The 2019 college football season provided another reminder that coaching stocks are more volatile than ever.
Florida State's Willie Taggart and Arkansas' Chad Morris both lost their jobs after 21 and 22 games, respectively. Appalachian State's Eliah Drinkwitz, meanwhile, needed only 13 games as an FBS head coach to land an SEC job, increasing his salary from $750,000 to $4 million practically overnight by moving to Missouri.
In January, Jeff Hafley came to Ohio State as the team's "other" defensive coordinator, a fairly unknown NFL assistant. A week ago, he was introduced as Boston College's head coach.
Things change quickly in the coaching world, so before they change again, here's a look at the coaches who raised their stock the most this season. I limited the group to coaches and coordinators who aren't yet leading Tier 1 programs, so while Ohio State's Ryan Day and LSU's Ed Orgeron undoubtedly boosted their stocks -- as did new Florida State coach Mike Norvell -- they're already in destination jobs.
Power 5 head coaches
Matt Rhule, Baylor: There's a reason NFL teams interviewed Rhule for vacancies the past two winters, even though he went 1-11 two years ago at Baylor and entered this season with a 36-40 overall record as an FBS coach. Rhule is well-regarded in the industry but validated those beliefs this season by guiding Baylor, barely three years removed from a major scandal, to 11 wins and the Big 12 championship game. Rhule, 44, now has reached 10 wins or more three times in the past five years (two at Temple, one at Baylor). In September, he received a contract extension through the 2027 season. He likely will have NFL opportunities again, and will be on the short list for major college openings in what should be a more active 2020 cycle.
P.J. Fleck, Minnesota: He's no longer just the "Row the Boat" guy, although that motto and other things about Fleck are often misunderstood. Fleck's on-field accomplishments, first at Western Michigan and now Minnesota, have boosted his profile. Minnesota started 9-0 for the first time since 1904, won 10 regular-season games for the first time since 1905, won four Big Ten games by 20 points or more for the first time since 1934 and earned its highest CFP ranking (No. 8) and its highest Associated Press Poll ranking (No. 7) since 1932. Fleck, 39, has created genuine momentum for the program, and a new contract extension signed in November should keep him in place through at least 2020.
Chris Klieman, Kansas State: After North Dakota State won four FCS national titles in five years, Klieman's ability to succeed was never in doubt. But few outside the Little Apple envisioned so much success in Year 1, as Kansas State won eight games, including a 48-41 upset of Oklahoma, the Sooners' only loss. Klieman, who beat out Mike Norvell for the job, smoothly transitioned to the FBS and brought a philosophy that immediately resonated at Kansas State. He set the team record for wins by a first-year coach. Although Klieman seems set at K-State for the foreseeable future, he could become an intriguing option for higher-profile programs. At minimum, he should improve the job outlook for other strong FCS coaches.
Scott Satterfield, Louisville: Like Klieman, Satterfield arrived with a strong reputation but seemed likely to struggle in Year 1 at his new job. Instead, Louisville improved its win total by five games and earned a Music City Bowl berth. Satterfield, 46, navigated the two-pronged task of transforming Louisville's locker room and team culture, which had soured under his predecessor, while still competing on the field. The Cardinals beat Coastal Division champion Virginia as well as three other bowl-bound teams. Satterfield, who earned ACC Coach of the Year honors, seems set in Louisville for a while but could soon have opportunities, especially if next year brings more significant turnover in the SEC.
Tom Allen, Indiana: This season felt pivotal for Allen, not in the hot seat sense but in the get-over-the-hump sense. There had been subtle signs of progress in his first two seasons, but consecutive 5-7 records reinforced the perception that Indiana wouldn't take the next step. Then the Hoosiers won eight games for the first time since 1993 and earned their first AP Top 25 ranking since 1994. A Gator Bowl win over Tennessee would mark IU's first nine-win season since 1967. Indiana wisely awarded a new contract to Allen, 49, who had been the Big Ten's lowest-paid coach. It's unlikely Allen leaves IU anytime soon, but another eight-win season or two could get others interested, especially with his ties to the Southeast.
Group of 5 coaches
Sonny Dykes, SMU: He has rebooted his career at a place that fits him perfectly. In Year 2 at SMU, Dykes guided the Mustangs to their first 10-win season since 1984 and reached plenty of other pre-death penalty milestones along the way. Dykes, 50, took a roster featuring 60 new players, including quarterback Shane Buechele and many other key transfers, and started 8-0. The season only reinforced that Dykes' struggles at Cal were more indicative of him being a bad fit than a bad coach. He could remain at SMU for a while but will be a candidate when Big 12 jobs start opening again, especially in Texas.
Eliah Drinkwitz (from Appalachian State to Missouri): He undoubtedly took over a surging program from Satterfield, who had won 40 games in the previous four seasons. But Drinkwitz elevated the program even more, as Appalachian State recorded its first Power 5 win since the 2007 upset at Michigan, and then tacked on another, becoming the first Sun Belt team to take down two power-conference foes. Only 36, Drinkwitz has quickly established himself as one of the sport's most intelligent and creative playcallers. Now he gets a chance to spark Missouri's program.
Will Healy, Charlotte: Healy already gained traction after rehabbing Austin Peay, quite possibly the nation's worst Division I program. The 34-year-old immediately injected energy at Charlotte, leading the 49ers to their first bowl appearance and a 7-5 regular-season record. Power 5 schools are increasingly more comfortable hiring head coaches in their 30s, and Healy would come in with more experience than most. Continued success at Charlotte will put him in the mix for ACC and SEC openings.
Sean Lewis, Kent State: He's another really young coach (33) who has already made his mark at one of the toughest FBS jobs. After going 2-10 last year, Lewis led Kent State to only its fourth bowl game and its first bowl victory, as the Golden Flashes outlasted Utah State 51-41. The longtime Dino Babers assistant has brought a uniquely exciting offense to the MAC. Lewis, a former Wisconsin tight end and a Chicago native, could soon be a target for Big Ten schools.
Jim McElwain, Central Michigan: Looking back, McElwain's tenure at Florida was more weird than bad, as he guided the Gators to two SEC East titles and went 22-12. This season showed that McElwain can still lead a program, especially at a place where he's clearly a better fit. Coach Mac won MAC Coach of the Year -- his third honor in as many leagues -- and guided the Chippewas, who went 1-11 in 2018, to eight wins and a West Division title. While I don't see him leaving for many Power 5 jobs, a spot like Washington State makes sense if Mike Leach ever moves on.
Billy Napier, Louisiana: Although he didn't land one of the SEC vacancies, he continued to strengthen his profile as a potential future SEC head coach. Napier, 40, followed a division title in his first season with another this fall, and led the Ragin' Cajuns to their first 10-win campaign. The former Alabama and Clemson assistant who grew up in Georgia should be a strong candidate in what figures to be a more active coaching cycle in 2020. If jobs like South Carolina or Mississippi State open, Napier should have a good chance.
Nick Rolovich, Hawai'i: He's not just the guy who brings Elvis impersonators and fortune-tellers to media days and maintains a Twitter account that rivals Lane Kiffin's for entertainment value. "Rolo" can coach, as he showed this fall in guiding Hawai'i to a division title and two wins over Pac-12 opponents. Rolovich, 40, is 17-11 the past two seasons at one of the toughest FBS jobs (despite the surroundings). He'll need an open-minded athletic director and president to take a chance on him, but he would be a great fit at certain Pac-12 schools that need a boost.
Ken Niumatalolo, Navy and Troy Calhoun, Air Force: They're grouped together because both went 10-2 this season after brief drop-offs. (Navy went 3-10 last season and 7-6 the year before; Air Force recorded consecutive 5-7 records.) They're also together because both fight the service academy label, which has hurt them in landing Power 5 jobs. How much better would Arizona be if it had hired Niumatalolo instead of pivoting to Kevin Sumlin (9-15 with the Wildcats)? Calhoun drew interest for the Missouri job but, like Army's Jeff Monken, couldn't excite the board enough. Someday, schools will wise up and hire these guys.
Power 5 coordinators
Joe Brady, LSU: I can't recall a non-coordinator having anywhere near the impact Brady had at LSU this season. Although the Broyles Award winner defers the credit to veteran offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger, his passing-game concepts from the NFL helped LSU become virtually unstoppable behind Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Joe Burrow, Biletnikoff Award winner Ja'Marr Chase and others. Brady's age (30) and experience level are the only things preventing him from becoming a head coach right now, but another strong season at LSU will bring offers.
Jeff Hafley (from Ohio State to Boston College): The parallels between Hafley and Ryan Day are striking. Day also came to Ohio State from the NFL as a fairly unknown assistant to complement an established coordinator (Kevin Wilson). Day's impact with quarterbacks J.T. Barrett and Dwayne Haskins boosted the offense, while Hafley's work with cornerback Jeff Okudah and others in a shaky secondary helped fuel Ohio State's run to the CFP. Hafley, 40, also quickly showed the leadership and personality needed to run a program. Boston College noticed and hired him to replace Steve Addazio.
Graham Harrell, USC: He took a chance by coming to USC, where he replaced the short-tenured Kliff Kingsbury and worked for a coach (Clay Helton) on the hottest of seats. But Harrell's gamble on himself paid off. Last week he received a three-year, $3.6 million contract to remain with the Trojans. Harrell, 34, developed freshman quarterback Kedon Slovis and oversaw the nation's No. 5 pass offense. He's only four years removed from being a position coach at Washington State, but should draw head-coaching interest with another good year at USC in 2020.
Kalen DeBoer (from Indiana to Fresno State): He's a great example of a coach who came up through college football's lower divisions (NAIA, FCS) who simply needed an opportunity at the highest level. After helping turn around Eastern Michigan and Fresno State as offensive coordinator, DeBoer orchestrated significant improvement in Indiana's offense this fall. When Fresno State coach Jeff Tedford stepped down for health reasons, DeBoer was the obvious replacement, and last week landed the job.
Dan Lanning, Georgia: Unlike the other assistants listed, Lanning isn't a first-year coach at Georgia, but he stepped into the defensive coordinator role this season and excelled. He added pressure elements to Kirby Smart's scheme and produced a defense that ranks in the top 5 nationally in points allowed, yards per play allowed, rushing yards allowed and first downs allowed. The Broyles Award finalist should be in the mix for head-coaching opportunities in 2020.
Alex Grinch, Oklahoma: Hired to upgrade one of the nation's flimsiest defenses, Grinch delivered this fall as Oklahoma rose from 114th in yards allowed to 25th, from 129th in passing yards allowed to 24th, from 118th in third-down conversions allowed to eighth, and from 101st in points allowed to 50th. His work both at Oklahoma and Washington State validates Grinch as a premier DC. He should receive significant head-coaching interest in the 2020 cycle.