The theme of the 2021-22 college football coaching carousel has been speed.
Firings are happening quickly, and so are hirings. Like the carousel itself, the coaching grades are also coming in hot. Several factors go into the grades, most importantly how a certain coach fits the program he's set to lead. A lot of talented coaches are being fired in this cycle, partly because they didn't fit the job as well as their schools initially thought. Ask any administrator, agent or coach about the carousel and they will mention the fit factor.
Most coaching grades also trend toward the positive, which reflects the optimism surrounding every new coaching hire. You won't see D or F grades here, unless a school's hiring process is completely broken. I believe in giving every coach a fair chance, but some hires are questionable choices from the outset, and they will be reflected as such.
Grades will be updated throughout the coaching carousel as hires are finalized.
POWER 5
Oregon
2021 coach: Mario Cristobal (left Dec. 6 to become Oregon head coach)
Replacement: Dan Lanning, previously Georgia defensive coordinator
Grade: B
The Brian Kelly and Lincoln Riley moves will define this historic coaching carousel, but the most fascinating move of the cycle could end up being Lanning. Oregon had interviewed several FBS coaches for the position -- Cal's Justin Wilcox and BYU's Kalani Sitake -- and even entertained the idea of bringing UCLA's Chip Kelly back to Westwood. In the end, though, Oregon went with Lanning, a 35-year-old assistant who had worked under Kirby Smart at Georgia and came up under Todd Graham at Pitt and Arizona State. Lanning's stock soared this season as Georgia's defense put up historic numbers, and his name surfaced in the recent Oklahoma coaching search.
I spoke to a Power 5 assistant close to Lanning who told me if given the opportunity, he had the charisma to win over Oklahoma's brass. Instead, Lanning got the chance at Oregon and beat out several older, more accomplished coaches for the job. He's an excellent recruiter who has a chance to maintain the momentum Cristobal started with the Ducks. Like Cristobal, Lanning also brings knowledge from the SEC to Oregon, but he also spent time in the Pac-12 as Arizona State's recruiting coordinator in 2013. His offensive staff hires are critical, especially since Lanning inherits a CFP-caliber team. Oregon took a bit of a gamble here, but I wouldn't be surprised if it pays off in a big way.
Duke
2021 coach: David Cutcliffe (reached mutual separation agreement with school on Nov. 28)
Replacement: Mike Elko, previously Texas A&M defensive coordinator
Grade: A
Elko has been ready to lead his own program for some time, rising to the top of the sport's coordinator ranks at Notre Dame and then Texas A&M. He ultimately seemed best suited for a Power 5 program with an academic lean. Enter Duke. Elko, 44, played at Penn and understands the type of players Duke recruits. He also won't shy away from the challenges that come at smaller, private schools competing with larger institutions. His experience alongside Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson -- not only at Wake but three other programs -- should serve Elko extremely well as he takes over one of the more challenging Power 5 programs.
Duke certainly needs an upgrade on defense and Elko's scheme and player development approach should supply one. There will be the standard adjustments for a first-time head coach, but Elko has been around good ones in Clawson, Brian Kelly and Jimbo Fisher. Duke had a wide range of candidates -- including odd choices like Jason Garrett -- but ended up with a really good choice in Elko.
Virginia
2021 coach: Bronco Mendenhall (voluntarily stepping down after Virginia's bowl game)
Replacement: Tony Elliott, previously Clemson offensive coordinator
Grade: A-
Like a lot of things with Elliott, the hiring process was very deliberate, but he finally decided to take a head-coaching position after 11 seasons at Clemson, his alma mater. The good news is he should elevate Virginia's profile in the ACC. Elliott, an excellent student who earned an engineering degree at Clemson, will connect well at an academically elite school such as Virginia, which has a smaller recruiting pool than many large public institutions. He knows the ACC very well and brings an incredible resume as an offensive play-caller, which includes two national titles with two different quarterbacks (Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence).
The question that has always lingered over Elliott is how he will translate to the head-coaching role. He has spent his entire coaching career in one state, South Carolina, where he also attended college. Elliott, 42, is finally leaving familiar surroundings and a familiar boss in Dabo Swinney to run his own show, at a program with less resources and tradition than Clemson. Although Virginia is stepping up its facilities commitment, Elliott must try to elevate a program that has won more than eight games just once since 2007. Elliott is more of a reserved, cerebral personality, which doesn't always translate to the head coach's office. But he really fits this job well.
Miami
2021 coach: Manny Diaz (fired on Dec. 6)
Replacement: Mario Cristobal, previously Oregon head coach
Grade: A-
The U got its man. Miami's mechanism might have been messy and brash, but the program ended up with the coach it has coveted to restore the glory. The hiring of Cristobal, combined with long-overdue financial commitments to upgrade the program, gives Miami a chance to become nationally relevant again. Cristobal, 51, is not only a connection to Miami's elite past who will galvanize former players and fans, he also brings in two Pac-12 championships at Oregon and a recruiting profile that places him among the nation's very best head coaches. Few head coaches are as tenacious as Cristobal when it comes to recruiting. He undoubtedly will make an immediate impact with Miami-area recruits, and enhance some of the progress Diaz made on the trail. No top-level FBS coach is more connected to the city and to the university.
So why isn't this a full-on A-grade? Cristobal's in-game coaching remains a concern, and the end to his Oregon tenure -- two noncompetitive losses to Utah in three games -- can't be ignored. He will put together great rosters at Miami. But will he have the game-day chops to get Miami to the CFP and ultimately to its first national title since 2001? There's enough evidence from his time at Oregon to be a bit leery of his Saturday skills. His staff hires will be important, and he has a good track record of bringing in quality assistants.
Oklahoma
2021 coach: Lincoln Riley (left to become USC head coach)
Replacement: Brent Venables, previously Clemson defensive coordinator
Grade: B+
History is on Oklahoma's side, as the program has had great success promoting assistants or hiring them from the outside. Venables is a mix of both, technically an outsider but a top Oklahoma defensive assistant from 1999 to 2011 under Bob Stoops. He went to Clemson and became one of the nation's best defensive playcallers under coach Dabo Swinney, helping the Tigers to two national championships and six straight CFP appearances. Venables, 50, could have been a Power 5 coach by now, but his loyalty and connection to Clemson kept him there until an opportunity that he couldn't pass up surfaced. He is well-regarded in Oklahoma and will bring an approach in recruiting that should help stop the fallout from Riley's abrupt departure. Venables also has ties to the area as a Kansas native and a Kansas State player and assistant.
While I understand the Venables hire, I also wonder if Oklahoma could have aimed for more sitting head coaches in its search. Iowa State's Matt Campbell didn't seem too interested, but perhaps Luke Fickell would have been after Cincinnati's season. Could OU have waited that long? It would have been tough, no doubt. I also wonder about Venables adjusting his approach from the coach who has to be restrained from the field during games to a steadier CEO type who can delegate to his assistants. He seems to have a good plan on offense with coordinator Jeff Lebby, but there will be some adjustments to make. I do like that Oklahoma went with a defensive-minded coach, as lackluster defense clearly has prevented the Sooners from taking the next step in the national championship chase.
Notre Dame
2021 coach: Brian Kelly (left Monday to become LSU's coach)
Replacement: Marcus Freeman, previously Notre Dame defensive coordinator
Grade: A-
Analysis: I normally wouldn't give such a high grade for an internal promotion, especially a first-time head coach who has been at Notre Dame for less than a year. Although similar promotions have worked out well for other major programs -- Clemson's Dabo Swinney, Oklahoma's Lincoln Riley, Ohio State's Ryan Day -- those coaches had been in place a bit longer than Freeman at Notre Dame. Also, Notre Dame hasn't had a great history with first-time head coaches (Charlie Weis, Bob Davie). But Freeman has made an incredible, immediate impact at Notre Dame since his arrival in January, galvanizing the program's recruiting efforts and forging strong relationships with players, staff and others. He would have become a Power 5 coach in the very near future, and he could become the game's next young coaching superstar. So why would Notre Dame let him get away?
Athletic director Jack Swarbrick, speaking a day after Kelly's departure, outlined the program's stability. Notre Dame doesn't necessarily need an outsider to provide a spark this time around. Freeman's promotion and the return of several key staff members, including offensive coordinator and former Fighting Irish quarterback Tommy Rees, give Notre Dame an excellent chance to remain on a positive trajectory and eventually take the next step to contend for national titles. There will be a learning curve for Freeman, and he would be wise to surround himself with a few more veteran assistants. Notre Dame's 2022 schedule is very difficult. But Freeman could very well become the coach to build on Kelly's foundation and reach the next level.
Virginia Tech
2021 coach: Justin Fuente (parted ways with Virginia Tech on Nov. 16)
Replacement: Brent Pry, previously Penn State defensive coordinator
Grade: B+
Pry's name might not have surfaced as a Power 5 candidate for as long as other top coordinators, but he's ready to make the jump. He's completing his 11th season as a defensive coordinator under James Franklin, first at Vanderbilt and now at Penn State, where he has blossomed in recent years. PSU's stout and senior-laden defense propelled the team to a solid start and kept the Nittany Lions in games, even if the team ultimately fell short. Pry's defense-oriented philosophy and overall personality should connect well at Virginia Tech, given the program's history of success under Frank Beamer.
The only primary concern is how big a jump this will be for a first-time head coach. When the coaching carousel began, Pry seemed like a strong option for Group of 5 programs such as Louisiana. Other than for Michigan State last year, he hadn't been viewed as a top-tier candidate for many Power 5 programs. But Pry, 51, could end up being a great fit in Blacksburg, where he served as a graduate assistant from 1995 to 1998. He also made stops in neighboring states (North Carolina) and Tennessee (Memphis, Vanderbilt).
LSU
2021 coach: Ed Orgeron (LSU announced Oct. 17 he would not return in 2022)
Replacement: Brian Kelly, previously Notre Dame head coach
Grade: B+
Analysis: Kelly is a future Hall of Famer, so this grade isn't necessarily about his coaching ability. He dramatically elevated Notre Dame's program and provided a level of consistency and reliability that isn't easy to do under the constant national spotlight. He develops quarterbacks, hires good coordinators and can handle the CEO responsibilities of being the head coach at a scrutinized program. Although Notre Dame coaches are judged on national titles and he never won one in South Bend, he took the program about as far as he could. The concern is fit and whether Kelly, a Massachusetts native who has spent his entire coaching career in the Midwest, will handle the unique circumstances that come at LSU. About the only knock on Kelly at Notre Dame has surrounded recruiting and how much it fuels him. He's about to enter a league with Nick Saban, Kirby Smart, Jimbo Fisher and others who always keep the pedal down with finding prospects. LSU will expect championships soon, and he will need to repair a roster that slipped since the national championship team just two years ago. The past three LSU coaches have won national titles, and some would consider Kelly a better coach than the previous two Tigers bosses (Ed Orgeron and Les Miles). Notre Dame is a distinct environment, but so is LSU, and Kelly's ability to adjust to a completely different region will be fascinating to watch.
USC
2021 coach: Clay Helton (fired Sept. 13 after 1-1 start)
Replacement: Lincoln Riley, previously Oklahoma head coach
Grade: A
Analysis: Coaching hires often tend to generate a lot of hollow hyperbole. But this time the reaction is warranted. USC's administration deserves every accolade it receives for getting Riley to leave Oklahoma for Los Angeles. For years, USC has been doomed by insular thinking with coaching hires, and selling itself short. This time, USC sold Riley on the possibility of what the program could become with the right coach and support system in place. USC should be dominating regional recruiting and an extremely winnable Pac-12, and Riley is the right coach to restore excellence. His track record with offenses and quarterbacks is exemplary, and he will immediately make USC a top destination for QBs, especially in Southern California, an area he already recruits.
Riley inherited a great Oklahoma program from Bob Stoops and made it better in certain ways, but never won a playoff game and missed the CFP for the second consecutive season. With OU facing an uncertain future in the SEC, he jumped to USC, a program that, if things are aligned, should be dominating the West Coast and annually contending for the CFP. He provides USC the jolt it needs for fans, recruits, top donors and others in a crowded Los Angeles sporting market. USC has had several great coaches in its past, but it doesn't make coaching hires that make a splash like Riley's will.
Florida
2021 coach: Dan Mullen (fired Nov. 21 after 5-6 start)
Replacement: Billy Napier, previously Louisiana head coach
Grade: A-
Analysis: Before getting to the hiring grade, Napier deserves an A+ for working the coaching carousel to perfection. He remained with Louisiana despite multiple Power 5 inquiries in recent years, and then landed a Tier 1 job at Florida. The 42-year-old checks some of the boxes Florida needs after Mullen's tenure fell apart quickly. Napier is a strong recruiter who grew up in the Southeast and has worked at top programs such as Alabama and Clemson. He's the son of a Georgia high school coach, played college ball in South Carolina and worked in Florida as Florida State's tight ends coach in 2013, when the Seminoles won a national title under Jimbo Fisher. Napier has been around top coaches at top programs. Now he gets a chance to lead Florida, which has yet to reach the College Football Playoff.
The only major concern here is a lack of Power 5 head-coaching experience. Napier went 39-12 at Louisiana, one of the best Sun Belt programs in a state filled with FBS talent. He is likely to instantly make Florida more competitive on the recruiting trail, but how he develops players and implements his offense will be worth monitoring. He has been on the biggest stages as an assistant, but now he's competing directly with Kirby Smart, Nick Saban and others. It's a big jump for anyone, especially those who haven't led major programs before.
Washington
2021 coach: Jimmy Lake (fired Nov. 14 after 4-5 start)
Replacement: Kalen DeBoer, previously Fresno State head coach
Grade: A-
Analysis: Washington fans will have some initial disappointment, as DeBoer isn't a big name and gets the job hours after USC hired Lincoln Riley. But DeBoer could end up being an exceptional hire for a program that didn't expect to be in the market this cycle. I've been following DeBoer's career since he was offensive coordinator at Eastern Michigan, and learned about his early days, when he won three NAIA national titles and 67 of 70 games at Sioux Falls, his alma mater. Coaches know how talented he is, especially as an offensive play-caller but also with the steady way he leads programs. He won over Fresno State's Jeff Tedford and Indiana's Tom Allen as their offensive coordinator, and then replaced Tedford at Fresno.
DeBoer, 47, now must adjust to leading a Power 5 program that has seen a drop-off in recruiting and overall enthusiasm. He undoubtedly will fix Washington's offense, and run a system that appeals to recruits. But DeBoer also must assemble a staff that can keep pace with Oregon, USC and others in the Pac-12, and get Washington closer to where it was under Chris Petersen. His personality and approach should fit well in Seattle, though, especially after the problems that surfaced in Lake's brief tenure.
Washington State
2021 coach: Nick Rolovich (fired Oct. 18 for not complying with state's COVID-19 vaccine mandate)
Replacement: Jake Dickert, previously Washington State defensive coordinator/acting head coach
Grade: B+
The hire makes a lot of sense under unique and difficult circumstances. Rolovich's midseason firing had the potential to tear apart the program. Athletic director Pat Chun said the vaccine controversy had divided the close-knit Cougars fan base. Dickert brought the team together, and Washington State played well under his leadership. The Cougars finished their season with their most lopsided Apple Cup win ever over Washington, ending a seven-game losing streak in the rivalry. Dickert dramatically upgraded Washington State's defense in his second year as a coordinator, and he kept the staff united despite the firings of Rolovich and four assistants.
Washington State didn't expect to do a coaching search this year, and it likely would have been at a disadvantage in a crowded market. Dickert provides some level of continuity, and if he grows into the job as a head coach, Washington State will be better off. He wasn't on anyone's head-coaching radar before the season, and he never worked at a Power 5 program before Washington State. There could be a learning curve, but Dickert has a chance to keep WSU's momentum going with a solid roster.
TCU
2021 coach: Gary Patterson (out after 3-5 start)
Replacement: Sonny Dykes, previously SMU head coach
Grade: A-
Analysis: The move makes sense on a number of levels. Athletic director Jeremiah Donati practically described Dykes in explaining what TCU wanted for Patterson's successor. Dykes is already in the market, boasts Power 5 and Group of 5 head-coaching experience, and runs a dynamic offense that should attract players to TCU. He also has made SMU a transfer destination and can brand TCU the same way. Dykes likely will bring assistant Ra'Shaad Samples and other talented recruiters with him from Dallas to Fort Worth. He spent the 2017 season as an offensive analyst at TCU under Patterson, recharging after a bad experience at the end with Cal. Dykes then landed the SMU job and went 10-3 in his second season.
The 52-year-old Dykes knows the Big 12 from his time as a Texas Tech assistant, and as the son of former Texas Tech coach Spike Dykes. The only real concern with him is whether he can put together complete seasons at TCU. Dykes started 8-0 in 2019 before dropping three of the final five games. SMU started 7-1 last year before dropping its last two games, and began this fall 7-0 before dropping three of the past four. His November record will need to improve for TCU to start competing for Big 12 championships again.
Texas Tech
2021 coach: Matt Wells (fired after 5-3 start)
Replacement: Joey McGuire, previously Baylor associate head coach
Grade: B
Analysis: Texas Tech clearly wanted a homegrown coach to lead its program, especially after jettisoning Wells as soon as possible, despite a clearly improved team. When Jeff Traylor reupped with UTSA and the TCU job opened -- likely to target SMU coach and Tech alum Sonny Dykes -- Texas Tech had to accelerate its search and find someone with similar qualities. The hope is that McGuire will be that man. McGuire, 50, has a remarkably similar profile to that of Traylor, as both are former state championship-winning Texas high school coaches who moved into college roles later in their careers. Texas high school coaches love McGuire, who will be able to access talent around the state.
The question is whether McGuire can transition as well as Traylor did -- at a more challenging and higher-profile program. McGuire had been on the radar for FBS head-coaching positions after nearly landing the Baylor job when Matt Rhule left for the NFL. He will provide an immediate jolt of enthusiasm for Texas Tech fans, boosters and recruits. The lingering questions involve the staff he compiles and ultimately how he adjusts to the complexities of overseeing a Big 12 program with some inherent challenges.
GROUP OF 5
Hawai'i
2021 coach: Todd Graham (resigned under pressure Jan. 14
Replacement: Timmy Chang, previously Colorado State WR coach
Grade: B
This is a very popular hire, especially after the problems Hawai'i endured under Graham, who faced numerous allegations of player mistreatment. Chang should be the antithesis of Graham. He's a Hawai'i native and former star quarterback for the Rainbow Warriors who understands the program and its distinct qualities and challenges better than just about anyone. "I'm back. I'm home. In my heart, I never left," Chang said in a statement announcing his hiring. The program culture undoubtedly will improve under Chang. The on-field product, meanwhile, is harder to predict. If Chang were truly ready for the job, Hawai'i wouldn't have engaged June Jones and offered him the job with Chang as a coach-in-waiting. Chang, 40, wouldn't have been a candidate for many other FBS jobs. But he has spent time in the Mountain West at Nevada, and should implement exciting offenses like the ones he played in under Jones at Hawai'i. Expect a learning curve, but Hawai'i needed to generate some good vibes after the Graham mess and gets those with Chang.
Temple
2021 coach: Rod Carey (fired Nov. 29 after 3-9 record this season)
Replacement: Stan Drayton, previously Texas running backs coach/run game coordinator
Grade: B-
Athletic directors want to make their own coaching hires, and Temple's Arthur Johnson knew he wanted Drayton to lead the Owls. Johnson and Drayton worked together at Texas, and Drayton emerged as the favorite for the Temple job shortly after Carey was let go. This move is all about the AD-coach connection. Would many FBS programs target Drayton, a 50-year-old career running backs coach with no head-coaching or offensive coordinator experience? Probably not. But he still could work out well for Temple. Drayton worked in and around Philadelphia early in his career as running backs coach at Penn (1995) and Villanova (1996 to 1999). He went to college in Pennsylvania and has recruited the state and the region at several stops. With the right staff hires, Drayton could quickly elevate Temple's talent level and have the program competing better in the AAC, which soon will become more navigable because of realignment.
Nevada
2021 coach: Jay Norvell (left to become Colorado State head coach)
Replacement: Ken Wilson, previously Oregon co-defensive coordinator/inside linebackers coach
Grade: B
Wilson is a sensible hire for Nevada, if not a particularly bold one. His long-term connections to the Nevada program and former coach Chris Ault helped him land the job. Wilson, 57 spent 19 seasons as a Nevada assistant, including four as defensive coordinator. He ultimately needed some Power 5 experience before returning, and got it at Washington State and then Oregon, where he spent the past three seasons. But Wilson wasn't the defensive play-caller at Oregon, and only oversaw linebackers during his time at Washington State. This will mark his first opportunity as a head coach. He understands how to win at Nevada, and also some of the resource limitations there that prompted Norvell to take another job within the Mountain West. Although Nevada could have hired coaches who are leading or have led programs - BYU's Ed Lamb, Sacramento State's Troy Taylor and Weber State's Jay Hill come to mind - it went with familiarity, and Wilson checks the boxes there.
Florida International
2021 coach: Butch Davis (out after FIU opted not to renew his contract)
Replacement: Mike MacIntyre, previously Memphis defensive coordinator
Grade: B-
MacIntyre brings in a track record of turning around programs with some inherent disadvantages. Anyone who wins 10 games at both San Jose State and Colorado -- along with a slew of national coaching honors in 2016, when the Buffaloes reached the Pac-12 championship game -- understands how to oversee a program. My only hesitation here is whether FIU would have been better served with candidates more directly connected to the South Florida area. I really liked some of the other candidates FIU considered, especially Florida A&M coach Willie Simmons, who is 24-10 in the FCS and deserves a chance to lead an FBS program. Usually programs aim for a different candidate profile with their searches, but FIU went for a veteran coach to replace 70-year-old Davis. Perhaps MacIntyre's experience will serve him well at a program with some significant administrative challenges. But FIU could have gone with a fresher choice.
Fresno State
2021 coach: Kalen DeBoer (left Nov. 29 to become Washington head coach)
Replacement: Jeff Tedford, last coached in 2019 at Fresno State
Grade: B-
This grade is not reflective of Tedford's coaching ability. He did exceptional work at Cal, becoming the school's all-time winningest coach with an 92-57 record. Tedford also engineered an incredible turnaround during his first head-coaching stint at Fresno State, when he went 10-4 in his first season in 2017, after tumbling to 1-11 in 2016. The Bulldogs then went 12-2 in 2018 and finished No. 18 nationally in the AP Poll. But Fresno State slipped to 4-8 in 2019 and Tedford stepped down for health reasons. He also left the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for health reasons in 2014. So while everyone hopes Tedford's health is better, there has to be some concern about his hiring as a long-term appointment. Ideally, Tedford's return to Fresno State looks a lot like Brady Hoke's to San Diego State. Hoke led San Diego State to an 11-2 record and a Mountain West championship game appearance this fall. Tedford, 60, knows Fresno State and recruited some of the roster inherits from DeBoer, but there seems to be some risk in bringing him back.
Colorado State
2021 coach: Steve Addazio (fired on Dec. 2)
Replacement: Jay Norvell, previously Nevada head coach
Grade: A
Colorado State simply couldn't get this wrong after a deeply flawed search -- fueled largely by Urban Meyer -- led to Addazio's hiring two years ago. University president Joyce McConnell largely led the process this time around, and CSU ended up with a sitting head coach from within the conference who had gained consideration for Power 5 opportunities. While Norvell could have held out for bigger jobs, he seemingly needed to make some type of move in this cycle. He upgraded Nevada's program with four consecutive bowl appearances, and developed quarterback Carson Strong into an NFL prospect. Norvell, 58, already knows the league and the recruiting landscape from his time as a Big 12 and Pac-12 assistant. Colorado State offers better facilities and resources than Nevada, and Norvell should soon have the Rams competing for the top of the Mountain West.
Troy
2021 coach: Chip Lindsey (fired on Nov. 21)
Replacement: Jon Sumrall, previously Kentucky co-defensive coordinator
Grade: A-
There's a lot of excitement about this hire for Troy, and justifiably so. Sumrall quickly emerged as the favorite to replace Lindsey and return to Troy, where he had great success as an assistant under Neal Brown from 2015 to 2017. He has spent much of his career in the South, making stops at Tulane as a co-defensive coordinator, and at Ole Miss for one season before joining Mark Stoops' staff at Kentucky. He's also part of the incredibly successful University of San Diego coaching tree, spending five seasons with the FCS Toreros as a younger coach. Sumrall, 39, grew up in Huntsville, Alabama, and will fit in very well at a Troy program looking to upgrade in the Sun Belt. He lacks head-coaching experience but has all the other ingredients to be a successful hire for athletic director Brent Jones at Troy.
Louisiana
2021 coach: Billy Napier (left to become Florida Gators head coach)
Replacement: Michael Desormeaux, previously Louisiana co-offensive coordinator
Grade: B
Louisiana is aiming for continuity here, which makes sense after Napier's historic run the past three seasons (33-5, back-to-back Sun Belt titles). Desormeaux is a decorated former Ragin' Cajuns quarterback who won Sun Belt offensive player of the year honors in 2008. He has spent almost his entire professional career at his alma mater and has coached almost every position on offense. Desormeaux certainly gives Louisiana a chance to remain on the trajectory that Napier forced. He also lacks head-coaching experience, though, and Louisiana had some other candidates who have led programs or worked at the Power 5 level, such as Baylor defensive coordinator Ron Roberts and Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning. Desormeaux likely wasn't getting any other FBS head-coaching jobs right now, so there's an argument that Louisiana could have aimed a bit higher, given its improved place in the Group of 5.
Akron
2021 coach: Tom Arth (fired Nov. 4 after 2-7 start)
Replacement: Joe Moorhead, previously Oregon offensive coordinator
Grade: A
This is a huge hire for Akron and first-year athletic director Charles Guthrie. Moorhead was an SEC head coach just two years ago, and likely would have landed a Power 5 job in this cycle if he wanted one. Moorhead, 48, is making the move in large part for family reasons, as both he and his wife both are from Pennsylvania, and their son plays college football near the Pennsylvania-Ohio border at Division III Grove City College. Moorhead's first FBS coaching stint came at Akron from 2004 to 2008, the last three years as Zips' offensive coordinator. He's 52-25 as a college coach at FCS Fordham and Mississippi State. Schools like Akron rarely land a coach of Moorhead's caliber at this point in his career. This is a home run for Guthrie and the Zips.
Louisiana Tech
2021 coach: Skip Holtz (out after 3-9 season)
Replacement: Sonny Cumbie, previously Texas Tech offensive coordinator
Grade: B+
The Holtz situation surprised some in the industry, given his success until recent years. But Louisiana Tech wanted a fresh start, and it will get it with Cumbie, who brings extensive Power 5 experience from both Texas Tech, his alma mater, and TCU, where he held a coordinator role from 2014 to 2020. Cumbie, 40, is very rooted in his home state of Texas, where Louisiana Tech gets many of its players. But this will mark his first job outside of Texas, and he could need some time to adjust to the Louisiana environment and recruiting scene. Cumbie handled Texas Tech's interim head-coaching duties earlier this year after Matt Wells was fired, but he has never been a permanent head coach. His offense and background in quarterback development makes him an appealing hire for Louisiana Tech, which boasts a solid tradition at QB.
SMU
2021 coach: Sonny Dykes (left to become TCU head coach)
Replacement: Rhett Lashlee, previously Miami offensive coordinator
Grade: A-
Lashlee quickly emerged as the top choice to succeed Dykes, and for good reason. The 38-year-old is ready to lead his own program and returns to SMU, where he had success as offensive coordinator under Dykes in 2018 and 2019. Lashlee's willingness to develop his career and offensive approach after departing Auburn really stands out. He had been Gus Malzahn's guy, first as quarterbacks coach at Springdale High School in Arkansas and then at both Auburn and Arkansas State. But he developed his own approach, first at UConn in 2017 before joining Dykes. Lashlee made a positive impact at Miami, too, first with quarterback D'Eriq King in 2020 and then with emerging young star Tyler Van Dyke this year. His staff hires at SMU will be important to sustain the program as a destination for local recruits and transfers. But Lashlee is a smart choice to keep the momentum going from the Dykes era.
New Mexico State
2021 coach: Doug Martin (contract not renewed after 2-10 season)
Replacement: Jerry Kill, previously TCU interim head coach
Grade: B
Kill would earn an A grade solely based on his history of coaching success at multiple levels of college football. He's 154-101 as a college coach. For New Mexico State to land a coach with Kill's credentials is impressive. The concerns really have little to do with Kill's on-field ability, but rather his health. Kill, who has epilepsy, had to retire from Minnesota because of health reasons in 2015, and he was hospitalized following a seizure during his lone season as Rutgers' offensive coordinator in 2017. The 60-year-old is a true coaching lifer and has to be around the game. But coaches who know him are concerned about how leading a program again will impact his health. New Mexico State is one of the nation's toughest jobs, and it needs a coach who will last through what figures to be some tough seasons ahead.
Georgia Southern
2021 coach: Chad Lunsford (fired after 1-3 start)
Replacement: Clay Helton, previously USC head coach
Grade: B
Analysis: The knock on Helton at USC -- or perhaps the truth -- is that his folksy style seemed better suited for a Group of 5 program, ideally one in the South, than a Tier 1 job. We're about to find out. Helton's personality undoubtedly will connect well in southeast Georgia, and his profile coming from USC should aid Georgia Southern in recruiting. He does represent a philosophical shift, though, as most recent Georgia Southern coaches have used some version of an option offense. Helton also has to reestablish more accountability within the Eagles program and produce a team that plays with efficiency and discipline, two qualities USC lacked for much of his tenure. The staff composition will be key, as Helton, 49, needs assistants who know the landscape a bit better than he does. He should help elevate Georgia Southern's talent level in the increasingly competitive Sun Belt Conference.
UConn
2021 coach: Randy Edsall (stepped down after 0-2 start)
Replacement: Jim Mora, last coached in 2017 at UCLA
Grade: B+
Analysis: There always will be concerns about hiring a coach who last walked the sideline in 2017, at a very different program (UCLA) on a very different stage. But Mora really wanted to coach again. I could sense his enthusiasm in our conversations about jobs in recent years. UConn needs someone who genuinely wants to be there, and who understands the obstacles facing a program damaged more than any other by realignment. Although Mora, 60, has never coached in the Northeast, he won't have to explain who he is to many high school coaches or recruits' parents. He will need some time to familiarize himself with the landscape and hire the right assistants who can help. But UConn is one of the cases in which hiring a name coach helps, even one who hasn't coached in a while.
UMass
2021 coach: Walt Bell (fired after 1-8 start)
Replacement: Don Brown, previously Arizona defensive coordinator
Grade: A-
Analysis: Brown is a sensible hire after Bell, a young and energetic outsider who won only two games in two-plus seasons. UMass needed a coach more familiar with its region and challenges, and few major college coaches are more connected to the state than Brown. He went 43-19 as UMass coach from 2004 to 2008, guiding the program to an FCS national championship game appearance and three top-20 finishes. Brown then became one of most respected defensive coordinators in the FBS, especially early in his Michigan tenure. The 66-year-old wanted a final chance to be a head coach and could easily finish his career at UMass, where he first worked in 1998 and 1999 as defensive coordinator. Brown is older and might only be a short-term solution, but he gives the program a clearer identity, and his knowledge of the state and the area should really help.