Today, we unveil the eighth (and last) set of our national unit rankings, on coaching staffs. Our rankings started with offensive backfields, and receiving corps, offensive lines, defensive lines, linebackers, secondaries and special teams have followed.

These rankings take into account what the coaches have accomplished and how we think their teams will do this season.

Here are the coaching staff rankings.





10. Oklahoma State





The hierarchy: Coach Mike Gundy, offensive coordinator Todd Monken, defensive coordinator Bill Young

The buzz: Gundy used to serve as his own OC, but once he gave that up and started focusing more on the big picture, Oklahoma State has gotten better and better. Gundy and his staff have done an excellent job on the recruiting trail maximizing their new facilities. Monken has NFL experience and should be a head coach soon. Young is a veteran who has seen every offense known to man. Offensive line coach Joe Wickline churns out productive units every season.







9. Michigan State





The hierarchy: Coach Mark Dantonio, offensive coordinator Dan Roushar, defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi

The buzz: Dantonio has turned the Spartans into one of the best programs in the Big Ten. Narduzzi annually puts together salty units and should be a head coach soon. Roushar is heading into his second season as OC, and his work with a rebuilt offense this season will be telling. Among the notable position assistants are secondary coach Harlon Barnett and linebacker coach Mike Tressel, Jim's nephew.



View photos





8. South Carolina





The hierarchy: Coach Steve Spurrier (doubles as offensive coordinator), defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward

The buzz: Spurrier has made South Carolina football relevant nationally, not an easy task. He guided the Gamecocks to the SEC East title in 2010, the school's first title of any kind since it won the ACC crown in 1969. Spurrier's offenses certainly haven't been the juggernaut units he oversaw at Florida. The biggest reason: mediocre quarterback play. Ward replaces Ellis Johnson, who became coach at Southern Miss. Ward says he will be even more aggressive than Johnson, which (with an apology to Nigel Tufnel of Spinal Tap) would be akin to turning the volume to 11 on a stereo whose volume control only goes to 10. Defensive line coach Brad Lawing does a good job, and offensive line coach Shawn Elliott has elevated the play of his unit since his arrival after the 2009 season.







7. Boise State





The hierarchy: Coach Chris Petersen, offensive coordinator Robert Prince, defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski

The buzz: The staff underwent a big makeover, with three assistants leaving for new jobs. Prince was promoted from receivers coach to OC. Kwiatkowski is in his third season in his current role; he had been on the staff as line coach for four seasons before that. Linebacker coach Bob Gregory is a good one. Running backs coach Keith Bhonapha has done good work in his two seasons, and Chris Strausser is a top-notch offensive line coach.







6. Ohio State





The hierarchy: Coach Urban Meyer, offensive coordinator Tom Herman, defensive coordinator Everett Withers

The buzz: Meyer has put together a good staff. Both coordinators look to be future head coaches. Herman knows how to design offenses and call plays; now that he has high-level talent, he should shine. Luke Fickell, the Buckeyes' interim coach last season, and Mike Vrabel are other defensive assistants. This should be one of the best recruiting staffs in the nation, too.



Story continues