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) /

6 of 21

MIAMI GARDENS, FL – DECEMBER 30: Head coach Paul Chryst of the Wisconsin Badgers cheers during the 2017 Capital One Orange Bowl against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Though he may not be the most exciting interview for reporters, Paul Chryst may just be the most underrated coach in America. When you think of Big Ten head coaches, the first names that come to mind are Urban Meyer, Mark Dantonio, Jim Harbaugh and James Franklin, but Chryst has been quietly putting together a powerhouse in the Big Ten West.

Before you ask, the answer is yes, Chryst is a former Wisconsin player who took over for his alma mater back in 2015 when Gary Andersen departed for Oregon State after replacing Bret Bielema who left for Arkansas.

Bielema had led the Badgers to a successful seven-year run in the Big Ten, winning three straight Big Ten titles and Andersen was 20-7 in two seasons, but Chryst has proven to be the most consistent of the three, going 34-7 in three seasons, 22-4 in conference play and making back-to-back Big Ten title games.

Sure, playing in the Big Ten West as opposed to the loaded East makes it easier on the Badgers, but there aren’t many sure wins in the conference anymore.

Chryst isn’t the best recruiter in the conference, but he’s been getting the job done and doesn’t ask for much attention.