CSD Mag Feature: Grading Every Move on the 2017 Coaching Carousel

*Listed in alphabetical order*

Each coach’s “Previously” only includes jobs they held in the past five years (2012-16)

Baylor

Out: Jim Grobe
In: Matt Rhule (Previously Assistant Offensive Line Coach for the New York Giants in 2012 and Head Coach at Temple from 2013-2016)

In Rhule’s first season at Temple, the Owls went 2-10, in his second year, they improved to 6-6, and then in his third and fourth years, they won ten games. That is the type of turnaround that Baylor needs to pull itself out from the rubble that Art Briles and his coaching staff caused. The only thing odd about this hire is that Rhule comes from an Eastern background and doesn’t have any roots in Texas.

Grade: A-

California

Out: Sonny Dykes
In: Justin Wilcox (Previously Defensive Coordinator at Washington from 2012-13, Defensive Coordinator at USC from 2014-15, and Defensive Coordinator at Wisconsin in 2016)

After Sonny Dykes surprise firing in January, Cal replaced him with Justin Wilcox, who was one of the nation’s premier defensive coordinators. Because of Cal’s defensive struggles, Wilcox’s hire makes sense, Wisconsin was one of the best D’s in the country under his watch last season. He does not have any head coaching experience though, but he has a great coaching staff around him with many former head coaches.

Grade: B

Cincinnati

Out: Tommy Tuberville
In: Luke Fickell (Previously Co-Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach at Ohio State from 2012-16)

Fickell has been in Ohio his whole life. After playing for Ohio State in the 1990’s, he took over Akron’s D-Line job in 2000, he quickly got picked up on Ohio State’s radar, and the Buckeyes hired him in 2002. Fickell does have one season of head coaching experience, he took over the job on an interim basis in 2011 after the Jim Tressel scandal, he went 6-7, which was Ohio State’s worst performance since the 80’s, but I don’t think you can read too much into that.

Grade: B

Connecticut

Out: Bob Diaco
In: Randy Edsall (Previously Head Coach at Maryland from 2011-15, and Director of Football Research for the Detroit Lions in 2016)

Six years ago Edsall left Connecticut for Maryland. After a disappointing tenure with the Terps, he is back. Edsall took over the job originally in 1999, when UConn was transitioning to the FBS, by 2004, he led the Huskies to their first bowl game. He was most successful towards the end of his run with the Huskies, making four straight bowls, including a Big East Title and trip to the Fiesta Bowl in 2010. He was the winningest coach in UConn history, but after his failure at Maryland, I wouldn’t get your hopes to high for a UConn return to the New Year’s Six.

Grade: B-

Florida Atlantic

Out: Charlie Partridge
In: Lane Kiffin (Previously Head Coach at USC from 2010-13 and Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach at Alabama from 2014-16)

For Florida Atlantic to get a guy that has head coaching experience with Tennessee, USC, and the Oakland Raiders is incredible in itself. Kiffin had a very successful run as OC at Alabama, and now, he finds himself back in a head coaching gig. Even if Kiffin’s run is unsuccessful, Florida Atlantic will hugely benefit from the constant coverage on ESPN he will bring them, this is one of the best hires of the year.

Grade: A-

FIU

Out: Ron Turner
In: Butch Davis

Lost in the shuffle of a crazy 2017 coaching carousel was a very interesting hire by the Panthers. Butch Davis, former head coach of the Cleveland Browns and North Carolina, comes back to coaching after a six year absence. While he was fired in a cloud of the UNC academic scandal, he did take the Heels to three straight bowl games. He is more of a risk after the way his last head coaching job ended, but if you asked me which Florida Conference-USA school would do better in the near-future, I would choose FIU over FAU.

Grade: B+

Fresno State

Out: Tim DeRuyter
In: Jeff Tedford (Previously Head Coach at Cal from 2002-2012, Offensive Coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2014, Head Coach of the British Colombia Lions in 2015, and Assistant Coach for Washington in 2016)

Tedford has held four jobs in the past five years, and he has coaching experience all across the country. He is the perfect fit for Fresno State, he played there in the 1980’s and then worked his way up and actually was the offensive coordinator for the Bulldogs before leaving to become the OC at Oregon. He then spent 11 years as the head coach of Cal where he had a record of 82-57.

Grade: B

Georgia State

Out: Trent Mikes
In: Shawn Elliot (Previously Co-Offensive Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach at South Carolina from 2012-15, Interim Head Coach at South Carolina in 2015, and Offensive Line Coach at South Carolina in 2016)

Shawn Elliot has no head coaching experience outside of a 1-5 run as the interim coach when Steve Spurrier retired. Elliot played at Appalachian State, coached there for 13 years before joining South Carolina as their Offensive Line coach. Elliot was a good coach at South Carolina, but I am skeptical that he can jump into a head coaching role.

Grade: C-

Houston

Out: Tom Herman
In: Major Applewhite (Previously Co-Offensive Coordinator and Running Backs Coach at Texas from 2011-12, Co-Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach at Texas in 2013, and Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach at Houston from 2015-16)

Applewhite has coached under Mack Brown, Nick Saban, and Tom Herman, now, he gets his shot as the Head Coach for a Houston program that should recruit tremendously well. He has high expectations to live up to, after what Tom Herman built, an eight-win season is a disappointment. You can’t read too much into his loss in the bowl game, but this is a solid hire.

Grade: B

Indiana

Out: Kevin Wilson
In: Tom Allen (Previously Linebackers Coach and Special Teams Coordinator at Ole Miss from 2012-14, Defensive Coordinator at USF in 2015, and Defensive Coordinator at Indiana in 2016)

Tom Allen doesn’t exactly bring the resume that former coach Kevin Wilson had. Wilson was fired in a cloud of controversy, after allegations of player misconduct arose. Indiana promoted from within, choosing DC Tom Allen to be the new head coach of the Hoosiers. With no head coaching experience, and only two years as a Defensive Coordinator in the FBS, Allen might have some trouble getting Indiana up to the top of the Big Ten

Grade: C-

LSU

Out: Les Miles
In: Ed Orgeron (Previously Defensive Line Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at USC from 2010-13, Interim Head Coach at USC in 2013, Defensive Line Coach at LSU from 2015-16, and Interim Head Coach at LSU in 2016)

Orgeron took over for Lane Kiffin a few games into the 2013 season, and he turned that season around, leading the Trojans to a 6-2 record with him as the interim Head Coach. He didn’t get the job though, and spent 2014 out of coaching before being hired by LSU as a D-Line coach. In 2016, it happened again, as Les Miles was let go a few games into the season. Orgeron took over, and LSU went 6-2 with him at the helm. This time, he got the job. Orgeron’s only full time coaching experience was at Ole Miss, which was a disaster, but that was ten years ago, and now, at his dream job, Ed Orgeron finally gets his second chance in the SEC.

Grade: B+