Sporting News has unveiled its annual college football head coaching rankings, a comprehensive 1‑138 list that measures the performance of mentors across the Football Bowl Subdivision. The top spots are dominated by coaches who have recently led their teams to national championships, with Curt Cignetti of the Indiana Hoosiers earning the No. 1 position after guiding his squad to the title, followed by Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs at No. 2 and Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes at No. 3.
A Modest Start, A Promising Future
At the lower end of the Power‑4 spectrum, Iowa State’s newly appointed head coach Jimmy Rogers sits at No. 65, a placement that reflects both the challenges and the optimism surrounding his first season with the Cyclones. Rogers arrives after a decorated tenure that includes a national championship at South Dakota State and a stint that took Washington State to a 7‑6 record before he jumped to Ames.
His trajectory suggests that the current ranking may be a temporary plateau. Within the Iowa State program, there is a palpable belief that Rogers will steady the ship and soon push the Cyclones upward in next year’s edition. The coaching staff, players and alumni have voiced confidence that the veteran strategist can translate his proven track record into tangible wins.
The broader landscape of college football remains competitive, with coaches like Smart and Day already anchored near the top after recent championship successes. Yet the dynamic nature of the rankings means that even a modest start can quickly evolve into a steep climb, especially for a program that embraces Rogers’ vision and work ethic.