It's not easy being a major college football coach. The pressure to win—and win big—fueled by huge television contracts and overbearing fans and boosters can shorten the tenures of even the most talented coach and give them serious stress on the side.
The best coaches are paid exceedingly well, but they earn it. Those who succeed at the highest level deserve their spots at the top of the game's hierarchy.
Who are the best of the best, though? Here, we take an extended look at college football's top coaches since 2000. Factors considered included national championships and games won, number of 10-win seasons and league championships.