Winning national championships is not a birthright in college football, evidenced by only five active coaches with titles. However, after an offseason of major changes across the coaching landscape, parity is coming, and there are several program leaders who could enter the pantheon of championship-winners in the near future.
Factors include career trajectory up to this point, schedule favorability relative to being within striking distance of the College Football Playoff and overall coaching prestige, including but not limited to recruiting expertise and ability to put together an elite staff.
Being able to win it all against the nation’s elite is closely tied to the job as well. Luke Fickell might be a top-10 coach, for instance, but having everything come together at Cincinnati is less likely than, say, Steve Sarkisian’s opportunity at Texas with far more resources.
Here’s look at five coaches capable of winning their first national championship in the next five seasons in ascending order.
