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Dennis Dodd
SportsLine.com Senior Writer

50 most relevant people in college football

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Over the course of the week, culminating with No. 1 on July 19, we will reveal (Trading Spaces-style) the top 50 Most Relevant Persons this year in college football.

Top 50
Nos. 2-10
Nos. 11-20
Nos. 21-30
Nos. 31-40
Nos. 41-50

This isn't necessarily about who is most popular or most powerful. It's the 50 people that will have the biggest impact on the 2004 season.

At least one player and a coach on our list might never see the field this year. (No hints. We'll let you figure it out.)

There are also the usual suspects. Consider the list a little something you can take to the pool to pass the time. Sun blockers meets pass blockers. We welcome your feedback along the way. Not that you'll need any prodding. Please, send us your lists.

Nos. 20-11
20. Tyrone Willingham, Notre Dame Coach
Tyrone Willingham
Ty's condescending attitude has turned off a lot of media and some of the Irish. He can act that way when he wins 10 games, but 5-7 isn't exactly a foundation for arrogance. Unless the bottom falls out (which it could this year), Willingham probably has two years left to make a big splash. Last year was a disaster. There were key transfers that left Notre Dame thin. Brady Quinn was forced to grow up quickly as a freshman quarterback. The walls seem to be closing in. ND is one of only two independents left in the country. The schedule continues to be brutal, while access to the BCS seems to get further and further away. Going on three years with the West Coast offense, the Irish still don't get it. Four of the first five are at home, which is huge, but it's almost imperative that the Irish win the opener against Michigan on Sept. 11.
19. Scott Cowen, Tulane President
Scott Cowen
Cowen's work is pretty much done. But a year ago, he was the equivalent of that guy who had the stones to stand in front of Chinese tanks during Tiananmen Square. The disenfranchised non-BCS football schools found their leader in Cowen, who threatened legal action if they didn't get a piece of the pie. Backed by the expertise of Tulane sports law expert Gary Roberts, Cowen presented a compelling argument for inclusion that reached the steps of Congress. He rattled enough cages that a fifth BCS bowl was added in February. That virtually assured the best non-BCS team will at least get a share of the major bowl money. Cowen's Boss Tweed attitude (check out the monogrammed cuffs) rubbed some folks the wrong way. Too bad. The little guys were pushed around too long. It's about time they had a champion.
18. Mike Slive, SEC Commissioner
Mike Slive
The new sheriff in town has drawn his guns. The former NCAA enforcement officer has done what no other SEC commissioner could do -- clean up the league. Slive, barely into his third year, is at least trying to change the SEC's history of cheating. A task force has been formed with the expressed goal of having all 12 teams off probation by 2007. If the SEC was known first for its athletic excellence over the years, its dirty laundry came in a close second. The so-called "Fulmer Rule" requires schools to follow a strict protocol if they suspect another league school of cheating. "This is the first time in the history of the league that we've all come together in the process, looked each other in the eye and acknowledged the issues we've had," Slive said. "We don't want them to happen anymore." Football will continue to be great in the SEC. Whether rivals can begin to look each other in eye, well, check with the sheriff.
17. Bob Stoops, Oklahoma Coach
Kevin O'Malley
The leader of the reigning first family of college football. Brother Mike is the head coach at Arizona (with brother Mark as defensive coordinator). Another brother, Ron, is a coach in their hometown of Youngstown, Ohio. Oklahoma has ravaged teams in the 21st century with its attack-style offense and defense. It will be interesting to see how the dominant program of the past five years reacts to two season-ending losses that cost it first the Big 12 title and then the national championship.
16. Darren Sproles, Kansas State Running Back
Darren Sproles
The nation's leading rusher (1,986 yards) returns for a shot at the school's first Heisman. A quiet, unassuming Kansan, he lost his mother to cancer during the offseason much like Larry Fitzgerald did before the 2003 season. Short in stature (5-7), Sproles is part of the next generation of running backs who literally hide behind their offensive linemen. What sets him apart is his ability to stick his nose into the line or use his speed to run around end. If K-State is going to defend its Big 12 title, Sproles will have to carry the Wildcats.
15. Mike Tranghese, Big East Commissioner
Mike Tranghese
In an age when administrators are getting more and more corporate, Tranghese is still the people's commissioner. He stood up at the annual Football Writers Association of America breakfast before the Sugar Bowl and admitted the BCS had failed badly. We knew that, but to hear a BCS commissioner say it was refreshing. Tranghese earns a high place on this list for basically creating Big East basketball along with Dave Gavitt. How does that relate to football? Tranghese is a power broker who gets things done. In one year, he got the Big East off a respirator and kept the league viable in the BCS after the ACC expansion. South Florida, Cincinnati and Louisville were quickly added in football. Basketball now is stronger than ever. Earlier this year, the Big East kept its automatic BCS berth. Considering what happened to his conference, Tranghese deserves some kind of comeback player of the year award.
14. Pete Carroll, USC Coach
Pete Carroll
The perfect coach with the perfect staff at the perfect school makes the perfect storm. Carroll looks like he is ready to rule Los Angeles, the Pac-10 and college football for years to come after sharing a national championship last year. The formula is a simple one: Round up all the best talent in Southern California with work ethic, charisma and charm. Then go out on Saturday and beat the heck out of the opponent. The Trojans are tougher than they've been in years, particularly on defense. Nothing is going to change for the foreseeable future. In the pantheon of USC greats, there are McKay, Robinson and now Carroll.
13. Nick Saban, LSU Coach
Nick Saban
It seemed odd five years ago when LSU's private plane left a Lansing, Mich., airport carrying Saban away. The self-described "hillbilly from West Virginia" who made his fame in the Rust Belt was leaving for the Deep South. Turns out, it was the ride of his life. The driven Saban found the laid-back, friendly South to his liking. LSU gave him the talent and budget he needed to build a powerhouse. He won two of the past three SEC titles and half a national championship with a simple formula: Play rabid defense and land the best players in Louisiana. The excellence is not going to stop anytime soon. Friends say Saban has never looked so content. A contract extension (averaging $2.6 million per year) helps. So does the love of Tiger Nation. As long as Saban is around, LSU will be a factor in the SEC and nationally.
12. John Swofford, ACC Commissioner
John Swofford
There are 250 million reasons or so why Swofford felt compelled to rip apart college football in the past year. All of them are the rights fees he is getting (in dollars) for the ACC's television deals. Swofford saw his league falling behind as the Big 12, Big Ten and SEC commanded the highest rights fees. He wanted Miami first and foremost, but the expansion was botched like a bad break-in. Alarms went off, the cops showed up (lawsuits) and it seems like everybody except ACC was upset. The new ACC starts awkwardly this year with 11 teams (Miami, Florida State come in) and no championship game. The expansion was handled badly, but who cares? Swofford and his schools got their money. Now we'll see how the ACC fits in competitively. The SEC and Big 12 currently rule college football. Will that change?.
11. Willie Williams, Miami Recruit
Willie Williams
Meet the poster child for recruiting excess. The nation's best prep linebacker wrote a revealing recruiting diary for the Miami Herald before trashing a Gainesville hotel during a January recruiting trip. It got so bad that Williams recently was put on probation for violating probation. It looks bad that Miami is still interested in a kid who has been arrested 12 times. It's almost arrogant that president Donna Shalala believes Miami can be Williams' cocoon and rehabilitator all at once. A university and football program can't cure 18 years of behavior. Hey, but if Williams is ultimately admitted, the Hurricanes will have a heck of a linebacking crew. Isn't that what is most important?

Coming Friday: Nos. 10 through 2.
Coming Monday: No. 1 Most Relevant

About Dennis Dodd
author photoAnyone in need of a credential from all the BCS title games? Dennis Dodd has them. In three decades in the business, he's covered everything from the Olympics to Stanley Cup to conference realignment. Just get him on campus in a press box in the fall. His heart lies with college football.
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