Fansided

Ranking The Top Ten Offensive Coaches in College Football

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Jan 1, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn talks with the offense in the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers in the 2015 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn talks with the offense in the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers in the 2015 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Baylor Bears head coach Art Briles before the game against the Michigan State Spartans in the 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Baylor Bears head coach Art Briles before the game against the Michigan State Spartans in the 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

It’s hard to understate the turnaround Art Briles has orchestrated at Baylor, and it’s even more difficult to underestimate the role of Briles’ explosive offense in the rebuilding process.

After a 20-year career as a high school football coach, Briles made the jump to Texas Tech as the running backs coach on Air Raid icon Mike Leach’s staff. Following three seasons with the Red Raiders, Briles was hired as the head coach at Houston. Five seasons, four bowl games and 34 wins later, he jumped to Baylor.

In his first two years in Waco, Briles led the Bears to back-to-back 4-8 seasons that offered little evidence he would put an end the two decades of futility the program had suffered prior to his arrival. However, with a breakout 7-6 season in 2010, the Bears made it to a bowl game for the first time since 1994.

The next season, the Bears won ten games, set or tied 108 school records, finished second nationally in total offense (587.1 yards per game) and quarterback Robert Griffin III won the Heisman Trophy.

In 2013, with the strength of the nation’s best offense (52.4 points and 618 yards per game), Baylor won the Big 12 –the first outright conference title for the program since the 1980 season – and set or tied another 110 school records. Last year Baylor led the country with 48.2 points and 581 yards per contest and won the conference title again.

Baylor enters 2015 without Phillip Montgomery, who became the head coach at Tulsa after serving as offensive coordinator for Briles from 2012-2014 and co-coordinator dating back to the 2007 season. But make no mistake, this is Briles’ offense, and the Bears will be just fine.

Plus, the head coach is turning to a familiar name – his son Kendal – to take over the OC role next season. In time, the younger Briles may find his way on this list.

Next: Paul Johnson

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