Grading The New CFB Coaching Hires

SI Staff | Jan 21, 2011

Grading The New CFB Coaching Hires /

Grading The New CFB Coaching Hires

David Shaw, Stanford

Given the success of Jim Harbaugh's program and the return of star quarterback Andrew Luck, it makes perfect sense for the Cardinal to promote from within. Plus, Shaw is a Cardinal alum who's far less likely to jump to a higher-profile job like Harbaugh. It's a bit risky only in that Shaw is only 38 and the school probably could have landed someone with more experience, but he seems well prepared.

Kevin Wilson, Indiana

Wilson represents the best of all worlds for the long-dormant Hoosiers. He brings the experience of having spent the past nine years working for a perennial BCS contender. He has Big Ten and Midwest familiarity from his time at Northwestern and Miami (Ohio). And he's an acclaimed offensive coordinator who will maximize Indiana's underrated skill talent.Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/stewart_mandel/01/19/coaching-football-grades/index.html#ixzz1BbpLSHoY

Brady Hoke, Michigan

While Jim Harbaugh would have been an A , Hoke is very much what Michigan needs in the wake of the polarizing Rich Rodriguez era: An old-school Midwesterner with ties to the program (he served on Lloyd Carr's staff for eight years) who happens to have impressive credentials. Anyone that can win 12 games at Ball State and make San Diego State relevant again knows how to build a program.

Al Golden, Miami

You would think a school with five national titles could land a bigger name, but nevertheless, Golden has the makings of a potential star. What he accomplished at Temple was nothing short of miraculous. The program was an abomination, both on the field and off, upon his arrival; four years later, the Owls were in a bowl game. Look for him to tap into his East Coast recruiting well.

James Franklin, Vanderbilt

Vandy made no effort to hide its pursuit of renowned Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, leaving Franklin dangling for several days. Once hired, though, Franklin showed tremendous enthusiasm for what will be a daunting challenge. It's hard to gauge much from his time at Maryland, but the school's previous administration thought highly enough of him to name him Ralph Friedgen's head coach in waiting.

Will Muschamp, Florida

Jeremy Foley wasted no time following Urban Meyer's resignation going out and landing one of the hottest young names in the biz. Muschamp fits a similar profile to former Florida defensive coordinator Bob Stoops at the time Oklahoma hired him. He knows how to recruit and motivate. (* -- The B grade got downgraded from a B after Muschamp's bizarre hiring of Charlie Weis as offensive coordinator.)

Jerry Kill, Minnesota

If any program could have desperately used a big-splash hire to energize the fan base, it's Minnesota, and AD Joel Maturi all but promised as much. Thus, the letdown when he announced the unglamorous Kill. That being said, Kill was a perennial I-AA playoff coach and took NIU to three straight bowls. He'll turn the Gophers into a consistent bowl team as well.

Paul Pasqualoni, UConn

I'm not as down on this hire as some. Pasqualoni had a successful 14-year run at Syracuse, where he went 73-34 in Big East play. He's extremely connected throughout the Northeast, which is essential at a school like UConn. The downside, of course, is that he's 62 and seven years removed from college coaching. His hiring is essentially an admission that the program has a ceiling.

Randy Edsall, Maryland

Edsall is a good coach, but he doesn't seem to remotely fit AD Kevin Anderson's stated intent to bring in a guy (cough, cough, Mike Leach) who would help fill the stands. Edsall, fresh off taking the 8-4 Huskies to the Fiesta Bowl, seems no more accomplished than the man he replaced, Ralph Friedgen. However, he's unlikely to bomb. He'll win games. It's less certain he'll contend for conference titles.Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/stewart_mandel/01/19/coaching-football-grades/index.html#ixzz1BbqIWAyG

Todd Graham, Pittsburgh

Forced to scramble after having to fire original choice Mike Haywood, Pitt didn't have a lot of attractive options. Graham may well have made the biggest possible splash what with his high-powered offenses and three 10-win seasons at Tulsa. But the first two of those came with Gus Malzahn as his coordinator, the latter with Malzahn disciple Chad Morris. Without either, the Hurricane went 5-7 in 2009.

Jon Embree, Colorado

Cash-strapped CU, rejected by the likes of Mike Bellotti, decided to reconnect with its past by bringing in former star and assistant Embree, overlooking the fact he's never been even a college offensive coordinator. Nor has his new offensive coordinator, former Buffs star Eric Bienemy. Another CU great, new defensive line coach Kanavis McGhee, most recently coached at Gannon (Pa.) University. Good luck with that.

Published Jan 21, 2011

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