College Football’s Most Handsome Coaches

Ben Mendelowitz Sports Betting Expert

5 minute read

From the NFL to the NBA, star athletes and coaches often dominate headlines for more than their performance on the field. But while players usually take center stage when it comes to looks, college football’s head coaches deserve some recognition of their own.

Between the game-day energy on the sidelines, their leadership reputations, and plenty of charisma, many FBS coaches are fan favorites for reasons that go well beyond X’s and O’s. That got us thinking: which college football coaches are actually the most handsome?

To find out, we collected images of all 136 FBS head coaches and ran them through AI software that measures conventional attractiveness using the Golden Ratio of facial symmetry. Each coach received a score out of 10, giving us a ranked list of college football’s most attractive sideline leaders.

So, who made the cut? Let’s break down the results.

The Top Five Most Handsome College Football Coaches

1. Billy Napier – Florida Gators (7.98/10)

Billy Napier, who has led the Florida Gators since 2022, takes the top spot with an impressive attractiveness score of 7.98. Known for his composed demeanor and Southern charm, Napier has brought both discipline and style to Gainesville. While his on-field record has faced ups and downs in the SEC, his appearance clearly stands out among his peers.

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2. Joe Moorhead – Akron Zips (7.89/10)

Akron’s Joe Moorhead lands second with a 7.89 score. The former Oregon offensive coordinator and Mississippi State head coach brings a rugged edge to the MAC sidelines. Akron has struggled in recent years, but Moorhead’s combination of experience and classic looks helps him rank among the nation’s most handsome coaches.

3. Mike Locksley – Maryland Terrapins (7.84/10)

Mike Locksley, head coach of the Maryland Terrapins, rounds out the top three with a 7.84 score. Locksley is credited with bringing stability and competitiveness back to Maryland football, and apparently his sideline presence doesn’t go unnoticed. His blend of confidence and leadership puts him near the very top of our list.

4. Derek Mason – Middle Tennessee (7.75/10)

Former Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason recently took over at Middle Tennessee, and his 7.75 attractiveness score places him in the top five. Mason is known for his sharp suits and even sharper sideline intensity. Whether coaching in the SEC or CUSA, he brings undeniable charisma that boosts his ranking.

5. Brian Kelly – LSU Tigers (7.62/10)

Closing out the top five is LSU’s Brian Kelly with a 7.62. One of the most recognizable coaches in college football, Kelly’s commanding presence and polished look play a big role in his appeal. Fresh off strong SEC campaigns, the Tigers’ head coach proves that success and attractiveness can go hand-in-hand.

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Other Coaches Who Made the Top 10

Just outside the top five, Nebraska’s Matt Rhule (7.61), Kent State’s Mark Carney (7.52), Kansas head coach Lance Leipold (7.48), Temple’s K.C. Keeler (7.48), and Sam Houston’s Phil Longo (7.47) round out the top 10 most handsome coaches in college football.

From the Big Ten to the MAC to Conference USA, good looks clearly aren’t confined to one region or conference.

Conference Breakdown

Looking at the results more broadly, the SEC once again dominates, not just on the field but in the looks department too. With Billy Napier (Florida), Brian Kelly (LSU), and Kalen DeBoer (Alabama) all finishing in the top 15, the conference proves it has depth when it comes to charisma.

The Big Ten isn’t far behind, thanks to high scores from Mike Locksley (Maryland), Matt Rhule (Nebraska), James Franklin (Penn State), and Sherrone Moore (Michigan).

Meanwhile, Group of Five programs also made strong showings. Joe Moorhead (Akron), Mark Carney (Kent State), and Phil Longo (Sam Houston) helped prove that good looks aren’t exclusive to Power Five sidelines.

Surprising Names on the List

Some familiar names scored lower than expected. Georgia’s Kirby Smart (6.25), Clemson’s Dabo Swinney (5.83), and Michigan State’s Jonathan Smith (5.24) all landed outside the top 100 despite their on-field reputations. On the other hand, relative newcomers like DeShaun Foster (UCLA) and Fran Brown (Syracuse) cracked the top 30, hinting that a new generation of stylish sideline leaders may be on the rise.

 Check out the top 50 from our ranking below:

Methodology

To determine the most attractive head coaches in college football, we used an AI facial analysis tool designed to measure conventional attractiveness. The software evaluates symmetry, eye spacing, nose and mouth ratios, and other features tied to the Golden Ratio.

Each coach’s headshot was uploaded, and the program produced an attractiveness score out of 10. We analyzed 2–3 images per coach where possible, then averaged the results for consistency.

You can find the dataset and ranking in full here.

Ben Mendelowitz

Ben Mendelowitz is a digital marketing expert who excels in digital PR across industries like finance, crypto, and iGaming. With a background in international political economy, he understands market dynamics and has a knack for creating high quality that garners attention. Ben is also committed to mentoring his team and collaborating closely with content creators and SEO specialists. More from Ben Mendelowitz