineers is the best head coaching job in the Sun Belt. Scott Satterfield cashed in with a move to Louisville after four straight seasons of nine or more wins. A year later, Eliah Drinkwitz left to Missouri after a 12-1 pre-bowl record in 2019.
Now, former Mountaineer player Shawn Clark will hope to keep things running for a program that’s won four straight conference titles in a row — a feat matched only by Clemson and Oklahoma.
Mid-American: Toledo
The Rockets earn the distinction as the MAC’s best head coaching job for several reasons. Toledo, Ohio, is nestled between the metro areas of Cleveland and Detroit (as recruiting sources) and sits squarely on the border of Ohio and Michigan.
On the field, Toledo hasn’t had a losing season since 2009 and has won nine or more games 12 times since 1995. They’ve won the MAC four times in that same 25-year span.
Lastly, head coach Jason Candle is the highest-paid head coach in the MAC, earning $1.15 million per year. Several other Toledo coaches have used the Rockets as a successful launching spot into power conference jobs, such as Gary Pinkel to Missouri and Matt Campbell to Iowa State.