Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech: There are only a handful of coaches who are the program at their school -- Paterno and Bowden come to mind. Counting his time as a player, Beamer is entering his 26th season as a Hokie. If not for him, most folks wouldn't know Virginia Tech from DeVry Tech. With him, the program became an annual top-25 inhabitant and played for a national championship in 1999. Beamer revolutionized special teams play by putting an emphasis on it and using his starters on the special units.
Urban Meyer, Florida: Urban Inc. is the complete package. A master at media relations, recruiting and coaching, Meyer's best years are still ahead of him. Since 2003, Meyer's teams have won three conference titles and a national championship. If it's possible, he is approaching Steve Spurrier's revered status at Florida. Meyer is also one of three coaches on this list -- all from Ohio -- who won a national championship in their second year at their school. Can you name the others?
Les Miles, LSU: You keep waiting for Crazy Les to self combust. The man looks like he is about to burst at any given moment. But there's something to be said for a Michigan Man assimilating into a culture, making all the right calls and winning a national championship in his third season in the SEC. Thanks in part to Pittsburgh, Miles was able to say no to his alma mater. If he ever leaves now it will be for the NFL.
Rich Rodriguez, Michigan: Please, try to keep your attention on the field. That's where Rich Rod should be judged. One of the fathers of the modern spread option, Rodriguez used his offense to win four out of the last five Big East titles. Upsets of Georgia and Oklahoma in BCS bowls helped prop up a conference that was on the brink of collapse. He will use 2008 to reshape Michigan before the Wolverines take off again.
Nick Saban, Alabama: Bow before his greatness. Kiss his national championship ring. Watch him turn around Alabama. That about it? Well, there was that hiccup with the Dolphins but look what it got The Sabanator -- the biggest paycheck in the college game. Saban is about the surest thing going. He will recruit his ass off. He will demand superhuman efforts from his coaches and players. He will win. Big. Just wait, 'Bama.
Bob Stoops, Oklahoma: Stoops was the fourth of four coaches OU employed in the '90s. He is the only one in the new millennium. Something clicked when AD Joe Castiglione took a chance on the hard-working Florida defensive coordinator in 1999. The Stoops brothers are all about defense. Bob, though, has produced one Heisman winner (Jason White) and one runner-up (Adrian Peterson). The result has been a national championship and five Big 12 titles this decade.
Jim Tressel, Ohio State: Tress brought sexy back with the sweater vest, then he kept Michigan down for most of this decade. For that alone, they could build statues of the man in Columbus. The once unknown I-AA coach from Youngstown State has delivered big time: Three national championship berths (one win) since 2002. A recruiting mastermind who has developed a Heisman winner (Troy Smith) and landed his clone (Terrelle Pryor). Until the Big Ten decides to fight back, the Large Eleven is Tress' to dominate.
