Can Oregon Ducks' Dan Lanning Win Coach Of The Year Over Indiana's Curt Cignetti?

Is Oregon Ducks coach Dan Lanning a contender for national coach of the year? Indiana Hoosiers coach Curt Cignetti and Colorado Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders are making their case as well.

Oregon Ducks beat Illinois Fighting Ilini in Autzen Stadium: Oregon coach Dan Lanning / oregon duck

It’s that time of the year in college football, and the Oregon Ducks are the No. 1 team in the country. The playoff picture is taking shape, contenders for individual accolades are becoming clear, and the coaching carousel is already spinning as fast as ever. November football is here. The landscape is ever-changing, and there’s still an adjustment period, but there is nothing like the excitement college football provides. 

One important race that may not be getting as much notoriety as it should in the chaotic fray is the race for national coach of the year. With realignment, coaches like Nick Saban retiring, and coordinator changes galore, there’s no shortage of storylines across the board. However, there’s a handful of coaches that have truly unique cases for the prestigious honor bestowed upon only one coach every season.

The Duck takes to the field as the No. 1 Oregon Ducks host the No. 21 Illinois Fighting Illini Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

There’s Oregon Ducks coach Dan Lanning, who has the Ducks reaching heights they haven’t in over a decade and hold one of the best wins this season over Ohio State. That brings the conversation to Curt Cignetti, who has Indiana 8-0 for the first time since 1967, and they’ve yet to trail in a game this season. Then you have Texas A&M coach Mike Elko, who has the Aggies at 7-1 and in sole possession of first place in the deepest SEC in recent memory. 

Some guy named Deion Sanders has the Colorado Buffaloes 6-2 and bowl-eligible for the first time since 2016 after losing both coordinators, half of the coaching staff, replacing the entirety of the starting offensive line, and having an entire starting defense full of unsung transfers. Kirby Smart has the Georgia Bulldogs 6-1, and they arguably have the best win this season after going on the road to demolish Texas.

There’s a small group of coaches who also deserve credit for the outstanding job they’ve done so far, such as Manny Diaz (Duke), Kalani Sitake (BYU), Rhett Lashlee (SMU), Matt Campbell (Iowa State), Chris Klieman (Kansas State), Marcus Freeman (Notre Dame), and Mario Cristobal (Miami). Still, there’s a distinguished group at the top that’s earned some separation from the pack. Here are the coach of the year rankings heading into week ten.

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1. Indiana Coach Curt Cignetti

Oct 5, 2024; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti looks on from the sidelines against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images / David Banks-Imagn Images

Selling Point: 8-0 for the first time since 1967.

2. Colorado Coach Deion Sanders

Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffalos head coach Deion Sanders against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Selling Point: Bowl-Eligible for the first time since 2016.

3. Oregon Coach Dan Lanning

Coach Dan Lanning celebrates amid a crowd of fans on the field as No. 3 Oregon knocked off No. 2 Ohio State 32-31 on Saturday at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Selling Point: No. 1 team in the country + biggest regular season win in school history.

4. Texas A&M Coach Mike Elko

Oct 26, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Mike Elko watches the replay in the third quarter against the LSU Tigers at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images. / Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Selling Point: Sole possession of first place in the SEC.

5. Georgia Coach Kirby Smart

Oct 12, 2024; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart on the sideline against the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the third quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images / Brett Davis-Imagn Images

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