College football’s 15 best Coordinators of 2025

They are the masterminds behind the schemes.

Although head coaches usually receive most of the credit for a program’s success, their assistants are usually the backbone of the team. Rather a Coordinator is calling plays from the sidelines, or up in the booth, they play a huge role in the outcome of the final score.

Some assistants are destined to be head coaches, while others are comfortable in their position. These 15 Coordinators have showed why they are elite, and look to continue their success on the gridiron this fall.

15. Jordan Davis, OC, North Texas: The 32-year old has only been an Offensive Coordinator for a short amount of time. However, over the past two seasons Davis has worked with the wide receivers, orchestrated the Mean Green’s offense and generated impressive numbers during that span. North Texas averaged 495.8 yards per game in 2023, which ranked sixth in the FBS. Not to mention the Mean Green finished 12th nationally in passing offense, and 21st in rushing offense and points per game that year. His unit led the AAC, and ranked third nationally in total offense last season. The Mean Green even averaged 32.5 points per game. On top of that, Davis had a potent aerial attack, and North Texas finished fourth in passing offense.

14. Corey Hetherman, DC, Miami: The Massachusetts native was the AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year at James Madison in 2021. Hetherman coached the linebackers at Rutgers for two seasons before he took over as Minnesota’s Defensive Coordinator in 2024. He did a magnificent job in Minneapolis too. His defense allowed 82.7 fewer yards than the regime under Joe Rossi from the year prior. The Golden Gophers even finished fifth nationally in total defense, ninth in points allowed, 12th against the run and tied for 10th against the pass. Miami fans are hoping he can have the same impact in South Beach. After all, Mario Cristobal fired Lance Guidry, and made Hetherman one of the highest-paid assistants in the country.

13. Casey Woods, OC, SMU: The former Tennessee wideout landed his first job as Offensive Coordinator at SMU in 2022, and has been extremely impressive. The Mustangs averaged a jaw-dropping, 37.2 points per game in his first year with the program, which ranked 12th nationally. SMU averaged 38.7 points per game, and finished 16th in the FBS in total offense in 2023. Woods transitioned smoothly to the ACC last season. After all, his unit ranked second in the conference, and eighth in the FBS in scoring offense. Woods also helped the Mustangs earn their first-ever, appearance in the Playoffs. He’ll be a head coach sooner than later. Not to mention the return of quarterback Kevin Jennings means SMU will be potent on offense again.

12. Ben Arbuckle, OC, Oklahoma: The 29-year old started coaching in the FBS at Western Kentucky, where he led the quarterbacks and was co-Offensive Coordinator for two years. Arbuckle has spent the past two seasons at Washington State, where he helped develop Cam Ward, and John Mateer into elite gunslingers. In 2023 the Cougars ranked fourth nationally in passing offense, and 35th in yards per game. However, Washington State averaged 21 more yards per game last season than the year prior. The Cougars even averaged five more points per game in Arbuckle’s second year. His unit was more balanced too, but still had a potent aerial attack. Now Arbuckle has Mateer with him at Oklahoma, and should make an instant splash in the SEC.

11. Dana Holgorsen, OC, Nebraska: The Iowa native blossomed under the Mike Leach coaching tree, and built a reputation as an offensive guru through the years. Holgorsen has been an Offensive Coordinator at Texas Tech, Houston and Oklahoma State. He was a head coach for multiple seasons at West Virginia and Houston. Last year Coach Matt Rhule hired Holgorsen for the final three games of the regular season. Holgorsen’s offense was very impressive in the win over Wisconsin, and gave Big Red Nation a glimpse of how it’s supposed to look. The 53-year old has had an entire spring to work with the Huskers, and should be able to elevate the game of former five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola. If his offensive line can stay healthy, look out.

10. Bryant Haines, DC, Indiana: Coach Curt Cignetti’s right-hand man has put together an impressive resume over the past three seasons. After all, Haines’ defense only allowed 19.4 points per game at James Madison in 2023. The Dukes were dominant against the run that year, and surrendered a mere 83.4 rushing yards per game. Haines followed Cignetti to Indiana last season, and made an immediate impact. The Hoosiers allowed 15.6 fewer points than the year prior. On top of that, Indiana jumped from 85th nationally in total defense in 2023, to second in 2024 under Haines’ watch. The Hoosiers also led the FBS in rushing defense. Haines does great work with linebackers, and was one of five semifinalist for the Frank Broyles Award.

9. Mark Arroyo, OC, Arizona State: The former UNLV head coach did wonders in his first year of calling plays at Arizona State last season. Arroyo elevated the play of quarterback Sam Leavitt, which in return helped the Sun Devils win the Big 12, and earn an automatic bid in the Playoffs. Under Arroyo’s watch Arizona State averaged 15.1 more yards per game than the year prior. The Sun Devils went from 109th nationally in total offense in 2023, to 28th last year, which was an increase in 107.1 yards per game. Arroyo was also one of five finalists for the Frank Broyles Award. Leavitt even earned second-team, All-Big 12 honors. Now fans want to see if Arroyo can duplicate his magic this fall without All-American rusher Cam Skattebo.

8. Tony White, DC, Florida State: The 46-year old returns to the ACC after two successful seasons at Nebraska. White runs an attacking 3-3-5 stack scheme. His unit ranked in the top-three of the ACC, and top-20 of the FBS in total defense over his final two years at Syracuse. White arrived in Lincoln, and instantly made the Blackshirts elite. After all, Nebraska finished 11th nationally in total defense in 2023. The Huskers ranked 18th in the FBS in yards allowed last season. The Blackshirts were dominant against the run, and ranked in the top-10 in rushing defense for the past two years. The Huskers even finished in the top-20 in total defense during that span. Now he’ll try to fix a Seminole unit that ranked 86th nationally in total defense.

7. Tim Banks, DC, Tennessee: The Detroit native was a Defensive Coordinator at Central Michigan, Cincinnati, Illinois and Penn State before he landed at Tennessee. Banks has orchestrated the Volunteers’ defense since 2021, and was one of five Frank Broyles Awards finalists last year. His unit is always dominant against the run. Tennessee has finished in the top-20 in rushing defense in each of the past two seasons. In 2024 the Volunteers allowed 4.2 fewer points, 42 fewer yards per game than the year prior. Tennessee has also had eight defenders drafted under his watch, including three this past April. With another dominant campaign this fall, there should be no reason why Banks can’t land a head coaching position in the Power Four.

6. Morgan Scalley, DC, Utah: The 45-year old will be Kyle Whittingham’s successor whenever the future Hall of Famer decides to retire. And rightfully so, considering Scalley has spent his entire coaching career at his alma mater, and fielded some of the nation’s best defenses. Scalley has been orchestrating Utah’s defense since 2016. The Utes ranked 19th nationally in total defense in 2022. Utah finished 13th in the FBS in total defense in 2023. Although Scalley’s defense ranked 29th nationally in yards allowed, his group was still third in the Big 12. The Utes only allowed 20.7 points per game during their first year in the Big 12, which was second-best in the conference. Scalley has also produced countless NFL Draft picks through the years.

5. Garrett Riley, OC, Clemson: The 35-year old has a bright offensive mind like his brother Lincoln. Riley’s journey has been noteworthy too. The Texas native spent three seasons at Kansas as an offensive assistant. Riley is most known for the work he did as TCU’s Offensive Coordinator in 2022. That year the Horned Frogs ranked ninth nationally in scoring offense, and made it to the National Championship Game. Riley is in his third season of leading Clemson’s offense, and continues to make strides. After all, the Tigers averaged 4.9 more points per game last season than the year prior. Clemson also averaged 50.1 more yards per game than in 2023. Even quarterback Cade Klubnik set a single-season, school record for touchdown tosses.

4. Phil Parker, DC, Iowa: The 62-year old is the Big Ten’s longest-tenured assistant, who won the Frank Broyles Award in 2023. Parker has been an assistant every year of Kirk Ferentz’s tenure in Iowa City. His unit led the Big Ten, and finished second nationally in total defense in 2022. The Hawkeyes ranked seventh in the FBS in total defense in 2023. Although Iowa took a step back defensively last season, Parkers’ group still ranked in the top-25 nationally in rushing, scoring and total defense. Parker has put countless defenders in the NFL through the years, including some that weren’t highly-touted recruits. The Ohio native also does excellent work with the secondary. As long as Parker is around, Iowa will field an elite defense.

3. Pete Kwiatkowski, DC, Texas: The 58-year old was Chris Petersen’s right-hand man for a long time. Kwiatkowski orchestrated Boise State’s defense for four seasons, and followed Petersen to Washington where he was the Defensive Coordinator for seven years. Kwiatkowski helped the Huskies win two Pac-12 Titles. He has been Texas’ Defensive Coordinator since 2021. The Longhorns went from 34th nationally in total defense in 2023, to third in 2024, which was a decrease in 53.3 points per game. Texas also allowed 3.6 fewer points than the year prior. Under his watch, defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat won the Outland Trophy, and cornerback Jahdae Barron won the Thorpe. Kwiatkowski was also one of five finalists for the Frank Broyles Award.

2. Mike Denbrock, OC, Notre Dame: The 61-year old orchestrated Cincinnati’s offense for five seasons, and helped the program reach the Playoffs in 2021. Denbrock was LSU’s Offensive Coordinator for two years, and helped quarterback Jayden Daniels win the Heisman in 2023. His offense with the Bayou Bengals averaged a jaw-dropping, 45.5 points per game, which led the FBS. Denbrock returned for his second stint with the Fighting Irish last season, and helped them make it all the way to the National Championship Game. Notre Dame ranked 10th in the FBS in scoring offense. The Fighting Irish even averaged 200.9 rushing yards per game. It helps that Denbrock will have 1,000-yard rusher Jeremiah Love in his arsenal again.

1. Jim Knowles, DC, Penn State: The 60-year old is a household name because of his accomplishments. In Knowles’ final season at Oklahoma State in 2021, his unit led the Big 12 in rushing, scoring and total defense. He has spent the past three seasons at Ohio State, and improved the defense every year. The Buckeyes ranked 14th nationally in total defense in 2022. Knowles improved Ohio State to third in the FBS in total defense in 2023. Last season he helped the Buckeyes win a National Championship. After all, Ohio State led the entire nation in total defense. Now the Philadelphia native is back close to home at Penn State, and replaces Tom Allen, who did a magnificent job in 2024. Knowles will also be working with elite talent again.

Honorable Mention

Andy Kotelnicki, OC, Penn State: The Minnesota native was outstanding as Kansas’ Offensive Coordinator. Kotelnicki made an instant splash with the Nittany Lions last year. He produced two 1,000-yard rushers, and a 3,000-yard passer.

Joe Klanderman, DC, Kansas State: The Wisconsin native is one of the longest-tenured assistants in the Big 12. Klanderman usually fields a stingy bunch against the run, and does excellent work with the Wildcats’ secondary.

Tom Allen, DC, Clemson: The former Indiana head coach made an immediate splash as Penn State’s Defensive Coordinator last season. The Nittany Lions finished seventh nationally in total defense, and Allen helped Abdul Carter become a monster.

Jon Heacock, DC, Iowa State: He’s the longest-tenured assistant in the Big 12, who annually fields high-caliber defenses. Heacock knows the Big 12 like the back of his hand, and has put plenty of his defenders in the NFL over the years.