Top 10 College Football Coaches to Watch in 2024

College football is more than a game, it's tradition, culture, and life for many.  Coaches who take young athletes and turn them into strong teams are at the heart of this energetic sport. These coaches are not just tacticians and strategists but also mentors and leaders, affecting every game's dynamics. With that in mind, here are some coaches we're watching as reasons for hope and change entering the 2024 season. We get to discuss the top 10 college football coaches you should watch in 2024, from their careers, coaching philosophies, and what makes these men significant figures in our beautiful sport.

1. Kirby Smart - Georgia Bulldogs

Coaching Background and Accolades

Kirby Smart has transformed the Georgia Bulldogs and led them to consecutive national championships in 2021 and last season. He has amassed a 94-16 record at Georgia, putting him among the most successful coaches in college football in recent times.

Coaching Style and Philosophy

Smart is best known for his defense and attention to detail. He has 55 school alumni drafted by the NFL, including 15 in round one.

Notable Players Developed

Under Smart's leadership, players like Roquan Smith and Jake From have excelled, showing his ability to harness talent.

Predictions for 2024

With a monster recruiting class and what is now the foundation of a powerhouse, Smart should dominate again in SEC play this season and perhaps dot an I or two on his third national championship.

2. Kalen DeBoer - Alabama

Coaching Career and Accomplishments

Replacing the great Nick Saban in Tuscaloosa, Kalen DeBoer has enormous shoes to fill. The change worked as he got Washington to a National Championship game, and that comes in with sky-high expectations for him at Alabama.

Coaching Style and Philosophy

DeBoer features creative play-calling mixed with traditional power football in a balanced offensive attack.

Notable Players Developed

Michael Penix Jr. proves what DeBoer can do with a college quarterback, excelling in his system at Washington.

Predictions for 2024

A central part of DeBoer's Alabama is set to carry forward the tradition it has little threat of losing: All things associated with winning and competing for national titles will remain sacred.

3. Kyle Whittingham - Utah Utes

Key Establishments and Results in Coaching

Not long ago, Whittingham was a fully established veteran for the Utah Utes who had graduated with them through virtually every conference change and consistently led one of the most predictably good programs in college football, filled at that moment with multiple Pac-12 titles.

Coaching Style and Philosophy

Whittingham is a defensive-minded coach who constructs tough, disciplined, mentally/physically strong teams.

Notable Players Developed

Under Whittingham's charge, the likes of Alex Smith and Eric Weddle have thrived, too—a clear indicator that he is capable of coaching NFL-quality talent.

Predictions for 2024

Whittingham will be important in that process as Utah moves into the Big 12 to help smooth over critics of the maneuver and keep his team competitive during a time of turmoil.

4. Mike Norvell - Florida State

Background and Accolades

He has injected some life into the Seminoles program, taking them to an undefeated season in 2023 and a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Coaching Style and Philosophy

His methods combine a dynamic, adaptable offensive system with maximizing the talents of his roster.

Notable Players Developed

This is a guy who looks at what he helped do with Brady White, so cultivation of talent will not be an issue for Mike Norvell.

Predictions for 2024

Norvell's Seminoles are expected to have a top recruiting class and should be among the college football playoff contenders.

5. Steve Sarkisian - Texas Longhorns

Previous Coaching Experience and Successes

During his time at Texas, Sarkisian guided the Longhorns to a dramatic revival that included their first Big 12 title in 14 years and reaching the CFP for the national championship game in January.

Coaching Style and Philosophy

Sarkisian brings offensive creativity forged through years coaching under guys like Nick Saban and quarterback development to a UCLA program that has dragged itself into the gutter lately, with six straight losses after opening 6-2 in 2007.

Notable Players Developed

He's developed some good players, like sophomore running back Bijan Robinson from Tucson.

Predictions for 2024

Sarkisian holds the key to how well-positioned Texas can become in its move to the SEC.

6. Lance Leipold - Kansas Jayhawks

Accomplishments and Coaching Career

What Leipold has done at Kansas in such a short time is miraculous, taking one of college football's worst teams and turning it into a force that went 9-4 this past season.

Coaching Style and Philosophy

Leipold is a builder of winners through culture, built on discipline and teamwork.

Notable Players Developed

He has shown the capacity to grow players, as seen in Kansas' recent resurgence, during which several have recorded career bests.

Predictions for 2024

While Kansas will lose some key staffers, Leipold's history shows he'll find a way to keep the Jayhawks in contention.

7. Lincoln Riley - USC Trojans

Coaching Experience and Accomplishments

Riley has transferred his offensive wizardry to USC, guiding the Trojans back to multiple playoff appearances and renewing relevance.

Coaching Style and Philosophy

Riley offers creative offensive schemes and explosive scoring potential.

Notable Players Developed

He has turned quarterbacks like Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray into Heisman winners.

Predictions for 2024

With Riley at the helm, the Trojans will most likely be among those predicted as national championship contenders.

8. Ryan Day - Ohio State Buckeyes

History of Coaching and Accomplishments

Day kept Ohio State among the nation's elite, leading to several College Football Playoff appearances and Big Ten crowns.

Coaching Style and Philosophy

Operating a balanced spread attack, incorporating an explosive running game with several quick-pass elements.

Notable Players Developed

Players such as Justin Fields have flourished into top NFL prospects under Day.

9. Brian Kelly - LSU Tigers

Coaching History and Accomplishments

Kelly's jump to LSU looks like a good move, as the Tigers have shown dramatic improvement and been competitive in every game this season.

Coaching Style and Philosophy

Kelly is all about discipline and fundamentals; his team is tough and competitive.

Notable Players Developed

They thrive when they play for Kelly, forever known as one of college football's best developers of NFL-ready talent.

Predictions for 2024

Kelly has a fantastic recruiting class and should be better prepared to compete in the SEC for years to come.

10. Luke Fickell - Wisconsin Badgers

Background and Accolades

The Wisconsin program has been turned around by Fickell, taking the Badgers to a New Year's Six bowl game thanks partly to establishing an identity on defense.

Coaching Style and Philosophy

Fickell prefers a tough, grinding style featuring stingy defenses and running offenses.

Notable Players Developed

Fickell has shown a knack for developing players like Desmond Ridder.

Predictions for 2024

He would have a great foundation at Wisconsin, which should make the Badgers competitive in the Big Ten and contend for conference championships.

The 2024 college football season should be great, with these elite head coaches taking their teams into battle. Every coach brings their style of play and themes that will mark the future direction of college football. As it sticks around and continues to develop talent more than enough to compete at the highest level, its mark on the sport will be indelible. Be it through creativity, talent development, or just an iron will to win over all else, these are the head coaches poised for glory in the upcoming season.