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College football coach rankings: Has Dabo Swinney officially surpassed Nick Saban?

By Phil Poling

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers meets head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide at mid-field after his 44-16 win in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers meets head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide at mid-field after his 44-16 win in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 26: Washington Huskies head coach Chris Petersen celebrates a goal line stand against the California Golden Bears during the first half of a college football game at Husky Stadium on September 26, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. California went on to win 30-24. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 26: Washington Huskies head coach Chris Petersen celebrates a goal line stand against the California Golden Bears during the first half of a college football game at Husky Stadium on September 26, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. California went on to win 30-24. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Chris Petersen, Washington

Preparing for his 15th season as a head coach, Washington’s Chris Petersen is one of college football’s elite talents. He got his start at Boise State in 2006 and became one of four rookie head coaches to win 13 games; Petersen-coached teams have won double-digit games nine seasons since.

The Washington Huskies have enjoyed Petersen’s presence on the sidelines since 2014. He’s led them to a 47-21 record, including five bowl appearances and the College Football Playoff in 2016. But the success in the postseason hasn’t been there. Petersen’s coached the Huskies to a bowl game every season, but they’re just 1-5 in postseason play, with the lone win coming in his second season.

Pac-12 success propels Petersen toward the top of this list, though, as he’s coached the Huskies to two conference titles in the last three seasons. Other conference members don’t appear to be maximizing their talents, but Petersen seems fairly comfortable at Washington. It took a couple of years to figure out the best approach to acquire talent, but back-to-back No. 16 recruiting classes have the Huskies in prime position to contend for the next couple years.

Petersen’s overall winning percentage of .808 (139-33) ranks best among active college football coaches. Yes, better than Saban and Swinney. Washington fans undoubtedly crave a national championship, though. Is Petersen the one who’ll deliver?