What is "coaches poll"?

The Coaches Poll, also known as the USA Today Coaches Poll, is a ranking system used in college sports to determine the top teams in a particular sport based on the votes of a panel of head coaches. The poll is conducted weekly during the season and provides a snapshot of the best teams in the country at any given time.

The Coaches Poll is used in a variety of sports, including football, basketball, baseball, and softball, among others. In each sport, a panel of head coaches from around the country is selected to participate in the voting process. These coaches are typically chosen based on their reputation and success in their respective sports.

The voting process for the Coaches Poll is fairly straightforward. Each coach is asked to rank the top 25 teams in the country, with the top team receiving 25 points, the second team receiving 24 points, and so on. The points are then tallied to determine the overall rankings. The poll is typically released on a weekly basis during the season, allowing fans and media members to see how the rankings change over time.

One of the key features of the Coaches Poll is its influence on the postseason. In many college sports, the rankings in the Coaches Poll are used to determine the seeding and matchups in postseason tournaments, such as the NCAA Tournament. Teams that perform well in the poll are often rewarded with favorable seeding, while teams that are ranked lower may face tougher competition in the postseason.

The Coaches Poll can also have a significant impact on recruiting. Top-ranked teams often receive more attention from high school recruits, as players are naturally drawn to programs that are successful and highly ranked. Coaches can use their team's ranking in the poll as a selling point when recruiting top talent, helping to attract the best players to their programs.

One of the criticisms of the Coaches Poll is the potential for bias. Because the poll is conducted by a panel of coaches, there is a risk that coaches may vote based on personal relationships or conference affiliations rather than on the actual performance of teams. This can lead to discrepancies in the rankings and calls into question the validity of the poll as a true measure of a team's quality.

Despite these criticisms, the Coaches Poll remains a popular and widely used ranking system in college sports. Fans, media members, and players all pay close attention to the rankings, as they provide a barometer of a team's success and standing in the national landscape. The poll generates discussion and debate among fans and analysts, adding to the excitement and drama of college sports.

In recent years, the Coaches Poll has seen some changes to its format and methodology. For example, in 2014, the poll switched from a traditional voting system to a ranking system based on a points system. This change was made to provide a more accurate reflection of the rankings and to reduce the potential for bias in the voting process.

In addition, the Coaches Poll has also expanded to include more sports and more coaches. In the past, the poll was primarily used in football and basketball, but it has since been extended to other sports such as baseball and softball. This expansion has helped to increase the visibility and relevance of the poll across a wider range of college sports.

Overall, the Coaches Poll is an important and influential ranking system in college sports. It provides a valuable measure of a team's success and standing in the national landscape, helping to drive interest and excitement in college sports. While there are some criticisms of the poll, its impact and relevance cannot be denied, making it a key component of the college sports landscape.