For college football fans in the Lone Star State, it's just about time to clear fall Saturdays for tailgate parties, dressing head-to-toe in school colors and reciting every word of the fight song.
For others, it means sizing up the field. And we don’t mean the tough competition.
We won’t judge if you choose who to root for based on a head coach's smoldering looks. Even if you don't know a tackle from a tight end, there's plenty of eye candy on the sidelines — with lots of close-ups on TV.
Check out six of the Lone Star State’s hottest college football coaches. And vote for your favorite in our first Sexiest College Football Coach in the State of Texas poll.
Kliff Kingsbury / Texas Tech University
We’d sit through college calculus again just to be near the buff 36-year-old doppelganger for actor Ryan Gosling. The smokin' hot Red Raiders coach with washboard abs became an Internet sensation last year after a photo of the sideline eye candy, posing shirtless with two bikini-clad women, went viral, making fans all over the country go "Guns Up" for the Texas Tech coach.
Charlie Strong / University of Texas
You get a lot of respect when you look like you can bench press more than Arnold Schwarzenegger. At 55 years old, the ripped head coach of Burnt Orange Nation looks like he could catch our pass without breaking a sweat. Known as a strict disciplinarian, his tough love might say “no,” but his standup values, megawatt smile and sexy shaved head have us saying, “yes." And, of course, "Hook 'Em Horns!"
Tom Herman / University of Houston
In his first season as UH head coach, the former offensive coordinator for the 2015 Ohio State national champs is thrilling Cougar fans as he lands commitments from players from all over the talent-rich Houston metro area. His allure is more than a pretty face and that championship hardware on his finger. Can you say charisma — and a Mensa membership? Hello, #HTownTakeover.
Kevin Sumlin / Texas A&M University
Four years ago, the former UH coach took his swagger down the road to Aggieland, magically making College Station cool. Regarded as a "players' coach," Sumlin launches another season in the brutal Southeastern Conference with a showy new house — thanks to a $485 million stadium renovation at Kyle Field. It pays to have game.
Gary Patterson / Texas Christian University
Winning sure makes a coach look awfully sexy. As the Horned Frogs' all-time winningest coach, the dedicated Patterson gets extra props for downing Wisconsin in the 2011 Rose Bowl — consequently, making J.J. Watt cry like a baby. Now, he's got his team positioned as No. 2 in the preseason college football rankings just behind Ohio State. That's a real turn on.
Chad Morris / Southern Methodist University
Big things are expected from the former Clemson University offensive coordinator in his first year with the Mustangs, who had a less than stellar 1-11 record last season. We're betting the Red Bull lovin’ coach whispers sweet nothings in a Texas accent (he was a high school head coach in Texas for 16 seasons before heading to Clemson in 2011) — and that's always sexy — sending him to the top of our crush list.
Kliff Kingsbury reads flattering tweets from fans:
From left, clockwise, Tom Herman, Charlie Strong, Gary Patterson, Kevin Sumlin, Chad Morris and Kliff Kingsbury.
