Top 10 NCAA Coach of the Year Candidates

#10. Nick Saban- Alabama
The 2008 Coach of the Year, Nick Saban, is 10th on the list and not higher for good reason. No division 1-A coach has ever won the award in back to back years in the history of the award, which goes back to 1935. Saban will also have a hard time replacing offensive lineman Andre Brown and quarterback John Parker Wilson. Alabama's defense and recruiting class will keep them in the top 10 in the rankings, but I can't see Saban winning the award back to back unless Alabama wins the National Championship.

#9. Frank Beamer- Virginia Tech
Frank Beamer and the Virginia Tech Hokies have a great chance to make a splash during the '09 college football season. Virginia Tech returns a good special teams unit and a great defense. Star running back Darren Evans is out for the season, which is a huge blow for the Hokies, but if they can put together a BCS worthy season, Beamer would be a possibility as Coach of the Year. Frank Beamer always field a confident team and they will be ready to play come September.

#8. Joe Paterno- Penn State
Although Penn State doesn't have one top 25 team scheduled outside of the Big Ten, they still have an opportunity to make a BCS bowl if they win the Big Ten. Penn State is returning RB's Evan Royster and Stephfon Green, and QB Daryll Clark. If Penn State can go undefeated, Paterno could receive another Coach of the Year award.

#7. Houston Nutt- Ole Miss
QB Jevan Snead is once again leading the Ole Miss Rebels and with the coaching of Houston Nutt, the Rebels have a good shot at a BCS bowl game. Ole Miss returns their top two running backs, Dexter McCluster and Cordera Eason. Ole Miss has a legitimate shot to challenge Alabama for the SEC West Championship, and to meet the Florida Gators in the SEC Championship game. If the Rebels can finish in the top 10, expect Nutt to receive a lot of votes for the top coach in all of college football.

#6. Jim Tressel- Ohio State
Ohio State always contends for a National Title, until the National Championship game (BCS Championship). This year will be no different as Ohio State will field a very good defense and some of the most athletic players in their schools history on offense in Herron and Pryor. Tressel will need more than a Big 10 Championship to win Coach of the Year, but don't count Ohio State completely out of the National Championship. Tressel will be a candidate for Coach of the Year down the stretch.

#5. Bob Stoops- Oklahoma
Oklahoma will not have a walk in the park in returning to the National Championship game this year. The Sooners will face tough non-conference opponents such as the Miami Hurricanes and the BYU Cougars. The Sooners also have a tough road schedule. Oklahoma will play (2) Texas, (25) Kansas, and (24) Nebraska all on the road. If the Sooners can get through these conference games without a loss, Stoops could walk home with a Coach of the Year trophy.

#4. Mack Brown- Texas
Texas is returning many of their offensive weapons making them a threat for a Big 12 Championship. Colt McCoy and Jordan Shipley have a chemistry that is unmatched in college football. Last year they connected 89 times through the air for over 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns. Oklahoma, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma State will not be easy challenges, but Texas will have an outside chance of going undefeated due to a very easy non-conference schedule. Mack Brown has a great offense to work with, and will put together a fantastic season in '09.

#3. Pete Carroll- USC
Pete Carroll may be the best coach in all of college football. Carroll also is one of the best recruiters in college football, as if USC needs anyone to tell recruits why they should join. Carroll will have the Trojans ready to play in '09 even though they have lost their entire line backing core and star quarterback. Safety Taylor Mays will have to lead the young Trojan defense as they will face tough competition from Oregon State, Oregon, California, Notre Dame, and Ohio State. If USC goes undefeated, Carroll will win the coach of the year.

#2. Chris Petersen- Boise State
Petersen has a golden chance to earn a coach of the year award in 2009. The AP 14th ranked Boise State Broncos are returning 4 defensive backs, 6 offensive lineman, and quarterback Kellen Moore. Boise State will have one huge roadblock between them and a potential perfect season, Oregon. In their first game of the year, Boise State will host #10 ranked Oregon. If Boise can defeat the Ducks, they will have a great chance to go undefeated, and Petersen could win the award for the best college coach of the year.

#1. Urban Meyer- Florida
Urban Meyer has the best chance of any college coach to win the Coach of the Year award. Meyer has the best team, with the best college football player (Tim Tebow). Meyer has an advantage due to his not winning the award last year. If Meyer and the Gators make the National Championship game, I can't see Urban Meyer not winning the award due to his body of work over the last couple of years and dominance in the 2009 season.

Other Candidate: Bo Pellini (Nebraska)