Announcement

**StarDust Bum** · 07-27-2011, 07:28 PM

Third-Year Coaching Spots

July 21, 2011

By Bruce Marshall

Coaching Hot Seat | Second-Year Coaches

A few weeks ago, we reviewed college head coaches entering their second year on the job. At the time, we made note that too much emphasis is often focused upon first-year coaches; it usually takes a while for the program of a new regime to resonate (or not resonate). Even the second year is often too soon to begin making judgements about the impact of a new coaching staff.

The third year, however, usually begins to offer a clearer picture if the coach is making an impact, positive or negative. Following is a brief review of college coaches from the “Class of 2009" who are entering their third seasons on the job this fall, with accompanying straight up and against the spread records for the past two seasons, as well as an assigned “grade” for their progress to date.

Rich Ellerson, Army (12-13 SU, 10-14 ATS)...Ellerson appears to be just what the doctor ordered at West Point, a return to the option-themed eras of Jim Young and Bob Sutton that made the Black Knights a nuisance opponent for much of the ‘80s and ‘90s. Army lost its way when mostly abandoning that style under Ellerson’s predecessors Todd Berry, Bobby Ross, and Stan Brock, but seems to have rediscovered the magic formula for Ellerson, who led last year’s West Point edition to its first bowl game since 1996 and first postseason win since 1985. The Black Knights are relevant again...no small feat. Grade: A

Gene Chizik, Auburn (22-5 SU, 16-10 ATS)...Win a national championship in your second year on the job, and you get a “A” grade. Simple. So it goes for Chizik, whose hire was, surprisingly, not overly embraced by Auburn Nation two years ago, perhaps because of some uneven results from Chizik’s brief stint as Iowa State’s coach. But few coaches can win at Ames, and Chizik (along with o.c. Gus Malzahn) immediately lit a fire on the Plains, where things had gone sour in the later days of Tommy Tuberville’s regime. We’ll of course see how the NCAA investigation of Cam Newton’s recruitment and other reported violations will progress over the next several months, but for the moment, Chizik has already moved close to Shug Jordan in Auburn lore. Grade: A

Frank Spaziani, Boston College (16-11 SU, 12-14 ATS)...The transition to Spaziani was rather seamless at BC, as the mustachioed mentor had served as the defensive coordinator at Chestnut Hill for predecessors Tom O’Brien and Jeff Jagodzinski. Spaziani had even served as the Eagles’ interim coach for the 2006 Meineke Car Care Bowl, a 25-24 win (but no cover) vs. Navy that is included in his listed straight-up and spread marks. BC has continued to qualify for bowls under Spaziani and has play rock-ribbed defense the past two seasons, but in reality the program is just treading water for the mustache man, and its offense labored with veteran coordinator Gary Tranquill, who retired in the offseason. The Eagles could begin to regress unless new o.c. Kevin Rogers injects some life into what has been a very stodgy BC attack. Grade: C

Dave Clawson, Bowling Green (9-16 SU, 12-13 ATS)...Clawson’s star was rising not long ago as he stewarded the Richmond program to lower-division powerhouse status. But things have not gone too well since, including a difficult season as Phil Fulmer’s offensive coordinator at Tennessee in 2008 (effectively scuttling any ideas that Clawson might be the Vols’ coach-in-waiting). Clawson did steer his first Falcon team to a bowl game in 2009 but last year was an unmitigated disaster at Doyt Perry Stadium as BGSU collapsed to 2-10, neither able to run (62 ypg ranking as the nation’s worst rushing offense) or stop the run (ranking 112th in rush “D”). There is never much excuse for a 2-10 finish in the MAC, so Clawson’s seat is becoming warm. Grade: C-

Dabo Swinney, Clemson (19-15 SU, 17-14-1 ATS)...Swinney’s inclusion in the list is a bit different than others, because he got a head start in his Clemson gig by taking over the reins from Tommy Bowden midway in the 2008 campaign. So, Dabo is in essence into his fourth year with the Tigers, although only his third full season in charge. And the natives are getting restless (as they always are) in Death Valley after last year’s sub-.500 finish and loss in the Meineke Car Care Bowl vs. South Florida. Swinney’s job likely depends upon new o.c. Chad Morris, imported from Tulsa, to ignite an offense that went stale last season. The pressure is also on soph QB Tajh Boyd, now the man running the offense after Kyle Parker retired from football to concentrate on baseball. Grade: C

Ron English, Eastern Michigan (2-22 SU, 9-15 ATS)...It’s hard to believe that English was considered one of the real up-and-comers in the profession a few years when playing to rave reviews as Lloyd Carr’s defensive coordinator at Michigan. But the Wolverines went sour toward the end of the Carr regime and English’s chances at being the successor diminished, and a subsequent difficult stop at Louisville as the d.c. did not add much polish to his resume. English was warned that the EMU job, arguably the toughest in the nation, was a coaching graveyard, and he didn’t record his first win in Ypsilanti until deep into his second season at the empty Rynearson Stadium. Moreover, defense, supposedly English’s specialty, certainly hasn’t been for the Eagles, who ranked bottom of the MAC in all relevant stop unit categories a year ago. English’s plight is a reminder that aspiring head coaches ought to be careful what they wish for; we’re not sure Vince Lombardi at the height of his powers could have turned things around at EMU. Grade: F

Paul Rhoads, Iowa State (12-13 SU, 13-11 ATS)...Rhoads earned plenty of kudos for his first act in Ames in 2009 when the Cyclones made a surprise bowl appearance, although things began to slip a year ago. And now that the Big XII North and South have become amalgamated, ISU cannot avoid a couple of the power teams that had annually resided in the South portion of the loop and would mange to skip the Cyclones in the schedule rotation. Rhoads is also going to have to break in a new QB this fall after the graduation of capable pilot Austen Arnaud. Most regional observers believe that any real breakthrough might have to wait until next year, although if Rhoads manages to stabilize the program, he will likely be an inviting target for a higher-profile suitor down the road. Grade: B-

Bill Snyder, Kansas State (13-12 SU, 12-11 ATS)...Snyder’s inclusion in this list demands more explanation than Swinney’s, because the K-State mentor is technically entering his 20th year as Wildcat HC this fall. But for “Snyder II” this is season three after he reassumed command of the program in 2009 following a three-year hiatus. To this point Snyder has returned some of the luster to K-State after it began to go sideways for Ron Prince, returning the Cats to the bowl mix for the first time since 2006 a year ago. Snyder’s defense have sprung a lot of leaks the past two seasons, however, and to this point KSU does not look as if it is going to threaten to enter the national rankings anytime soon. Snyder, however, still walks on water in Manhattan after revitalizing the program during his first stint, and the Cat supporters remain enthused that the program at least seems to be on solid footing once more. Grade: B

Dan Mullen, Mississippi State (14-11 SU, 13-11 ATS)...No matter the accomplishments of “classmates” Gene Chizik at Auburn or Chip Kelly at Oregon, we’re not sure there isn’t a more in-demand coach from the 2009 group than Mullen, who quickly turned the MSU program inside-out after the failed Sly Croom regime. Mullen, Urban Meyer’s o.c. at Florida, immediately upgraded the Bulldog strike force, and things came together rather quickly in Starkville, evidenced by last year‘s 9-4 mark and 52-14 Gator Bowl demolition of Michigan. Mullen now gets mention for every high-profile job opening in the country; rest assured if the Bulldogs win again this fall (which they should with exciting Chris Relf back at QB), Mullen will be in the mix if job openings occur at Penn State, Ohio State, Texas, or anywhere else of note. Grade: A

Mike Locksley, New Mexico (2-22 SU, 9-15 ATS)...Locksley is fortunate that New Mexico hasn’t had the funds to trigger a buyout of his contract, which at most locales would have been terminated long ago. Or that Lobo fans aren’t South American soccer supporters, in which case Locksley might have to fear for his personal safety. Locksley got off on the wrong foot in Albuquerque in 2009 when the target of a sex and age discrimination lawsuit within the Lobo football department, then became involved in a punch-out with assistant coach J.B. Gerald early in his first season. Hard as it is to believe, things have managed to go further downhill since, as Locksley’s demolition of the New Mexico program has been complete. We suspect Lobo Nation is wondering why on earth it was so anxious to force predecessor Rocky Long out the door a few years ago. Grade: F

DeWayne Walker, New Mexico State (5-21 SU, 9-14-1 ATS)...Like Ron English at Eastern Michigan, Walker’s plight at NMSU might be another of those “be careful what you wish for” scenarios. Similar to EMU, Las Cruces has been a graveyard for coaches over several decades, and the Aggies have done little to indicate they are about to turn the corner for Walker, whose contribution to NMSU has been to make the Aggies unspeakably dull to watch. At this stage, WAC sources are just wondering if Walker might be permanently derailing his career by taking this thankless assignment, although he still seems in demand as a defensive coordinator, courted by several teams to assume that role (including Pete Carroll with the NFL Seahawks) since taking over in Las Cruces. Get out of there while you can, DeWayne. Grade: D-

Chip Kelly, Oregon (22-4 SU, 15-11 SU)...We’re not sure we’ve ever seen a successor plan go quite as swimmingly as it has at Oregon, where Kelly was the offensive coordinator and coach-in-waiting for Mike Bellotti’s last couple of years in charge. Since taking over in 2009, the Ducks have scaled to even greater heights, just one play away from the national crown last season against Auburn in the BCS title game after making it to the Rose Bowl the previous season. Along the way, UO’s Star Wars offense has become the gold standard in college football. There might be some storm clouds on the horizon, as dreaded recruiting irregularities come into focus, but unless the authorities throw the book at Oregon, it looks like full steam ahead for the Ducks. Grade: A

Danny Hope, Purdue (9-15 SU, 10-13-1 ATS)...They’re getting a little anxious in West Lafayette, as the Purdue program has yet to ignite for Hope, who was brought on board from Eastern Kentucky as the “coach-in-waiting” during Joe Tiller’s last season in 2008. Hope had previously served on Tiller’s staff as the OL coach, including the Boilermakers’ Rose Bowl year in 2000. There have been a few highlights (such as an upset win over Ohio State in 2009) but no bowls or a winning record since Hope took control. A rash of injuries that forced three different QBs into the starting lineup made it easier to grant Hope a mulligan last season, but Purdue Nation wants to see some progress this fall. Watch the QB situation, where Rob Henry, Robert Marve, and Caleb TerBush offer some intriguing possibilities. Grade: C-

Doug Marrone, Syracuse (12-13 SU, 14-10 ATS)...This hire was met with some skepticism two years ago as Marrone, an NFL assistant with the Saints and an Orange alum but never before a head coach, drew some ire from the Syracuse support base. But it looks as if AD Daryl Gross hit the jackpot after swinging and missing wildly with predecessor Greg Robinson, who decimated the program the previous four years when winning all of ten games. In Marrone’s second year, he took Syracuse to a bowl for the first time since Paul Pasqualoni’s last season in 2004. The return of sr. QB Ryan Nassib and expected solid play along both lines make it likely the Orange return to the bowl mix once more. Grade: A-

Tim Beckman, Toledo (13-12 SU, 12-13 ATS)...Quietly, Beckman has done one of the best jobs in the Class of 2009, especially considering the troubled state of the Rocket program he inherited from Tom Amstutz. But Toledo seems on the ascent once more after last season’s bowl appearance, and prospects look good for 2011 with seventeen starters (nine on offense, eight on defense) back in the fold, including a pair of capable QBs in Austin Dantin and Terrance Owens. One of the preseason favorites in the MAC and likely to go “bowling” again this season, in which case the Rockets may have trouble keeping Beckman in the fold. Grade: A

Gary Andersen, Utah State (8-16 SU, 13-10 ATS)...Reviews are still mostly positive for Andersen, even though his Utags didn’t quite detonate as many expected them to last season. WAC sources report Andersen, who came to Logan from Utah where he served as the Utes’ defensive coordinator, has now assumed more of an active role with the Aggie stop unit, which disappointed in 2010 when allowing 34 ppg. Andersen began the switch to 3-4 looks in the spring and began to move some of his better athletes from offense to the stop unit; stay tuned for further developments. Replacing 3-year starting QB Diondre Borel will also be a challenge for the offense. The jury is still out on this hire, but if Andersen should ever win in Logan, expect him to make a quick getaway, as did the few coaches who have succeeded in the past at USU (such as John Ralston, John L. Smith, and Charlie Weatherbie). Grade: C+

Steve Sarkisian, Washington (12-13 SU, 13-12 ATS)...Compared to the likes of Gene Chizik or Chip Kelly, Sarkisian’s accomplishments at U-Dub seem rather modest. But we don’t think any coach has done a better reconstruction job, considering the carcass of a program “Sark” inherited from predecessor Ty Willingham, whose regime bottomed out with an 0-12 mark in 2008. The Huskies are back, with recruiting on the upswing and the school’s first bowl win in 10 years (an impressive revenge number done on Nebraska in last December’s Holiday Bowl) in the bank. Pac-12 sources suggest that 2012 is the year U-Dub might really blossom, but for now Sarkisian seems to have things back on track in Seattle...in a big way. Grade: A

Dave Christensen, Wyoming (10-15 SU, 14-10 ATS)...The parallels between Christensen and another Mountain West coach, Colorado State’s Steve Fairchild, are a topic of discussion in the Rockies. Especially so after Christensen’s second Wyo team collapsed to 3-9, much as Fairchild’s CSU had done the year before in his second year on the job. In both cases, some are wondering if bowl bids earned in each coach’s first seasons were false alarms. For Christensen’s sake, he ought to hope the comparisons stop, because the Cowboys have no desire to match the Rams’ 3-9 mark a year ago in Fairchild’s third season on the job. The transfer of QB Austyn Carta-Samuels, however, means that Christensen, who arrived at Wyo from a successful stint as Missouri’s offensive coordinator, likely goes to battle with either a true frosh (Brett Smith) or RS frosh (Emory Miller) at QB when the season begins. Ongoing depth concerns mean that Christensen and every Wyo coach walk a thin line each season; the jury is still out in Laramie. Grade: B-

**StarDust Bum** · 07-27-2011, 07:34 PM

College Football Returning Starters

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2011 College Football Returning Starters Chart
SEC RS - Ov RS - Of RS - De RS - St
Vanderbilt 21 11 QB 8 2
Alabama 19 7 10 2
Kentucky 18 6 10 2
Mississippi State 17 9 QB 7 K
Arkansas 15 6 7 2
Louisiana State 15 8 QB 7 0
Mississippi 15 9 4 2
Georgia 14 5 QB 7 2
South Carolina 13 7 QB 6 0
Tennessee 13 7 QB 6 0
Florida 10 6 QB 4 0
Auburn 6 3 3 0
BIG 12 RS - Ov RS - Of RS - De RS - St
Texas A&M 20 10 QB 8 2
Oklahoma 18 8 QB 8 2
Missouri 16 9 6 K
Kansas 15 7 QB 8 0
Baylor 15 9 QB 5 K
Oklahoma State 15 9 QB 5 P/K
Texas Tech 14 7 7 0
Iowa State 14 5 7 2
Kansas State 14 6 7 P
Texas 13 6 QB 6 P/K
BIG TEN RS - Ov RS - Of RS - De RS - St
Michigan 18 9 QB 7 2
Purdue 18 7 QB 9 2
Northwestern 17 9 QB 7 P
Penn State 15 7 QB 7 P
Minnesota 15 6 8 P
Wisconsin 14 6 6 2
Indiana 14 6 6 2
Illinois 14 7 QB 6 K
Ohio State 13 8 QB 4 P
Michigan State 13 6 QB 6 K
Nebraska 12 5 QB 7 0
Iowa 10 5 4 K
PAC 12 RS - Ov RS - Of RS - De RS - St
UCLA 18 9 QB 8 P
Washington 17 7 8 2
Colorado 17 9 QB 7 P
Arizona State 16 8 7 P
Washington State 15 7 QB 8 0
California 14 7 5 2
Oregon 13 6 QB 5 2
Utah 13 7 QB 5 P
Oregon State 13 8 QB 4 P
Southern California 13 6 QB 7 0
Stanford 12 5 QB 6 P
Arizona 11 5 QB 5 K
ACC RS - Ov RS - Of RS - De RS - St
Virginia 20 8 10 2
Florida State 18 8 8 2
Wake Forest 18 8 QB 9 K
Duke 16 8 QB 6 2
Clemson 16 9 5 2
Boston College 16 9 QB 5 2
North Carolina 15 6 7 2
Maryland 14 7 QB 7 0
Miami (Fla.) 14 7 QB 7 0
Georgia Tech 13 7 5 P
North Carolina State 13 5 8 0
Virginia Tech 12 7 5 0
BIG EAST RS - Ov RS - Of RS - De RS - St
Connecticut 18 7 9 2
Cincinnati 16 5 QB 10 P
Rutgers 15 9 QB 5 K
Syracuse 14 8 QB 5 K
West Virginia 13 8 QB 4 K
South Florida 13 5 QB 6 2
Pittsburgh 13 5 QB 8 0
Louisville 11 3 7 P/K
MOUNTAIN WEST RS - Ov RS - Of RS - De RS - St
New Mexico 17 6 QB 9 2
Colorado State 16 8 QB 6 2
Wyoming 15 7 7 P
San Diego State 15 8 QB 5 2
Air Force 15 6 QB 8 K
Boise State 14 7 QB 7 0
UNLV 12 7 4 K
Texas Christian 10 3 5 2
WAC RS - Ov RS - Of RS - De RS - St
San Jose State 19 7 11 P/K
New Mexico State 18 9 7 2
Louisiana Tech 15 6 7 2
Utah State 14 9 5 0
Idaho 14 4 8 2
Nevada 13 5 7 K
Fresno State 12 5 5 2
Hawaii 10 3 QB 6 P
MID AMERICAN RS - Ov RS - Of RS - De RS - St
Toledo 20 9 QB 9 2
Ball State 18 10 QB 7 P
Miami (Ohio) 18 8 QB 9 P
Western Michigan 17 7 QB 8 2
Kent State 16 9 QB 5 2
Eastern Michigan 15 6 QB 7 2
Central Michigan 15 8 QB 6 K
Akron 15 6 QB 8 P
Bowling Green 14 7 QB 7 0
Temple 13 7 QB 5 P/K
Ohio 13 7 4 2
Buffalo 12 8 QB 3 P
Northern Illinois 10 8 QB 2 0
CONFERENCE USA RS - Ov RS - Of RS - De RS - St
Rice 19 9 QB 8 2
Tulsa 19 10 QB 8 K
Southern Methodist 18 10 QB 8 0
UAB 17 7 QB 9 P
Marshall 16 5 9 2
Southern Mississippi 16 7 QB 7 2
Tulane 16 6 QB 8 2
Houston 14 6 QB 6 2
East Carolina 14 6 QB 6 2
Texas-El Paso 13 2 9 2
Central Florida 11 6 QB 4 K
Memphis 11 3 6 2
INDEPENDENT RS - Ov RS - Of RS - De RS - St
Notre Dame 19 9 QB 8 2
BYU 17 10 QB 5 2
Army 12 6 QB 5 K
Navy 10 7 3 0
SUN BELT RS - Ov RS - Of RS - De RS - St
Louisiana-Monroe 19 10 QB 7 2
Western Kentucky 17 7 QB 8 2
Florida International 17 8 QB 7 2
Arkansas State 15 6 QB 7 2
North Texas 14 5 7 2
La.-Lafayette 14 6 QB 7 P/K
Troy 14 5 QB 8 P
Florida Atlantic 13 7 5 P
Middle Tennessee 12 7 3 2

Announcement

2011 College Football Win Totals Are Out !

2011 College Football Win Totals Are Out !

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