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Dabo Swinney of Clemson stands as the ACC’s top coach entering the 2025 college football season, but the conference features intense competition beyond him and Louisville’s Jeff Brohm. New North Carolina coach Bill Belichick is a wildcard in his first college role, while Syracuse’s Fran Brown is gaining traction after a 10-win debut in 2024. Florida State’s Mike Norvell, however, slips in the rankings after a challenging year.
### How We Ranked the ACC Coaches
Ranking college football coaches is a complex task. We considered multiple factors, not just wins or past achievements. While career success and program performance matter, we also evaluated recruiting prowess, talent development, and program resources. The hierarchy of college football plays a significant role—programs with greater advantages often have an easier path to national contention. We also factored in coaching style (CEO vs. hands-on), staff management, and facilities.
Additionally, we approached the rankings with a hypothetical lens: If starting a program from scratch, which coach would you hire based on their track record and trajectory? Assistant coaches were not considered, and head-to-head wins were excluded from the evaluation.
### ACC Coach Rankings for 2025
*Image: Clemson coach Dabo Swinney at Memorial Stadium, Nov. 4, 2023.*
**1. Dabo Swinney, Clemson**
Swinney’s ACC title and College Football Playoff appearance in 2024 position Clemson as a 2025 national title contender. Despite a slight dip in recent years (no AP Top 25 finish above No. 13 from 2021-23), Swinney’s 180-47 record and two national titles (2016, 2018) cement his elite status. Clemson has won at least nine games annually for 14 straight seasons.
**2. Jeff Brohm, Louisville**
Brohm has thrived since returning to his alma mater, posting a 19-8 record over two seasons. The Cardinals finished No. 19 in 2023 and went 9-4 in 2024. Known for his offensive expertise, Brohm’s 85-52 career record includes successful tenures at Western Kentucky and Purdue.
**3. Mario Cristobal, Miami**
*Image: Miami coach Mario Cristobal.*
Cristobal has steadily improved Miami, moving from 5-7 in 2022 to 10-3 in 2024, narrowly missing the ACC Championship and Playoff. His recruiting dominance—securing the ACC’s top class for three straight years—signals potential for Miami’s first conference title since 2003.
**4. Rhett Lashlee, SMU**
Lashlee seamlessly transitioned SMU into the ACC, nearly winning the conference title and finishing 11-3 with a Playoff berth in 2024. His 29-12 record at SMU includes back-to-back 11-win seasons, showcasing his ability to elevate programs.
**5. Mike Norvell, Florida State**
*Image: Florida State coach Mike Norvell.*
Norvell’s tenure has seen peaks (near-Playoff in 2023) and valleys (2-10 in 2024). Despite the recent collapse, his 33-27 record reflects progress since inheriting a struggling program in 2020. The 2025 season is pivotal for Norvell to regain momentum.
**6. Brent Key, Georgia Tech**
Key has Georgia Tech trending upward, posting a 7-6 record in 2024 with upsets over Florida State and Miami. His 18-16 overall record (14-9 in ACC play) includes back-to-back winning conference seasons, a feat not achieved since 2013-14.
**7. Bill Belichick, North Carolina**
*Image: North Carolina coach Bill Belichick.*
Belichick, with 302 NFL wins and six Super Bowl titles, is a coaching legend, but his lack of college experience and a 12-22 record in his final two NFL seasons make him a wildcard. His 2025 debut at North Carolina is one of the season’s biggest storylines.
**8. Dave Doeren, NC State**
Doeren’s 6-7 record in 2024 marked NC State’s first losing season since 2019, but the Wolfpack secured a fifth straight bowl appearance. With an 87-65 record since 2013, Doeren has three top-25 finishes, including No. 21 in 2023.
**9. Pat Narduzzi, Pitt**
Pitt’s 7-0 start in 2024 faded into a six-game losing streak, partly due to quarterback injuries. Narduzzi’s 72-56 record since 2015 includes an ACC title in 2021, and last year’s bowl rebound followed a 3-9 season in 2023.
**10. Manny Diaz, Duke**
*Image: Duke coach Manny Diaz.*
Diaz’s 9-4 debut in 2024, despite roster turnover, was impressive. Previously 21-15 at Miami and a top defensive coordinator at Penn State, Diaz led Duke to the Gator Bowl, showcasing his ability to maximize talent.
**11. Bill O’Brien, Boston College**
O’Brien’s 7-6 debut in 2024 included upsets over Florida State and Syracuse. With a 15-9 record at Penn State (2012-13) and 52-48 in the NFL, O’Brien’s experience makes him a steady presence for the Eagles.
**12. Fran Brown, Syracuse**
Brown’s 2024 debut was a standout, with a 10-3 record, a Holiday Bowl win, and a No. 20 AP ranking. His transfer portal success, including landing quarterback Kyle McCord, highlights his recruiting and coaching potential.
**13. Justin Wilcox, California**
*Image: California coach Justin Wilcox.*
Wilcox’s 42-50 record at Cal since 2017 reflects the program’s challenges, especially post-ACC move. Despite back-to-back bowl appearances, Cal hasn’t had a winning season since 2019, and 2025 is critical with significant roster changes.
**14. Jake Dickert, Wake Forest**
Dickert, previously 23-20 at Washington State, takes on Wake Forest’s tough job. His experience at another challenging program and bowl appearances in 2022 and 2024 suggest he can build consistency in Winston-Salem.
**15. Brent Pry, Virginia Tech**
*Image: Virginia Tech coach Brent Pry.*
Pry’s 16-21 record includes back-to-back bowl games, but a 9-7 ACC mark since 2023 and a lackluster 2024 season raise questions. With roster transitions, 2025 is crucial for Pry to elevate the Hokies.
**16. Tony Elliott, Virginia**
Elliott’s 5-7 record in 2024 was his best at Virginia, but an 11-23 overall mark and 6-17 in ACC play signal a pivotal 2025. The Cavaliers need a breakthrough to solidify Elliott’s tenure.
**17. Frank Reich, Stanford**
Reich, a late hire after Troy Taylor’s exit, brings NFL experience (40-33-1 with the Colts, 1-10 with the Panthers). His lack of college coaching experience and Stanford’s challenges make his 2025 outlook uncertain, though his ties to Andrew Luck could help.
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