Regrading The 2021–22 College Football Coaching Cycle: Two Unanimous Failures

There are nary judge things successful coaching crossed assemblage football, but erstwhile nan first news convention takes spot announcing a hire, it judge seems for illustration each schoolhouse sewage nan cleanable guy.

The fans are excited, nan boosters are happy and nan diversion head is capable to relax a small spot aft conducting an exhausting search. Then nan existent activity begins.

Sometimes it each useful out. There are location tally hires who triumph titles and overlooked aliases uninspired coaches who do nan same. Oftentimes, however, it’s conscionable arsenic easy to spell disconnected nan rails and upwind up pinch a chat astir buyouts. 

With nan 2025–26 coaching carousel search to go 1 of nan astir progressive successful nan sport’s agelong history, Sports Illustrated looked backmost astatine different inflection constituent successful nan manufacture pinch nan 2021–22 cycle. Massive jobs came open, galore big-name coaches changed locales and nan equilibrium of powerfulness astir respective conferences seemed to shift.

How did each that play retired and what do galore of those 29 hires look for illustration successful retrospect? Writers Pat Forde and Bryan Fischer regrade nan coaching hires and look astatine why things went truthful wrong—or why immoderate schools sewage it right.

Initial reaction

After recruiting dropped disconnected nether Dan Mullen, nan Gators wasted small clip successful making a alteration arsenic nan programme slipped to a 6–7 play successful 2021. Napier was successful request by respective SEC programs fixed his years of acquisition successful nan convention and that he led Louisiana to back-to-back Sun Belt titles and top-20 finishes. The Ragin’ Cajuns had past vanished supra .500 successful 2014, but Napier instantly won a section title, made a vessel crippled and went 40–12. 

Tenure

Napier oversaw a important overhaul of Florida’s off-field unit and perpetually pushed for much unit to drawback up to immoderate of nan Gators’ convention peers. An upset of No. 7 Utah successful nan Swamp successful his first crippled gave plentifulness of group dream astir nan future, but it ne'er materialized connected nan section pinch immoderate consistency while galore penalties and gaffes led nan instrumentality guidelines to cheque out. There was plentifulness of NFL talent connected nan team, but Florida went conscionable 22–23 nether Napier earlier he was fired. 

Forde’s regrade: F

Napier has nan worst grounds astatine Florida of immoderate full-time coach since nan 1940s, contempt being nan beneficiary of installation upgrades during his tenure. The erstwhile 3 post–Urban Meyer hires that didn’t activity retired successful Gainesville, Fla., each had astatine slightest 1 very bully season—Will Muschamp went 11–2 successful 2012, Jim McElwain went 10–4 successful ’15, Mullen won 21 games his first 2 seasons. Napier ne'er did amended than 8–5 and ne'er competed for an SEC championship. I don’t blasted Florida for hiring him coming disconnected a 40–12 tenure astatine Louisiana and a Nick Saban assistantship, but he didn’t construe from Sun Belt to SEC.

Fischer’s regrade: C-

Napier near nan occupation a amended 1 than he recovered it successful position of modernizing nan program, but ne'er had nan occurrence to warrant keeping him. When you can’t correct nan mistakes that support recurring connected nan section and neglect to triumph astatine a spot for illustration Florida, this stacks up arsenic 1 of nan much disappointing tenures of nan cycle.

Lincoln Riley, USC

Initial reaction

The Trojans yet seemed to aftermath up. Riley was easy regarded arsenic 1 of nan champion coaches successful nan state by nan clip he amazingly decamped to nan West Coast, going 55–10 pinch nan Sooners aft taking complete for nan legendary Bob Stoops. That included 3 trips to nan College Football Playoff, 4 convention titles and a slew of Heisman Trophy–winning quarterbacks. This move really kicked disconnected a number of dominoes this rhythm and was rather nan connection of intent from USC.

Tenure

Naturally, Riley initially signed up to coach successful nan Pac-12 but was quickly thrown into nan heavy of realignment chaos pinch USC’s move to nan Big Ten. He astir won a convention title his first play while churning retired different Heisman signal-caller, but things person gotten progressively worse successful going 31–16 crossed 4 years. He’s made unit changes (especially connected defense) and has revamped nan program’s talent acquisition efforts, but skepticism is rife astir L.A. that he’s tin of winning big.

USC coach Lincoln Riley astir won a convention title successful his first season, but location is still skepticism connected whether he is tin of winning a title. / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Forde’s regrade: C

In position of bang for each nan bucks it took to prosecute Riley, he hasn’t delivered. USC’s grounds has dwindled from 11–2 to 8–5 to 7–6, though this season’s 5–2 squad should decorativeness amended than that. The Trojans person many times fallen short successful nan areas of beingness and intelligence toughness: failing to clasp fourth-quarter leads, being pummeled successful nan trenches and performing poorly successful long-travel roadworthy games. Riley has often recovered excuses—or simply complained—after those losses. This play could still extremity well, but for now he is saved by nan buyout.

Fischer’s regrade: B-

I thought USC knocked it retired of nan parkland successful landing Riley and he would unlock what nan programme tin offer. He’s done immoderate of that and remains a awesome play-caller, but has besides grounded to understand nan gig successful galore ways—from nan stance connected the Notre Dame rivalry to whining aft losses to simply not processing immoderate benignant of toughness connected nan field. Things are building to a large 2026, but nan committedness of adjacent twelvemonth tin only hap truthful galore times.

Initial reaction

Riley’s departure caused plentifulness of bad feelings astir Norman, Okla., but nan instrumentality guidelines quickly rallied astir Venables, who had been mentioned for galore coaching jobs complete nan years earlier yet leaving for Oklahoma. As a protect mind, he was wide praised arsenic personification who would get nan Sooners backmost to being overmuch tougher connected that broadside of nan ball.

Tenure

Venables is 28–19 crossed 4 years and has hovered successful nan basking spot aft conscionable 1 double-digit winning season, 10–3, successful 2023. He’s fixed nan defense but ne'er has recovered nan equilibrium needed connected nan different broadside of nan ball. His grounds against Texas is bad, he mislaid nan past Bedlam crippled and is conscionable 6–8 against classed teams. 

Forde’s regrade: C

An all-time awesome protect coordinator, Venables still hasn’t definitively proved that he’s caput coach material. Oklahoma has worked difficult to build astir him, from splashy backmost acquisitions to aggregate violative coordinator changes to a large unit staff, but nan programme hasn’t gotten backmost to nationalist title contention. The period of November will beryllium an important parameter of wherever nan programme is headed, and whether Venables tin travel adjacent to replicating nan occurrence of his predecessors.

Fischer’s regrade: C+

I had precocious expectations of Venables based connected his activity arsenic Clemson’s DC, but it conscionable hasn’t clicked successful Norman. The move to nan SEC people made this a much difficult job, but it’s ne'er bully erstwhile your sanction keeps coming up adjacent to John Blake astatine Oklahoma.

Brian Kelly, LSU

Initial reaction

Shock, bewilderment and a thought that nan Tigers conscionable mightiness get backmost to winning a nationalist title quickly aft nan Ed Orgeron era saw a speedy reversal successful results. Kelly had won everyplace he went and was caller disconnected 3 top-five finishes astatine Notre Dame successful 4 years—nearly missing retired connected nan playoff successful 2021. There was a thought that he was ne'er leaving South Bend unless nan NFL called, but he became nan splashiest prosecute of nan cycle.

Brian Kelly was nan splashiest prosecute of nan 2021–22 cycle, but was fired this season. / Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Tenure

Other schools would person killed to person nan results that Kelly did successful Baton Rouge, going 34–14 complete 3½ seasons pinch an quality successful nan SEC title crippled his first twelvemonth and a Heisman Trophy victor successful his second. However he ne'er really sniffed nan CFP title arsenic expected and was dismissed aft getting blown retired by Texas A&M astatine location for a 4th consecutive play pinch astatine slightest 3 losses.

Forde’s regrade: C

When you get fired successful nan mediate of your 4th play astatine a imaginable costs of much than $50 cardinal to nan school—plus an costly staff—it didn’t activity out. Kelly had immoderate agleam moments, winning nan SEC West and helping Jayden Daniels triumph nan Heisman Trophy, but nan demands astatine LSU widen to competing for nationalist titles. Kelly ne'er did that.

Fischer’s regrade: B

The fresh ne'er made consciousness but that could person been flooded pinch capable winning—which Kelly ne'er did. He had immoderate awesome highlights successful Baton Rouge but suffered acold excessively galore losses to teams he shouldn’t have. I thought it would activity retired and that Kelly is simply a value coach, but sometimes it’s conscionable a lawsuit of a quadrate peg successful a information hole.

Initial reaction

There was immoderate thought that aft Kelly made his shocking flight to LSU, that nan schoolhouse would hold astir for Luke Fickell to reason his CFP travel pinch Cincinnati. However, AD Jack Swarbrick swiftly moved to elevate Freeman earlier he could subordinate Kelly successful Baton Rouge. Players were ecstatic complete nan elevation but location was immoderate well-founded interest that nan occupation of coaching astatine a spot for illustration Notre Dame would overwhelm a first-time caput coach who was still early successful his 30s.

Tenure

Safe to opportunity Swarbrick was right. Though location was a unsmooth commencement to his clip successful charge, Freeman has proved conscionable astir everybody incorrect and go nan coach who has elevated nan programme into a regular CFP contender. There person been a fewer puzzling losses to Group of 5 teams, but he’s besides gone 38–12 pinch a travel to nan nationalist title crippled to acold outweigh specified setbacks. 

Forde’s regrade: A

One of nan stars of this hiring cycle. Freeman grew quickly into nan job, proving himself arsenic a programme CEO successful summation to his established acumen arsenic a recruiter, motivator and protect strategist. He will triumph a nationalist title astatine Notre Dame if he declines liking successful nan NFL and stays agelong capable to get it done.

Fischer’s regrade: A

I’ll admit I was 1 of those who were highly skeptical of Freeman getting nan job—mostly because of really overmuch you person to woody pinch things extracurricular nan lines astatine a spot for illustration Notre Dame. He’s elevated nan programme into a regular CFP contender and done truthful good that nan instrumentality now is for nan Irish to support him astir amid plentifulness of NFL interest. 

Mario Cristobal, Miami

Initial reaction

There was a long, drawn-out process of luring Cristobal to his alma mater, but yet he came backmost location to a spot wherever he saw nan programme operating astatine its peak. It was a monolithic coup to lure him distant from winning convention titles astatine Oregon and location was plentifulness of dream that nan accrued finance that he was promised would get nan Hurricanes backmost to prominence successful nan ACC.

Tenure

Cristobal admits he didn’t cognize really overmuch of a spread he would request to excavation retired of astatine Miami, but he’s progressed from 5 wins, to seven, to 10 a twelvemonth agone and existent CFP contention successful 2025. There person been plentifulness of timepiece guidance issues, but things are mostly looking up pinch nan measurement nan Canes are recruiting and playing connected nan field. 

Forde’s regrade: A-

A 16–4 grounds nan past 1½ seasons, pinch 2 different quarterbacks and respective different cardinal changes, is impervious that Cristobal tin build a contender. All that remains is finishing nan occupation by winning an ACC title and making nan CFP, some of which are attainable this season. Of course, they were attainable past twelvemonth arsenic good until nan Hurricanes spit up a 21-point lead to Syracuse, which exposed nan nagging mobility astir Cristobal’s in-game coaching.

Fischer’s regrade: A-

Cristobal has done nan occupation he was hired to do successful reviving The U. This is 1 of nan fewer non–Power 2 programs that looks tin of matching up successful nan trenches, and he’s keeping much and much accomplishment position talent around. I still somewhat mobility nan eventual ceiling, but it’s difficult to reason pinch nan inclination line.

Initial reaction

The Ducks are 1 of nan champion jobs connected nan West Coast and had things rolling nether Cristobal, truthful it was a flimsy astonishment that Lanning was handed nan keys arsenic a first-time caput coach. He was highly regarded for his activity arsenic an adjunct and was portion of Georgia’s expertise to get complete nan title hump.

Tenure

Lanning has managed to supercharge nan cognition successful Eugene, Ore., winning 10 games correct distant and past adding 1 much each consequent play while becoming a regular successful nan CFP conversation. Winning nan Big Ten successful nan program’s first play and earning a No. 1 seed made 2024 1 of, if not the, champion seasons successful schoolhouse history.

Forde’s regrade: A

Lanning’s prima roseate quickly arsenic a protect coordinator astatine Georgia and has kept connected ascending arsenic a caput coach. Like Freeman, he seems to beryllium connected a collision people pinch a nationalist title astatine immoderate point. He’s demonstrated nan expertise to maestro each aspects of nan modern caput coaching job.

Fischer’s regrade: A

There’s a logic why each different awesome opening wants to prosecute Lanning. He’s young, relates to players well, recruits relentlessly and has conscionable nan benignant of separator that make him cleanable to support rising up nan ranks of 1 of nan champion successful nan sport.

Sonny Dykes, TCU

Initial reaction

He was nan early sanction arsenic soon arsenic nan Horned Frogs decided to move connected from longtime stalwart Gary Patterson. While moving crossed nan Dallas–Fort Worth statement raised a fewer eyebrows locally, it made consciousness arsenic TCU was successful a powerfulness convention and seemed to mesh good pinch nan offensive-minded Dykes, who was nary alien to nan Big 12.

TCU coach Sonny Dykes was nary alien to nan Big 12 erstwhile he took nan Horned Frogs job. / Ben Queen-Imagn Images

Tenure

It’s difficult to commencement a caller occupation amended than Dykes did, starring nan programme to nan nationalist title crippled successful his first play and collecting each awesome coach of nan twelvemonth grant successful nan process. There was a setback nan pursuing play without a vessel crippled but results person been solid, if unspectacular, ever since going 33–15.

Forde’s regrade: A

The Horned Frogs played successful a nationalist title game. That’s a everlastingly accomplishment, particularly astatine a schoolhouse that had to conflict its measurement backmost into a powerfulness convention aft years wandering nan mid-major wilderness. Dykes hasn’t followed up that 2022 play pinch a sustained tally of prominence, but he’s a coagulated 20–13 since then, and connected nan fringe of Big 12 title contention this season.

Fischer’s regrade: A-

TCU still loses a fistful of games it shouldn’t, but Dykes has raised nan program’s level and go overmuch much of a digestible watch for fans pinch his offense. You can’t return distant being nan past feline to hit Jim Harbaugh successful assemblage aliases that nationalist title tally distant either.

Initial reaction

The soul promotion was easy to spot coming aft Lashlee had helped Dykes move astir nan Mustangs. He had a patient résumé and had overmuch much of a fiery characteristic that resonated astir nan programme pursuing nan measurement this opening came about.

Tenure

The occupation has changed importantly pinch nan move to nan ACC, but Lashlee has managed to raise expectations to spell on pinch results connected nan field. He’s 24–4 successful convention play crossed 4 seasons and notably led SMU to nan ACC title crippled successful its first twelvemonth successful nan convention positive nan CFP. 

Forde’s regrade: A

Taking SMU to nan ACC title crippled and past nan CFP was an tremendous breakthrough for nan Mustangs and Lashlee, and has helped make him a desired commodity connected nan occupation market. He’s a crisp violative mind, a proven recruiter and a savvy roster builder.

Fischer’s regrade: A

Lashlee will beryllium a basking sanction connected nan coaching carousel this twelvemonth for what he’s done successful Dallas. He understands nan correct blend of precocious schoolhouse talent and transportation portal additions and should person nan Mustangs regularly contending if he sticks astir moving forward.

Joey McGuire, Texas Tech

Initial reaction

The Red Raiders occupation was overmuch different erstwhile McGuire was hired (just 3 years of 8 wins since Mike Leach left) than it was now, but he was celebrated astir Lubbock for being a Texas feline done and done arsenic a erstwhile precocious schoolhouse coach successful nan state.

Tenure

Good but not spectacular until an offseason splurge made Tech 1 of nan Big 12 favorites. McGuire hasn’t won much than 8 games successful a play but astatine 7–1 successful 2025, has nan squad successful nan hunt for nan CFP and nan school’s first Big 12 title berth.

Forde’s regrade: B

McGuire came into this occupation having to beryllium he could beryllium a assemblage caput coach, and he’s astir of nan measurement there. McGuire was bankrolled pinch plentifulness of money to onshore transfers, but he’s besides giving nan fans a decent return connected that investment. The Red Raiders are 7–1 and successful nan heavy of nan Big 12 title this play contempt backmost injuries. 

Fischer’s regrade: B

McGuire has managed to stabilize things successful Lubbock and moreover hit Texas/Oklahoma successful nan aforesaid season—which goes a agelong measurement pinch nan instrumentality base. This feels for illustration a make-or-break play fixed nan finance however.

Initial reaction

Elliott had rather nan estimation from his days starring Clemson to regular CFP appearances and was picky astir his first foray into being a caput coach. After Bronco Mendenhall took nan Cavaliers to nan Orange Bowl a fewer years prior, nan prosecute was met pinch plentifulness of excitement that Elliott could erstwhile again maximize nan squad connected nan field.

Tenure

The Hoos person grounded to make a vessel successful Elliott’s anterior 3 seasons earlier turning into astonishing ACC (and CFP) contenders astatine 7–1 successful 2025. The schoolhouse was good down connected transfers and NIL nan past fewer years but invested heavy this offseason to awesome results.

Virginia coach Tony Elliott has his squad arsenic a astonishing ACC contender this season. / Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Forde’s regrade: C+

He had to aviator nan programme done immoderate unspeakable adversity early successful his tenure, pinch a erstwhile subordinate sidesplitting 3 of his teammates. This season, finally, Elliott seems to person recovered nan winning formula. If he tin decorativeness disconnected this fate-kissed play pinch an quality successful nan ACC title game, nan people goes up. 

Fischer’s regrade: C+

I thought this was going to activity retired awesome for some sides earlier Elliott won capable to jump to a amended occupation aft a fewer years. That hasn’t been nan lawsuit up until this play and it will beryllium absorbing to spot what some do if Virginia makes it to Charlotte. 

Brent Pry, Virginia Tech

Initial reaction

The Justin Fuente era trailed disconnected importantly and nan dream was that personification pinch much connections to nan region would thief get nan Hokies backmost to prominence successful nan ACC. Pry was highly regarded arsenic a recruiter successful nan area, had done a awesome occupation pinch Penn State’s defense and was a erstwhile GA nether Bud Foster.

Tenure

Rocky would beryllium putting it mildly. Virginia Tech vanished supra .500 conscionable erstwhile (7–6 successful 2023) and mislaid to section rival Old Dominion aggregate times nether Pry. He grounded to hit a azygous classed squad and vanished conscionable 16–24 earlier being shown nan doorway amid a dreadful commencement to this season.

Forde’s regrade: F

He simply couldn’t get it done arsenic a caput coach, winning conscionable 40% of his games. His tenure began and ended pinch losses to Old Dominion, which tells you why he lasted for only 40 games.

Fischer’s regrade: F

Pry ne'er made consciousness initially and it was clear he was successful complete his caput from nan jump. The Hokies were not only bad but they were achy to watch, moreover during nan 2024 run that had tons of returning starters stacked connected nan roster. 

Initial reaction

DeBoer had only 2 seasons arsenic an FBS caput coach erstwhile hired, going 12–6 pinch Fresno State. He was praised for his expertise to pass and tally an discourtesy that put up plentifulness of points, which was nan nonstop other of predecessor Jimmy Lake.

Tenure

DeBoer lasted conscionable 2 seasons, going a singular 25–3 pinch nan past Pac-12 title successful nan aged convention to his name. He led nan Huskies each nan measurement to nan nationalist title crippled earlier yet being nan prime to switch Nick Saban astatine Alabama.

Kalen DeBoer led Washington to nan 2024 nationalist title game. / Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

Forde’s regrade: A+

The only point that didn’t spell correct was keeping him for nan agelong haul. Saban’s status opened up a occupation that was excessively bully to walk up.

Fischer’s regrade: A+

He mislaid 3 games successful 2 years and took Washington each nan measurement to nan CFP. Hard to reason pinch those results to nan constituent wherever it was a prosecute that almost worked retired too good for Washington. 

Mike Elko, Duke

Initial reaction

Things had gotten old nether David Cutcliffe and nan results for nan Blue Devils returned to wherever they typically were historically. Elko knew nan ACC good from his successful stint astatine Wake Forest and was fresh to beryllium a caput coach for nan first clip aft putting together immoderate awesome defenses astatine Notre Dame and Texas A&M.

Tenure

Short but sweet. After conscionable 2 vessel games successful nan past six seasons earlier his arrival, Elko led Duke to a brace of bowls during his 2 years successful charge—including an awesome 9-4 people successful 2022.

Forde’s regrade: A

Elko established his caput coaching chops very quickly pinch nan Blue Devils, who couldn’t support him erstwhile a football-first SEC schoolhouse came aft him. Elko helped reestablish a baseline competitiveness that Manny Diaz has maintained.

Fischer’s regrade: A-

Elko made Duke competitory again correct distant arsenic each but 2 of his losses (both to teams successful nan apical 20) were by 1 score. He’s taken things moreover further astatine Texas A&M but did value activity successful Durham, N.C.

Initial reaction

The Trojans took a large measurement backmost aft Neal Brown near nan programme truthful hiring personification who was portion of that unit and grew up successful nan authorities of Alabama was good received some internally and externally.

Tenure

Sumrall lasted conscionable 2 years astatine Troy, going 23–4 while winning a brace of Sun Belt titles.

Forde’s regrade: A+

Someday, erstwhile Sumrall is winning SEC championships, Troy tin return immoderate pridefulness successful saying it gave him his commencement arsenic a caput coach. 

Fischer’s regrade: A+

The programme was floundering successful a competitory convention and Sumrall instantly turned it around. He’s doing nan aforesaid astatine Tulane now and appears destined to tally a big-time SEC programme soon enough.

Jerry Kill, New Mexico State

Initial reaction

It felt for illustration a monolithic coup for nan Aggies to onshore a seasoned coach for illustration Kill, who had bounced astir arsenic an adjunct but was highly regarded for his expertise to move programs around.

Tenure

One of nan champion stretches successful programme history resulted successful NMSU’s 2nd vessel crippled triumph since 1960, followed by 10 wins and a CSUA title crippled berth. 

Forde’s regrade: A+

He breathed life into a dormant program, and made serapes a shot manner statement. Kill’s 17 victories pinch nan Aggies were nan astir successful a two-season span since 1959–60. The only point lacking successful his tenure was longevity.

Fischer’s regrade: A

This mightiness beryllium 1 of nan hardest jobs successful nan state and Kill led nan Aggies to caller heights earlier smartly hitting nan eject button.

Initial reaction

How did Akron onshore Moorhead? That was nan first thought anyhow fixed really nan seasoned violative coordinator was connected to a number of bigger openings. The erstwhile Fordham and Mississippi State caput coach had a awesome estimation and it felt for illustration a coup that a MAC squad could onshore him.

Tenure

The Zips are 1 of nan tougher gigs successful nan MAC and things haven’t gone awesome successful position of results since Moorhead took over, going 11–34 crossed 4 seasons. 

Forde’s regrade: C-

The champion point you tin opportunity astir Moorhead’s tenure is that it has gotten amended arsenic it has progressed. After consecutive 2–10 seasons, Akron is 7–14 since. That still isn’t capable to contend successful nan MAC.

Fischer’s regrade: C

This was a expansive slam astatine nan clip successful luring specified an knowledgeable caput coach to a spot for illustration Akron but he conscionable hasn’t been capable to get nan roster successful a decent capable spot to triumph enough. 

Jay Norvell, Colorado State

Initial reaction

It was an eye-opening, bold move to swipe a convention rival’s caput coach and said to nan aspirations Colorado State had successful nabbing Norvell pursuing 4 consecutive vessel games astatine Nevada.

Tenure

It was a slow and dependable build to 8 wins successful 2024—the Rams’ astir since ’14—but Norvell ne'er could get overmuch momentum and vanished supra .500 successful Mountain West play only once.

Forde’s regrade: C

There was immoderate outcry erstwhile Norvell was fired midway done this season, but his afloat assemblage of activity successful Fort Collins, Colo., wasn’t good. The 8–5 2024 play was a blip, pinch 2 losing records earlier it and different 1 successful advancement this season. Colorado State has put capable into shot to do amended than that successful nan Mountain West.

Fischer’s regrade: B-

This had each nan hallmarks of being a success, taking a proven caput coach successful nan convention and handing him much resources. Things ne'er could activity retired though and Colorado State was truthful inconsistent that a caller AD yet pulled nan plug.

Initial reaction

There were 2 thoughts astir Helton being hired successful Statesboro, Ga., nan first being really awesome it was that a Sun Belt schoolhouse could onshore a erstwhile USC caput coach. The different was a spot of skepticism astir bringing successful personification who loved to propulsion nan shot astir moving nan show astatine a spot that was built connected nan option.

Tenure

Helton’s 2nd crippled successful complaint delivered what mightiness beryllium nan biggest FBS triumph successful schoolhouse history astatine Nebraska, but things person been a spot of a roller coaster ever since. He’s 23–24 wide pinch conscionable 1 winning season.

Clay Helton led Georgia Southern to its biggest FBS triumph successful schoolhouse history. / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Forde’s regrade: B-

Helton brought USC acquisition to nan Sun Belt, but he hasn’t brought USC winning. He’s been a rank-and-file coach successful nan league, thing much aliases less. If anything, his .500-ish grounds astatine Georgia Southern reveals really astonishing it is that he held nan USC occupation agelong capable to coach 70 games there.

Fischer’s regrade: C+

Helton is 1 of nan nicest folks successful nan athletics but has been conscionable O.K. pinch nan Eagles speech from that memorable upset of nan Cornhuskers.

Timmy Chang, Hawai’i

Initial reaction

It’s difficult to person a amended reception than Chang did coming location to his alma mater considering he was a record-setting backmost arsenic a player.

Tenure

It’s been a slow build for Chang astatine 1 of nan least-resourced schools successful FBS. The grounds has improved each play and nan Rainbow Warriors person a 6–2 people successful 2025 and are a existent astonishment successful nan MWC.

Forde’s regrade: B

This looked for illustration a axenic nostalgia hire, bringing location a erstwhile prima subordinate who was severely lacking successful experience. But Chang has steadily improved nan merchandise astatine a spot pinch constricted resources, pinch his 4th squad successful contention for nan Mountain West championship.

Fischer’s regrade: B+

Chang made a monolithic leap from position coach to nan apical occupation and you tin show he’s had to study connected nan alert contempt plentifulness of outer issues. He seems to person things pointed successful nan correct direction.

Initial reaction

It was a earthy fresh to elevate Desormeaux into nan occupation arsenic a local, erstwhile subordinate and a longtime clip adjunct pinch nan Ragin’ Cajuns.

Tenure

It was ever going to beryllium difficult to meet nan barroom Napier group arsenic nan first-time caput coach has knowledgeable his stock of ups and downs. Desormeaux did spell to nan Sun Belt title crippled past play but is different 25–24 crossed 4 years.

Forde’s regrade: C 

Louisiana has had a drastic drop-off since Napier left. Going 10–4 past twelvemonth and playing for nan Sun Belt title was nice, but different Desormeaux’s grounds is 14–20 astatine a programme that was dominating nan convention erstwhile he took over.

Fischer’s regrade: B-

A sensible prosecute that knew what worked astatine nan school, it feels for illustration things are slipping astir Lafayette, La., pursuing past year’s large breakthrough campaign.

Sonny Cumbie, Louisiana Tech

Initial reaction

After nine years of Skip Holtz successful Ruston, La., location was immoderate excitement complete plucking a highly regarded Air Raid adjunct pinch sanction nickname for his first full-time caput coaching job.

Tenure

After a agelong long of consistency, nan Bulldogs person grounded to put together a winning play and person trended toward nan bottommost of CUSA successful Cumbie’s 4 years. They’re amended successful 2025 but nan instrumentality guidelines is restless. 

Forde’s regrade: C+

Cumbie’s tenure could beryllium epitomized by Tech’s 28–27 nonaccomplishment to Western Kentucky connected Oct. 21. The Bulldogs fought, scraped and put themselves successful position to triumph … and past didn’t. He’s 2–13 successful one-score games.

Fischer’s regrade: C+

This is simply a reliable occupation but 1 wherever you should regularly beryllium successful nan apical half of CUSA astatine a minimum. Cumbie has been each complete nan spot pinch results and hasn’t been capable to break done successful adjacent games.

Initial reaction

A spot of a astonishment prosecute fixed Mora’s résumé arsenic a erstwhile NFL/Power 4 caput coach pinch West Coast roots. 

Tenure

As an FBS independent successful an area without overmuch talent, this is simply a difficult gig that Mora has managed to transcend moreover humble expectations with. The wide people of 23–23 isn’t thing to constitute location about, but he won 9 games successful 2024 and has UConn primed for a 3rd vessel crippled successful 4 seasons.

Jim Mora has exceeded humble expectations pinch nan Huskies. / David Butler II-Imagn Images

Forde’s regrade: A-

Mora has taken 1 of nan weirdest jobs successful FBS and made it work, going 23–23 astatine nan only independent programme different than Notre Dame. He’s solidified a programme that galore thought would slice into irrelevance without a convention tie-in.

Fischer’s regrade: A

I was highly skeptical astir Mora moving retired successful Storrs, Conn., fixed nan occupation itself and really things went his last years astatine UCLA. But he’s made nan astir of things and should beryllium successful position to capitalize pinch a amended occupation soon enough.

Jeff Tedford, Fresno State

Initial reaction

Mostly affirmative considering his first stint astatine nan alma mater led to a brace of double-digit triumph seasons and a convention title earlier Tedford resigned owed to wellness issues.  

Tenure

Tedford’s wellness was a subplot passim this short 2nd stint, but he went 19–8 wide pinch a brace of vessel games crossed 2 seasons.

Forde’s regrade: B-

Tedford is simply a awesome coach who had 2 different tenures astatine Fresno extremity early owed to wellness concerns. Perhaps nan schoolhouse should person been wary astir that connected nan 2nd go-round, but it would person been difficult to walk up personification that good.

Fischer’s regrade: B+

Tedford 2.0 (3.0?) successful Fresno was a earthy prosecute aft DeBoer’s stint successful charge, but it’s excessively bad his wellness ne'er allowed him to really support things rolling.

Initial reaction

It’s difficult to return complete amid much trying circumstances, but Dickert had importantly improved nan Cougars defense and was good received by fans connected nan Palouse.

Tenure

In 1 of nan astir difficult spots successful nan country, Dickert went 23–20 pinch a trio of vessel games to his in installments earlier nan convention he was coaching successful each but collapsed.

Forde’s regrade: A

I don’t cognize whether anyone had a harder occupation than Dickert aft nan Pac-12 disintegrated and Wazzu was near holding nan bag, but he made it work. Then he’s quickly proved to beryllium a awesome prosecute astatine Wake Forest.

Fischer’s regrade: A-

Dickert made nan astir of things astatine Wazzu, but it conscionable felt for illustration he was pushing a boulder up nan elevation each play fixed nan changes going on. For a first-time caput coach, it was evident that he was personification rather tin of doing much pinch less. 

Mike MacIntyre, FIU

Initial reaction

MacIntyre ne'er really sewage things going during his only power-conference gig astatine Colorado (aside from 2016) but was highly regarded arsenic a longtime adjunct who did wonders reviving San Jose State. 

Tenure

The Panthers went 4–8 each of MacIntyre’s 3 years earlier he was dismissed.

Forde’s regrade: D

It’s not easy to pull coaching talent to FIU. But this was a retread prosecute pinch retread results.

Fischer’s regrade: C-

I really thought this 1 was going to activity retired arsenic MacIntyre did 1 of nan champion jobs successful nan Group of 5 starring nan Spartans from 1 triumph to 10. He ne'er recruited nan roster arsenic good arsenic he should person and connected nan section it seemed for illustration FIU kept getting successful its ain measurement of a imaginable breakthrough. 

Initial reaction

The erstwhile Urban Meyer adjunct was good known arsenic 1 of nan sport’s apical recruiters and seemed for illustration a earthy fresh for nan occupation arsenic an aspiring adjunct getting his first caput coaching position.

Tenure

Drayton ne'er won much than 3 games successful a play earlier being dismissed 10 games into Year 3.

Forde’s regrade: F

A bad prosecute from nan outset, and it lived down to expectations. Drayton’s Temple teams committed 67 turnovers successful his 34 games.

Fischer’s regrade: F

The programme was slipping agelong earlier Drayton took charge, but he ne'er sewage things rolling and was connected nan incorrect extremity of acold excessively galore blowouts.

Don Brown, UMass

Initial reaction

An evident nostalgia play, Brown had tons of connections to nan programme having antecedently led them to an FCS title crippled during his first clip arsenic caput coach. However, nan manufacture successful wide was overmuch much skeptical astatine things moving retired fixed his property and really overmuch his defenses had slipped earlier taking nan job.

Tenure

Brown won conscionable six times successful 3 seasons and 4 of those victories came against FCS opponents. The squad besides vanished 104th, 133rd and 125th successful scoring defense.

Forde’s regrade: D

This is an intolerable occupation astatine nan FBS level, and Brown reinforced that truth by going 6–28.

Fischer’s regrade: F

You tin understand why nan Minutemen thought bringing personification backmost who knew nan programme was smart but astir extracurricular nan authorities knew this was going to beryllium a agelong changeable to activity retired fixed really overmuch nan athletics was changing.

Initial reaction

After being spurned by Norvell, it was an easy way for nan Wolf Pack to pluck an up-and-coming adjunct who had spent 19 years nether Chris Ault successful Reno.

Tenure

Nevada went from winning 8 games nan play anterior to Wilson’s presence to going 4–20 crossed conscionable 2 seasons.

Forde’s regrade: F

Wilson took complete a programme coming disconnected 4 consecutive winning seasons and went 4–20. Nevada has stayed surgery since he left, going 4–17.

Fischer’s regrade: C-

Wilson had done bully activity pinch Oregon and Washington State arsenic an adjunct and sewage nan Ault seal of approval. However, he looked successful complete his caput successful nan large chair and Nevada took a monolithic measurement backmost connected nan field.

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