One oftentimes makes the other better.
While a talented quarterback can lessen the strain on an unproven coach, the same is true with a knowledgeable coach and an under-the-radar quarterback. If you’re really fortunate, you have the best of both worlds.
ESPN staff writer David Hale recently ranked the top quarterback-coach combos in college football. The rankings were separated into different groupings, but the top three appear to be nobrainers.
- Clemson’s Dabo Swinney and Trevor Lawrence
- Ohio State’s Ryan Day and Justin Fields
- Texas’ Tom Herman and Sam Ehlinger
- Minnesota’s P.J. Fleck and Tanner Morgan
- Texas A&M’s Jimbo Fisher and Kellen Mond
Herman has been fortunate to have a talented signal caller in Ehlinger since he’s been the head coach at the University of Texas. When Ehlinger enters the NFL Draft after this season, Herman will be put to the test. Fortunately, he’s been recruiting well at the position.
“After Vince Young and Colt McCoy made Texas a QB haven in the previous decade, the Longhorns’ offense disappeared from 2010 through 2017 as the team cycled through both coaches and quarterbacks. But the marriage between Herman and Ehlinger has revived the fireworks in Austin, and their offensive success over the past two years — 80 total TDs, 8,100 yards — is on par with anything Young or McCoy produced in their heyday.”
There’s no doubt that the Longhorns duo shows up against nationally-ranked competition. Herman has won the last three major bowl games that he’s coached in, while Ehlinger showcases his best performances under the spotlight.
Ehlinger enters his senior season as a Heisman trophy contender, but Herman’s revamped coaching staff must put it all together in order for this young Texas team to succeed as a whole.
Former Texas quarterback Shane Buechele appeared on the list under the castoffs who found the perfect home. Buechele transferred to Southern Methodist University after it was clear that Ehlinger had won the starting job. He was the perfect match for head coach Sonny Dykes, the duo provided SMU with its first 10-win season since 1984.
The safest gamble was awarded to Oklahoma’s Lincoln Riley and Spencer Rattler. Riley has an incredible offensive mind and he’ll be working with the top-ranked quarterback recruit from the 2019 class.