Curt Cignetti tops Joel Klatt’s college football coach rankings despite Georgia’s Kirby Smart’s titles and dominance.

Joel Klatt ranks Indiana’s Curt Cignetti as the top college football coach, citing his undefeated season and rapid rise with limited resources, while placing Georgia’s Kirby Smart third despite Smart’s two national titles, sustained SEC dominance, and elite recruiting. Klatt acknowledges Smart’s accomplishments but argues Cignetti’s one-year peak and Ryan Day’s struggles against Michigan and lack of a Big Ten title since 2020 make the rankings debatable. Indiana and Georgia are both seen as top playoff contenders for 2026-27.