1. Pat Narduzzi, Defensive Coordinator, Michigan State

Simply put: Narduzzi makes players look better than they are. For example, the linebacking corps of Max Bullough, Taiwan Jones, and Denicos Allen were typically boasted as the best group of linebackers in the conference. There may be some validity to that claim, but as individual players, none of them amount to much. They are all just hard-nosed football players that give their all, even if they are not oozing talent. Although, that is all Narduzzi needs. His scheme and knowledgeable play calling ability enable his players to play, not to think. They see, they attack. Sure, call it simplistic, but Narduzzi’s defense has finished in the top seven for the past three years. Over the course of those years, only one of his players has been a first round pick (Darqueze Dennard). Narduzzi will not have two thirds of that linebacking corps and his top cornerback returning next year, but that will not stop Narduzzi from Michigan State having a top ten defense yet again.

2. Chad Morris, Offensive Coordinator, Clemson

Great offensive coordinators understand that they must plan and scheme according to their players’ talent instead of stick to a set structure. If nothing else, the past two Clemson seasons proved to us that Morris understands that principle. Over the course of the past two years, Morris had used his quarterback Tajh Boyd as a surprise rushing threat and as a sort of “fullback” in short yardage situations. Boyd did not actually line up as a fullback, but his short, stout frame allowed him to plow through piles and past the first down marker or into the end zone. While Boyd’s role stayed constant (and effective), the receiving corps between the two years were used entirely differently.

In 2012, Clemson had both DeAndre Hopkins and Sammy Watkins. Hopkins was a more complete receiver capable of masterfully separating from cornerbacks and making stellar sideline receptions. Watkins, in 2012, was used more as a “quick-hit” threat that used his burst to gain a small window of separation for some easy yards. As a whole, the receptions were more evenly split amongst the receivers. In 2013, after Hopkins had become a member of the Houston Texans, Watkins took over as the No.1 receiver. Watkins was a speed demon that had come into his own as a more complete receiver. Morris understood just how lethal Watkins could be and he took advantage of it. Watkins caught 101 passes in 2013, which was 59 more than anyone else on the team and accounted for a third of the team’s overall receptions. Both years ended in bowl game wins over teams that were top 15 in the nation at the time. Though Morris is losing many key pieces from his 2013 offense, his intellect will shine through nonetheless.

3. Philip Montgomery, Offensive Coordinator, Baylor

From Robert Griffin III (2010, 2011) to Nick Florence (2009, 2012) to Bryce Petty (2013, 2014), recent Baylor quarterbacks have looked incredibly efficient. All three threw for over 30 touchdowns and 4,000 yards in their most recent seasons as a starter at Baylor. Many have shown the spotlight on head coach Art Briles for the success, which is certainly fair, but Montgomery is the one calling the shots. Baylor’s offense is predicated on the “Four Verts” concept and variants of such, as well as spreading the field and forcing teams to open up the field. The two concepts work together to create a lighting fast scoring offense. Through extended runs (zone-reads, stretches, tosses, screens, etc.) and quick hitting throws (slants, bubbles, swings, etc.), Baylor’s offense forced teams to widen up or continue to be punished on the edges of the field. When the field is clearly opened up, the “Four Verts” concept is used to stretch the field and attack the seam. For defenses, there is no winning. If you set up to shut down one concept, the other is allowed to flourish. With his starting quarterback returning, Montgomery will continue to obliterate the BIG 12. (This is the simplest version of "Four Verts." Many different route can branch from the straight routes, and typically only branch from the inner two routes. It looks simple, but it both stretches the field and opens up the middle of the field.)

4. Bud Foster, Defensive Coordinator, Virginia Tech

The ACC is littered with talented fast-paced offenses that can pick teams apart with ease; even Clemson’s offensive coordinator made this list! With such terrifying offenses to face every week, ACC teams need a defensive coordinator that can handle the task. Aside from Florida State, a team littered with first and second round caliber players at literally every position, Virginia Tech was the only ACC school to have a top 20 defense. Foster’s most impressive feat of 2013 was holding powerhouse Alabama to just 206 yards, 132 yards fewer than their next lowest yardage game. Knowing that Alabama’s offensive line was littered with first year starters and quarterback AJ McCarron could not handle pressure well, Foster brought the house. McCarron was forced to rush throws which lead to an absurd amount of incompletions which further lead to a complete breakdown of the Alabama offense. Foster only lost a couple of key starters from his 2013 regime and will no doubt have similar success in 2014.

5. Mike Bobo, Offensive Coordinator, Georgia

Georgia’s 2013 season was littered with injuries across the offensive roster. Receiver after receiver went down with injury, as did Todd Gurley for two short stints. Even backup running back Keith Marshall had only played five games due to injury. As if things could not get worse, quarterback Aaron Murray missed the final two games of the year because of injury as well. Every starter at the skill positions had been injured at some point or another, many of them at the same time, yet Georgia still managed to be a top 20 offense. How? In short, Georgia’s passing offense was designed to have multiple easy reads for the quarterback that were equally as easy to complete. If a linebacker appears to be blitzing, hit the running back or tight end on their short route. If the defense is playing off-man, hit the curl. In all reality, the system sounds simple because it is. Quarterbacks can pick up on the scheme and learn to execute it like muscle memory, but the situations and safety valves created are still a trouble for opposing defenses. Though Aaron Murray will not be back in 2014, Bobo’s offense will be even better so long as the injury plague does not strike once more. (Here, Antonio Morrison blitzes to leave Todd Gurley wide open. Aaron Murray sees it and completes the easy pass that ended in a score.)