College Football Bowls 2016: 10 best big game head coaches
By John Buhler
![Nov 5, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban yells from the sideline after a penalty during the second quarter of a game against the LSU Tigers at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports Nov 5, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban yells from the sideline after a penalty during the second quarter of a game against the LSU Tigers at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/94bcdd17cb264320df12935a20d37158ddc56bf9713dfa2a77405cbb04e813f3.jpg)
The No. 4 Washington Huskies might be outmanned by the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide in the Peach Bowl, but don’t think for a second the Huskies will be outcoached. Washington has its new Don James in charge in Seattle in Chris Petersen. This guy is fantastic.
Petersen previously dominated the mid-major level while with the Boise State Broncos. As a college head coach, Petersen has gone 119-25 overall, 73-17 in conference play, and has won six conference championships at two stops.
Petersen won Washington its first Pac-10/12 Championship since Rick Neuheisel did it back in 2000. Part of that is because Petersen is a big time, big game head coach. He has gone 6-3 in his nine bowl games to date.
While he’s bound to be 6-4 in bowl games after facing Alabama in the Peach Bowl in Atlanta, should he beat Nick Saban, that only adds to Petersen’s growing legacy as a head coach. Washington has a chance to be a national power once again with Petersen at the helm in Seattle.