Most influential coaching trees

This season, there are approximately 1,300 assistant coaches in major college football.

A majority of them probably would like to become a head coach one day, and a few want to be a head coach again, but getting there is much easier said than done. The best opportunities don't always come with the greatest job security, and vice versa, which causes most coaches to be quite nomadic as they try to build a résumé that ultimately will impress an athletic director or search committee.

Although many coaches will acknowledge one primary mentor, it's rare that someone reaches the top rung of the coaching ladder without having been influenced by at least a couple of his previous employers. From offensive and defensive schemes to recruiting strategies to organizational philosophies, there are many aspects for an aspiring coach to absorb.

I studied the backgrounds of this season's FBS head coaches, looking at whom they worked under as assistants and for how long. Using that as a guide, these are the five coaches who have the greatest impact on the FBS coaching ranks in 2012.

1. Urban Meyer

Head-coaching history: Florida (2005-2010), Utah ('03-04), Bowling Green ('01-02)

To read the full ranking of most influential head-coaching trees, you must be an ESPN Insider.

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Brad Edwards

ESPN Insider

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• Analyzes college football and the BCS as part of ESPN's Stats & Information Group
• Analyst for both College GameDay on ESPN Radio and the ESPN College Football app