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Earlier today, Athlon Sports released their Rankings of the Nation's College Coaching Tandems with this at the core:
Our ranking of the top college football and basketball coaching tandems attempts to identify the programs that can expect to be competitive from August to April, from the start of football season to the end of basketball season.
Through this lens, the Oklahoma Sooners' tandem of Bob Stoops and Lon Kruger has been dubbed as the fifth best duo in the nation. Stoops, the coach of the football program, brought life to a program lying in the ashes. In his second year as head coach, the Sooners posted an undefeated season winning a National Championship. However, looking at the enitre body of work reveals an impressive résumé. With twelve 10+ win season under his belt, there is no question that Bob Stoops is one of the best when it comes to the gridiron.
On the hardwood, Lon Kruger completed a feat in 2013 no other college coach has been able to accomplish. Behind a 20 win season, the Sooners found themselves in the NCAA Tournament making OU the fifth program Coach Kruger took to the dance. Now, in 2014, this basketball squad appears to be on track for yet another tournament bid already hitting the 20-win mark. Needless to say, Kruger has been a blessing for a program suffering due to sanctions and infractions. The future is bright.
There are more than a few recognizable names on the complete list of 40. But it brings to us to a bigger issue...did Athlon Sports get it right? Arguments can be made for and against each program based upon sustained success and recent success as well as body of work. With multiple angles to approach this argument from, where do you think the Sooners should fall in the order?
Rank | School | Football Coach | Basketball Coach |
1. | Michigan St. Spartans | Mike Dantonio | Tom Izzo |
2. | Ohio St. Buckeyes | Urban Meyer | Thad Matta |
3. | Duke Blue Devils | David Cutcliffe | Mike Krzyzewski |
4. | Louisville Cardinals | Bobby Petrino | Rick Pitino |
5. | Oklahoma Sooners | Bob Stoops | Lon Kruger |
Let us know what you think about the rankings below in the comments section.