New CFB Coaches
By Dan The Man Leach
Host of The
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It is never too early to start thinking about college football, the pageantry, the passion, the brilliance. Over the next month or so, I will count down the top 10 stories of the college football offseason and look ahead to the new season. Today, at No. 7, a look at teams that have new head coaches and new hope for a winning season or return to prominence.
The Big Schools
Colorado-(Old Coach)-Gary Barnett-(New Coach)-Dan Hawkins
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To Win The Bcs National Title)-125-1: This was by far the biggest coaching change of the year as the embattled Barnett finally left Boulder and one of the hottest coaching candidates in years, Hawkins comes in. Look for the results to show immediately as Hawkins is one of the best football minds in the country, and his scheme is just what the Buffs need to reclaim their glory in the Big 12.
Kansas State-(Bill Snyder)-Ron Prince-200-1: Snyder took this team from one of the worst programs in college football to a true national power for a stretch. His legacy will never be forgotten, and Prince has Kansas roots and will look to bridge the gap between the immortal Snyder and the fans in Manhattan who might not know just how important Snyder was to this program. Look for the ‘Cats to turn some heads right off the bat as Prince’s first recruiting class has some blue-chippers that will make this team a scoring threat from Day 1.
Wisconsin-(Barry Alvarez)-Bret Bielema-70-1: Speaking of legends, Alvarez is the Bill Snyder of the Midwest/Big Ten. Bielema is a Big Ten guy and a defensive-minded guy, so Alvarez fans will fall in love with him right away. The Badgers will definitely need to reinvent themselves as much of their success was due to Alvarez’s amazing ability to recruit, but at 36 Bielema is already viewed as a uniter who can sell water to the ocean and is committed to keeping things fresh in Madison.
Big Coach On Campus
San Diego State-(Tom Craft)-Chuck Long-45-1: A familiar football name takes over a program that has been anything but familiar on the national stage since a guy named Faulk played RB there. Long has been groomed for the past several years under Bob Stoops at Oklahoma to take over a program, and it could not have come at a better time for the Aztecs. Long was on board for the Sooners’ national title in 2000 and immediately brings credibility to the recruiting process because of that. It will be sooner (no pun intended), rather than later when we see the Aztecs making some waves nationally again.
Boise State-(Dan Hawkins)-Chris Peterson- 45-1: Hawkins built a national power on that blue turf in Boise, and Peterson will pick up right were Hawkins left off. He was the offensive coordinator and QB coach for the past five seasons under Hawkins, and many feel he has what it takes to keep pushing the Broncos higher and higher to BCS legitimacy. Look for Boise to continue to score in bunches and continue to schedule some of the toughest teams that dare play on the blue turf.
Temple-(Bobby Wallace)-Al Golden-45-1: One of the worst teams in recent I-A history has nowhere to go but up. The Owls are slated to join the MAC in 2007, but could be banished out of Division I-A altogether if they don’t get their attendance up. Golden has been a hot name in coaching the past couple of seasons, and the Temple AD is hoping that he has found the Rocky Balboa that this program needs desperately. Rocky’s odds were never has dismal as Temple’s, however.
Rice-(Ken Hatfield)-Todd Graham-45-1: The Owls have had their struggles for years now, but Graham is the kind of football mind and talent who could lead Rice out of the doldrums and into respectability in Conference USA. It has been 45 years since Rice was invited to a bowl game, but with Graham knowing the Texas landscape it shouldn’t be nearly as long as it once seemed for Rice to go bowling. Look for this team to make a gradual climb over this season to moderate respectability in C-USA.
Tragedy
Northwestern-(Randy Walker-Deceased)- Patrick Fitzgerald-45-1: Fitzgerald, 31, a former Wildcats linebacker, becomes the youngest head coach in Division I-A due to very tough circumstances as he takes over for Walker, who passed away from a heart attack at 52. Fitzgerald is loved by the players, the fans and the university and has a great opportunity to celebrate the legacy of Coach Walker as the 2006 season will be played in his memory. This may be a few years early before Fitzgerald was ready to become a head coach, but he has the talent, passion and desire to take the Wildcats to heights rarely reached before. Look for Northwestern to play truly inspired football all season in the tough and deep Big Ten.