College football's 20 best coaches not named Nick Saban

College football’s 20 best coaches not named Nick Saban

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney talks into his AT&T headset during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Clemson Tigers on January 1, 2018, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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SAN DIEGO, CA – DECEMBER 28: Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio celebrates the victory during the Holiday Bowl game between the Washington State Cougars and the Michigan State Spartans on December 28, 2017 at SDCCU Stadium in San Diego, CA. Michigan State defeated Washington State 42-17. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Though the national media likes to get his name wrong more often than not, Mark Dantonio continues to lead his program with an underdog mentality. Michigan State plays with a chip on its shoulder and it’s a direct reflection of its head coach.

That hard-nosed playing style has led to a strong 11-year stretch in the Big Ten, with the exception of the 2016 season when the Spartans surprisingly finished 3-9.

How did Michigan State rebound from that poor campaign? By going 10-3 with a Holiday Bowl win over Washington State despite having one of the youngest teams in the country. The Spartans are young yet again heading into the 2018 season which could end up being Dantonio’s best yet.

If that’s the case, it could mean national title contention for the second, or third, time since he’s taken over in East Lansing. He made the College Football Playoff in 2015 but was shut out by former mentor Nick Saban and Alabama. Dantonio could have his best chance at a national title with his current roster but always seems to do more with less.

Dantonio isn’t the best recruiter in the country, but he has an eye for potential and develops as well as any coach in college football.

That has led to a 100-45 record with Michigan State and 60-30 mark in conference play. He has three conference titles, three division crowns, a 5-5 bowl record and six 10-plus win seasons.