I was listening to a sports radio show today where they had two conversations back to back talking about college football coaches. The first one was what a good hire Georgia Tech made a couple of years back with Paul Johnson. The second was how the Rich Rodriquez hire at Michigan had turned into such a mess for the Wolverines.
That got me thinking what other coaching hires worked out and which ones have failed (at least so far). Hey if your coach is on the worst list there's hope. Frank Beamer of Virginia Tech averaged 4 wins a season his first 6 in Blacksburg. Now the Hokies are a perennial top 15 team.
Best Hires:
Nick Saban, Alabama Crimson Tide
In 2007 the Crimson Tide went after one of the sought after coaches in Nick Saban. The got him and the rest is history. After an uneven 7-6 inaugural season, the Tide won 24 of their 26 games. They also won the 2009 national title, and are primed to make another run at one in 2010.
Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Talk about a program mired in mediocrity. Five 7 win seasons out of 6 and 7 straight losses to their arch rival the Georgia Bulldogs. Paul Johnson and his triple option offense come in 2008, and promptly win 20 games in 2 years, with an ACC Title, and a defeat of the Dawgs. I'd say this hire worked out for the Jackets.
Bret Bielema, Wisconsin Badgers
Admit it after Barry Alvarez stepped down at Wisconsin in 2006 you thought the Badgers were in trouble. I know I did, and I was wrong. Bret Bielema has averaged 9.5 wins in four seasons at Wisconsin. This year's team is a contender for the Big 10 title. If the Badgers can beat Ohio State at home they may end up in a BCS game.
Bo Pelini, Nebraska Cornhuskers
After a 5-7 2007 season Nebraska football was this close to joining college football's ranks of the irrelevant. Bo Pelini has brought this program back. He won 9 games in 2008 and 10 in 2009. Pelini had Nebraska within an eyelash of beating Texas in the Big 12 title game last year. Most people have the Cornhuskers in the top 15 to start the 2010 season. In 2011 the Cornhuskers will join the Big 10.
Worst Hires:
Rich Rodriguez, Michigan Wolverines
Rich Rodriguez is the poster child for a coaching hire mistake. The Wolverines are one of the most storied programs in college football and Rodriguez has turned them into a national laughingstock. In 2008 Michigan went 3-9 and in 2009 Michigan went 5-7. NCAA violations have surrounded the program since Rodriguez's hire. Rich Rod is very close to being shown the door.
Tom O'Brien, North Carolina St. Wolfpack
This hire has been a bust for NC State. After 3 seasons in Raleigh O'Brien has 21 losses, 0 winning seasons and 0 bowl wins for his efforts. He's dealt with a lot of injuries, but when Russell Wilson is your quarterback, you should be having more success. Word is in 2006 Paul Johnson was the runner-up to O'Brien for Pack's head coaching job. It's now or never for O'Brien.
Lane Kiffen, Tennessee Volunteers
The Vols thought they had the heir apparent to Phillip Fulmer. Instead they got a guy who kept getting his foot caught in his mouth embarrassing the proud Tennessee program. He also went an average 7-6 in his only season (2009) in Knoxville that included a humiliating defeat at the hands of Virginia Tech in Chick Fila Bowl. Then he went to USC. Yep I'm sure the Vols regret ever crossing paths with this guy.
Dan Hawkins, Colorado Buffaloes
It sure looked Dan Hawkins had the pedigree to be successful in Boulder. He won 53 games in 5 years at Boise St elevating that program to prominence. His tenure at Colorado has been a disaster. Since his hire Colorado has went 2-10, 6-7, 5-7, and 3-9. He's most famous for his "It's Division 1 football! It's the Big 12! It ain't intramurals"! quote. Good one Dan now try winning some football games.
That got me thinking what other coaching hires worked out and which ones have failed (at least so far). Hey if your coach is on the worst list there's hope. Frank Beamer of Virginia Tech averaged 4 wins a season his first 6 in Blacksburg. Now the Hokies are a perennial top 15 team.
Best Hires:
Nick Saban, Alabama Crimson Tide
In 2007 the Crimson Tide went after one of the sought after coaches in Nick Saban. The got him and the rest is history. After an uneven 7-6 inaugural season, the Tide won 24 of their 26 games. They also won the 2009 national title, and are primed to make another run at one in 2010.
Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Talk about a program mired in mediocrity. Five 7 win seasons out of 6 and 7 straight losses to their arch rival the Georgia Bulldogs. Paul Johnson and his triple option offense come in 2008, and promptly win 20 games in 2 years, with an ACC Title, and a defeat of the Dawgs. I'd say this hire worked out for the Jackets.
Bret Bielema, Wisconsin Badgers
Admit it after Barry Alvarez stepped down at Wisconsin in 2006 you thought the Badgers were in trouble. I know I did, and I was wrong. Bret Bielema has averaged 9.5 wins in four seasons at Wisconsin. This year's team is a contender for the Big 10 title. If the Badgers can beat Ohio State at home they may end up in a BCS game.
Bo Pelini, Nebraska Cornhuskers
After a 5-7 2007 season Nebraska football was this close to joining college football's ranks of the irrelevant. Bo Pelini has brought this program back. He won 9 games in 2008 and 10 in 2009. Pelini had Nebraska within an eyelash of beating Texas in the Big 12 title game last year. Most people have the Cornhuskers in the top 15 to start the 2010 season. In 2011 the Cornhuskers will join the Big 10.
Worst Hires:
Rich Rodriguez, Michigan Wolverines
Rich Rodriguez is the poster child for a coaching hire mistake. The Wolverines are one of the most storied programs in college football and Rodriguez has turned them into a national laughingstock. In 2008 Michigan went 3-9 and in 2009 Michigan went 5-7. NCAA violations have surrounded the program since Rodriguez's hire. Rich Rod is very close to being shown the door.
Tom O'Brien, North Carolina St. Wolfpack
This hire has been a bust for NC State. After 3 seasons in Raleigh O'Brien has 21 losses, 0 winning seasons and 0 bowl wins for his efforts. He's dealt with a lot of injuries, but when Russell Wilson is your quarterback, you should be having more success. Word is in 2006 Paul Johnson was the runner-up to O'Brien for Pack's head coaching job. It's now or never for O'Brien.
Lane Kiffen, Tennessee Volunteers
The Vols thought they had the heir apparent to Phillip Fulmer. Instead they got a guy who kept getting his foot caught in his mouth embarrassing the proud Tennessee program. He also went an average 7-6 in his only season (2009) in Knoxville that included a humiliating defeat at the hands of Virginia Tech in Chick Fila Bowl. Then he went to USC. Yep I'm sure the Vols regret ever crossing paths with this guy.
Dan Hawkins, Colorado Buffaloes
It sure looked Dan Hawkins had the pedigree to be successful in Boulder. He won 53 games in 5 years at Boise St elevating that program to prominence. His tenure at Colorado has been a disaster. Since his hire Colorado has went 2-10, 6-7, 5-7, and 3-9. He's most famous for his "It's Division 1 football! It's the Big 12! It ain't intramurals"! quote. Good one Dan now try winning some football games.
