Halfway through the college football season, what stands out about this year's group of first-year coaches are the extremes.
Southern California's Lincoln Riley has been very good, somewhat predictably, while his replacement, Brent Venables, has presided over one of the worst stretches in recent Oklahoma history, lowlighted by a 49-0 loss to rival Texas. Brian Kelly, whose exit from Notre Dame and landing spot at LSU left many dazed and confused, has seen a bit of everything in his first seven games. So has the man he just faced on Saturday, Florida first-year boss Billy Napier. Meanwhile, the excitement surrounding Kelly's replacement, Marcus Freeman, has turned to unease after an unsettling first half. The much-anticipated return of Mario Cristobal to Miami is off to a tough start, while the program Cristobal departed, Oregon, continues to win with Dan Lanning.
I usually wait until the end of the cycle to evaluate first-year coaches. But given the names and programs involved right now, midterm grades make a lot of sense. Final grades will still be posted, and coaches have time to bump up a letter grade or perhaps two -- or go the other way.
Not every first-year coach stepped into the same situation, so they are graded somewhat on a curve. Still, performance and program oversight ultimately carried the day. Overall, I'm surprised by how many poor grades (C-minus or worse) I awarded through the first half, especially for Group of 5 coaches and hires that I really liked (and still could work out fine).
Let's take a look at the midterm grades.
Sonny Dykes, TCU: A
2022 record: 6-0 | TCU's 2021 record: 5-7
Previous job: SMU head coach
Grade when hired: A-
The Dykes hire made a ton of sense. He had worked at TCU before (in 2017, as an analyst) and knew the market well from four years at SMU. He also brought a fresh voice to a program that, while incredibly successful under Gary Patterson, often operated in the shadows and didn't try to stand out in a crowded Dallas-Fort Worth sports market. By opening spring practices to the public and allowing more eyeballs on the program, Dykes showed right away he would substantially improve TCU's brand and marketability. But would he improve the product on the field? The answer has been a resounding yes. TCU is 6-0 for the first time since 2017 after beating ranked opponents in three consecutive games for the first time in team history.
Veteran quarterback Max Duggan, who lost a preseason competition to be the starter, has capitalized on a new opportunity, putting up the best passing numbers of his career (69.5% completions for 1,591 yards with 16 touchdowns and only one interception). The receiving corps has popped behind Quentin Johnson, Derius Davis and Taye Barber, while a defense featuring some notable holdovers and key transfers has held up. "It certainly makes your journey easier," Dykes told ESPN. "We were smart enough to know what this league is like, and every single game is going to be a grind. But we have enough pieces to be competitive and have a shot. We needed to get some transfers to address some substantial needs, and we were fortunate enough to find some guys who have fit in. We have a chance to be a good team. Who knows what that means in this league?"
Jon Sumrall, Troy: A
2022 record: 5-2 | Troy's 2021 record: 5-7
Previous job: Kentucky co-defensive coordinator/inside LBs coach
Grade when hired: A-
Sumrall wasn't the flashiest hire, but he could turn out to be one of the smartest in the past cycle. He clearly benefited from three years under Mark Stoops at Kentucky, and Sumrall had ties as a Troy assistant from 2015 to 2017. Like Kentucky, Troy is grinding out wins, relying on its defense and flexing at the line of scrimmage. Troy has shown its resilience, responding from a road loss to Appalachian State on a Hail Mary to beat Marshall then Western Kentucky. Despite playing in the increasingly challenging Sun Belt, Sumrall's team has held its own so far. Troy has a favorable second-half schedule and could challenge for the West Division title.
Lincoln Riley, USC: A
2022 record: 6-1 | USC's 2021 record: 4-8
Previous job: Oklahoma head coach
Grade when hired: A
Riley arrived with high expectations but a low bar to clear at USC, which lost seven games by 10 points or more last season. His mastery of the transfer portal, headlined by quarterback Caleb Williams (Oklahoma) and wide receiver Jordan Addison (Pitt), gave the Trojans some juice as a preseason Pac-12 contender. But they needed a massive jump from a defense that finished 103rd nationally in points allowed in 2021. It turns out, the defense might be the biggest story of USC's first-half success. The Trojans have 16 takeaways, tied for fifth in the FBS, and have seen major increases in sacks and tackles for loss. Transfers certainly have helped on both sides of the ball, but a holdover, defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu, has been the biggest star with seven sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss. Despite Saturday's loss at Utah, which raised some concerns about what happens to USC's defense when it doesn't take the ball away, Riley has done an exceptional job early in his Trojans tenure. USC has a fairly easy remaining schedule, other than the Nov. 19 showdown at UCLA.
Kalen DeBoer, Washington: A-
2022 record: 5-2 | Washington's 2021 record: 4-8
Previous job: Fresno State head coach
Grade when hired: A-
DeBoer's hiring didn't generate nearly as much attention in the Pac-12 or nationally as that of Riley or Lanning, but he was a sneaky good choice for a Washington program needing a reset after the bizarre Jimmy Lake era. A proven playcaller at Fresno State, Indiana and Eastern Michigan, DeBoer has given Washington's dormant offense some real zest again. The Huskies averaged 44 points in four wins to open the season, as quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who played under DeBoer at Indiana, racked up big plays in the passing game. Penix slowed down a bit in Washington's first loss to UCLA, but he still has reached the 300-yard passing mark in every game, putting up a team-record 516 yards on Saturday against Arizona. Penix leads the nation with 2,560 pass yards. Washington incredibly ranks eighth nationally in scoring, a huge plus for DeBoer. The Huskies' defense looked shaky in road losses to UCLA and Arizona State, where the team still hasn't won since 2001. DeBoer's Year 1 success ultimately will hinge on Washington's ability to play away from home, as the team still must visit Cal, Oregon and Washington State.
Clay Helton, Georgia Southern: A-
2022 record: 4-3 | Georgia Southern's 2021 record: 3-9
Previous job: USC head coach
Grade when hired: B
The first coach fired and hired in the 2021 coaching carousel is off to a good start in his new gig. Even when it became clear Helton wasn't the right coach for USC, he projected as a good Group of 5 hire, especially in the South, where he spent most of his childhood as a coach's kid. He recorded his first notable win in just his second game, as Georgia Southern outlasted Nebraska 45-42 in Lincoln -- piling up 34 first downs and 642 yards. The win led to Nebraska's Scott Frost becoming the first coach fired in this year's carousel. After falling to UAB, Georgia Southern used a big second half to beat Ball State. Although the Eagles would drop their next two games, they led Coastal Carolina into the final minute before allowing a touchdown. Georgia Southern bounced back on Saturday, handing No. 25 James Madison its first loss of the season. Helton's offense ranks third nationally in passing and 24th in scoring.
Mike Elko, Duke: A-
2022 record: 4-3 | Duke's 2021 record: 3-9
Previous job: Texas A&M defensive coordinator
Grade when hired: A
Elko had been on the head-coaching radar for several years, passing up several Group of 5 opportunities until the right job emerged. Duke was a natural fit for the Ivy League alum (Penn) who had built his reputation at a similar ACC program in Wake Forest. Elko could bring a proven defensive scheme and player development plan to a Duke team that allowed more points than all but three FBS teams in 2021 and didn't win a single ACC game.
The Elko era got off to a strong start: Duke shut out Temple and upset Northwestern on the road. The Blue Devils have made clear strides on defense, allowing more than 23 points just once in their first five games and getting strong play from linebacker Shaka Heyward and others. Their losses have come by eight points (Kansas), three (Georgia Tech in overtime) and three (North Carolina in the final minute). The arrow is definitely pointed up in Durham, North Carolina.
Dan Lanning, Oregon: B+
2022 record: 5-1 | Oregon's 2021 record: 10-4
Previous job: Georgia defensive coordinator
Grade when hired: B
An Oregon coaching search that initially fixated on Cal coach and former Ducks player Justin Wilcox eventually pivoted to Lanning, a rapidly rising coordinator but someone without head-coaching experience or any direct ties to the program. Lanning assembled a young staff known for recruiting chops and made some important transfer portal additions, most notably Auburn quarterback Bo Nix. An opening game against his former team in a virtual road setting (Atlanta) did not go well, as Oregon fell 49-3 to Georgia. But the Ducks have responded well, pounding BYU and scoring three fourth-quarter touchdowns in less than three minutes to rally past Washington State on the road. Nix has revived all of his good qualities and built on them under coordinator Kenny Dillingham, completing a career-best 70.4% of his passes for 1,526 yards with 12 touchdowns and three interceptions. Oregon's post-Georgia schedule hasn't been overly taxing, and the defense, while solid lately, isn't dominant. Still, the Ducks are making clear strides under Lanning and, like they did under Cristobal, could once again challenge in the Pac-12. Their remaining schedule will be tough with UCLA this week and future matchups against Washington, Utah and Oregon State.
Joey McGuire, Texas Tech: B+
2022 record: 3-3 | Texas Tech's 2021 record: 7-6
Previous job: Baylor outside linebackers coach/associate head coach
Grade when hired: B
McGuire is undeniably a strong fit at Texas Tech, which has rallied around him. The longtime Texas high school coach has spent his entire career in the state, and it shows with the enthusiasm -- and financial buy-in -- he has generated in Lubbock. He already has delivered two memorable wins, both in overtime and at home, over Houston and Texas. McGuire showed his fortitude in the Texas game, as the Red Raiders converted on 6 of 8 fourth-down attempts for their first home win over the Longhorns since the unforgettable Michael Crabtree touchdown in 2008. Texas Tech has played a very challenging schedule; only one opponent (Murray State) wasn't ranked when the Red Raiders played them. McGuire's offense has used multiple players at all the skill positions, including quarterback. Texas Tech plays only one ranked opponent (TCU) the rest of the season, giving McGuire a chance to record the team's first eight-win season since 2013.
Jim Mora, UConn: B
2022 record: 3-5 | UConn's 2021 record: 1-11
Previous job: UCLA head coach (2017 season)
Grade when hired: B+
After a four-year break from coaching, Mora returned to one of the nation's toughest jobs. UConn had won more than three games in a season just once since 2012, was significantly damaged by realignment and had become an FBS independent following the 2019 campaign. A challenging schedule awaited Mora, as UConn faced an improved Syracuse team, as well as Michigan and NC State in consecutive weeks. The Huskies predictably lost all three by wide margins. But they have since responded, shocking Fresno State 19-14 and outclassing Florida International 33-12 on the road. UConn nearly recorded its first three-game win streak since 2015 before squandering a 21-10 halftime lead against Ball State. The Huskies still have some clear obstacles on offense, but they have established a decent run game with multiple backs contributing. UConn plays three of its final four games at home. A four- or five-win season would represent an excellent start for Mora in Storrs.
Brian Kelly, LSU: B-
2022 record: 5-2 | LSU's 2021 record: 6-7
Previous job: Notre Dame head coach
Grade when hired: A-
Kelly's final few Notre Dame teams were machinelike in beating the teams they should while falling short against most of their elite opponents. His first LSU team has been wildly unpredictable. LSU couldn't have played much worse in its opener, especially on special teams, but it still only lost after failing to make an extra point with no time left. The Tigers rallied from 17-0 down to beat Auburn on the road, suffered the worst home loss (40-13) in Kelly's FBS coaching tenure to Tennessee then looked impressive last week on the road against Florida, piling up 45 points and 528 yards. Other than special teams, LSU has shown several bright spots and could be a tough squad to beat down the stretch. Kelly's stint ultimately will be judged by whether he wins a national title, which never was going to happen with this team. But after a brutal start, Kelly has once again shown his talent for winning and pushing the right personnel buttons.
Jake Dickert, Washington State: B-
2022 record: 4-3 | Washington State's 2021 record: 7-6 (3-3 under Dickert)
Previous job: Washington State defensive coordinator (later interim head coach)
Grade when hired: B+
Dickert's grade has taken a dip with three losses in four games, beginning with a late implosion against Oregon at Martin Stadium. His promotion at Washington State was understandable, as he stepped into a strange and difficult situation and helped the team to its first Apple Cup win since 2012. But he still was somewhat of a mystery man, never working at a Power 5 program until joining Washington State's staff before the 2020 season. Dickert has taken advantage of his surprise opportunity at Wazzu, which stunned Wisconsin in Week 2 despite entering Camp Randall Stadium as 17.5-point underdogs. The Cougars' defense has continued to grow under Dickert, especially a front seven featuring Daiyan Henley and Brennan Jackson. The offense needs a bit of a reset after scoring a combined 24 points in the past two games. After hosting Utah on Oct. 27, the Cougars' closing stretch isn't overly taxing, and a return to a bowl game seems very likely.
Michael Desormeaux, Louisiana: C
2022 record: 3-3 | Louisiana's 2021 record: 13-1
Previous job: Louisiana co-offensive coordinator/tight ends coach
Grade when hired: B
Billy Napier elevated Louisiana to historic heights, but the program has a lengthy history of success, and it went with one of its own in Desormeaux -- a record-setting former quarterback for the school who had spent his entire college coaching career at his alma mater -- to maintain momentum. The Ragin' Cajuns had to replace key players on both sides of the ball, and their slow start on offense -- only one game scoring more than 24 points -- hasn't been a huge surprise. Still, road losses to Rice and especially Louisiana-Monroe likely set off a few alarms about Desormeaux. Louisiana responded with a defense-fueled win last week at Marshall, but it still needs elements of the offense to get going. Desormeaux's challenge for the second half is putting more of his stamp on the offense and generating greater production. The Ragin' Cajuns' defense ranks No. 22 nationally in points allowed (19.2 per game).
Timmy Chang, Hawai'i: C
2022 record: 2-5 | Hawai'i's 2021 record: 6-7
Previous job: Colorado State wide receivers coach
Grade when hired: B
Chang was hired late and inherited a terrible roster situation following the player exodus tied to his predecessor, Todd Graham. After Chang's tenure began with blowout losses to Vanderbilt (63-10), Western Kentucky (49-17) and Michigan (56-10), a winless season looked like a very real possibility for Hawai'i. But Chang has kept a positive vibe, a major reason Hawai'i brought him back to his alma mater. The Rainbow Warriors have established a defensive edge, which showed up in wins over Duquesne and Nevada and nearly gave them a victory at San Diego State (16-14 loss). Two or three more victories in the second half would represent a solid first season for Chang, under the circumstances.
Billy Napier, Florida: C-
2022 record: 4-3 | Florida's 2021 record: 6-7
Previous job: Louisiana head coach
Grade when hired: A-
Like others on the list, Napier inherited some roster challenges, although he had an intriguing quarterback in Anthony Richardson, several veteran defenders and some solid transfers. Napier passed his first test in dramatic fashion, as Richardson and the Gators beat defending Pac-12 champion Utah to open the season. Reality hit the next week for Richardson and Florida against Kentucky, which won 26-16 and limited the Gators to 12 first downs and 143 passing yards. Florida survived a home scare against a bad South Florida team and pushed Tennessee but ultimately fell to a superior Vols team. Last week's loss to LSU exposed some issues for Florida's defense, which couldn't slow down quarterback Jayden Daniels or the Tigers' run game. Florida just isn't a very cohesive team yet and doesn't have much on its profile other than the Utah victory. The concern for Napier is beating a rival, as Florida faces Georgia and Florida State in the second half of the schedule.
Rhett Lashlee, SMU: C-
2022 record: 3-3 | SMU's 2021 record: 8-4
Previous job: Miami offensive coordinator
Grade when hired: A-
SMU went for continuity in hiring Lashlee, an accomplished offensive coach who was with the Mustangs for the first part of their renaissance under Sonny Dykes before departing for Miami. Lashlee emerged quickly as SMU's target and made sense as a replacement for Dykes. But Lashlee inherited a pretty good team and would need to continue success. So far, the results have been mixed. SMU opened with a dominant performance against North Texas, but it has only one other win against an FBS opponent (versus 2-3 Navy on Friday night). The Mustangs have lost to the three best teams they've faced in Maryland, TCU and UCF, the first two games by single digits. SMU's defense hasn't been particularly good, but quarterback Tanner Mordecai is shining in Lashlee's system. Lashlee ultimately will be evaluated during the second-half schedule, which begins with Cincinnati but also includes Tulane and Memphis.
Jerry Kill, New Mexico State: C-
2022 record: 2-5 | New Mexico State's 2021 record: 2-10
Previous job: TCU assistant to head coach (interim head coach for final four games in 2021)
Grade when hired: B
Few college coaches are better equipped for a challenging job than Kill, who worked his way up through the lower divisions before eventually leading Northern Illinois and Minnesota. Despite numerous health issues, his desire to coach still burns, and he inherited a New Mexico State team that hadn't won more than three games since its lone bowl appearance in 2017. The Aggies had a tough opening stretch with trips to Minnesota and Wisconsin, but they have won two of their past three games following an 0-4 start. As an FBS independent, their quirky schedule has included a three-game road swing and a four-game homestand. But other than the Minnesota and Wisconsin tilts, New Mexico State has played decent on defense and could pick up several wins down the stretch (UMass, Lamar) to stamp Kill's first season as a success.
Stan Drayton, Temple: C-
2022 record: 2-4 | Temple's 2021 record: 3-9
Previous job: Texas running backs coach/associate head coach
Grade when hired: B-
Drayton inherited a team with significant offensive problems, as the Owls scored 92 fewer points in AAC play than any other team in 2021. Temple's concerns have carried over into the Drayton era, which began with a 30-0 loss at Duke, the Blue Devils' first shutout against an FBS opponent since 1989. The Owls played relatively well over the next three games, beating FCS Lafayette, pushing Rutgers into the fourth quarter before falling 16-14 and thumping UMass 28-0 for the team's first shutout since 2016. Freshman quarterback E.J. Warner, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Kurt Warner, is leading the offense with mixed results. The past two games have been ugly, though, as Temple has been outscored 94-16 by Memphis and Tulsa. There are some opportunities for wins in the upcoming schedule, including Tulsa (home), Navy (road) and South Florida (home). Temple's defense has held up nicely, other than the UCF disaster.
Sonny Cumbie, Louisiana Tech: C-
2022 record: 2-4 | Louisiana Tech's 2021 record: 3-9
Previous job: Texas Tech offensive coordinator (interim head coach for final five games)
Grade when hired: B+
Louisiana Tech's firing of Skip Holtz was a surprise in last year's carousel, as the team had made seven consecutive bowl appearances and had suffered close losses to Mississippi State, SMU and NC State early in 2021. Cumbie brought youth, exciting offense and a Texas pedigree to a program with a strong tradition of quarterback play and producing points. The Bulldogs' offense is starting to show flashes, especially with wide receivers Tre Harris and Smoke Harris as well as tight end Griffin Hebert. Cumbie faced a brutal schedule, with just five home games and four of the first six on the road, including visits to Missouri and Clemson. Louisiana Tech has won both of its home games (Stephen F. Austin and UTEP) and enters a stretch against weaker Conference USA opponents that could result in some success.
Jeff Tedford, Fresno State: C-
2022 record: 2-4 | Fresno State's 2021 record: 10-3
Previous job: Fresno State head coach (2019, resigned because of health reasons)
Grade when hired: B-
Tedford's tepid hiring grade underscored the risk in bringing him back, even to a place where he flourished in 2017 and 2018, going 22-6. The team has faced a tough schedule, and it lost star quarterback Jake Haener to a significant ankle injury in Week 3 at USC. Fresno State has only one truly shocking loss, to UConn in a game in which the Bulldogs generated only 14 first downs and 187 total yards. They bounced back nicely on Saturday against surging San Jose State, holding the Spartans scoreless in the second half of a 17-10 win. Haener will return at some point and provide a big lift. A path to bowl eligibility remains, but Tedford must find solutions for an offense that has averaged just 17 points per game without Haener.
Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame: D+
2022 record: 3-3 | Notre Dame's 2021 record: 11-2
Previous job: Notre Dame defensive coordinator
Grade when hired: A-
The genuine excitement around Freeman's hiring after Brian Kelly's departure masked the fact that he wasn't fully ready for a job of this magnitude. Freeman had only been at Notre Dame for a year. After Freeman's team lost the Fiesta Bowl to Oklahoma State and opened this season with losses to Ohio State and Marshall, I thought back to what Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick told me in December: "There's got to be a learning curve. I have no reason to suspect it's a bigger learning curve or a smaller one in Marcus' case, but there has to be one." It showed up in various forms during Freeman's 0-3 start (including the bowl loss) then again Saturday night, as Notre Dame was stunned at home by a Stanford team that had lost 11 consecutive games to Power 5 opponents. Marshall and Stanford are 0-7 against FBS opponents not named Notre Dame this season. Before Stanford, Notre Dame seemed to be settling in with quarterback Drew Pyne. But the offense, which started very slowly, once again took a step backward. Freeman is growing into the role, but he will be tested in the second half with games against Clemson (home), USC (road) and Syracuse (road). The combination of a young coach (36) and a young offensive coordinator (Tommy Rees, 30) could become a real problem for Notre Dame.
Mario Cristobal, Miami: D+
2022 record: 3-3 | Miami's 2021 record: 7-5
Previous job: Oregon head coach
Grade when hired: A
Miami made an unprecedented investment in Cristobal, and a discouraging first six games doesn't reduce excitement much or change the long-term outlook about returning to championship contention. The product on the field hasn't looked much different so far in the Cristobal era. After opening with 70 points against Bethune-Cookman, the Canes have averaged just 23.4 points against five FBS opponents, losing to three of them. Two of their losses came by a single score -- Texas A&M (road) and North Carolina (home) -- but a 45-31 defeat to Middle Tennessee, which is 0-3 in Conference USA play, shouldn't happen at The U. Cristobal has work ahead, both in recruiting and player development, with positions such as offensive line and wide receiver. Other than the Middle Tennessee debacle, the defense has been solid with several playmakers emerging (Corey Flagg Jr., Akheem Mesidor, Kamren Kinchens). The second-half schedule is fairly navigable until Clemson on Nov. 19.
Brent Pry, Virginia Tech: D+
2022 record: 2-5 | Virginia Tech's 2021 record: 6-7
Previous job: Penn State defensive coordinator
Grade when hired: B+
Pry inherited a really bad roster in Blacksburg, where the team had a lot of attrition and several positions needing significant upgrades. He drew a tricky opener at Old Dominion -- where Virginia Tech lost in 2018 -- and the Hokies fell 20-17 after allowing a touchdown in the final minute. The team rebounded nicely to beat Boston College, but it has since stumbled significantly on offense, mustering only 10 points in consecutive losses to West Virginia and North Carolina, two teams that have struggled to stop opponents this season. The Hokies mustered only 14 points against Miami in a fourth straight loss. Quarterback Grant Wells has had issues with turnovers, and while the offense does boast some bright spots (wide receiver Kaleb Smith, running back Keshawn King), the overall production just isn't there. The defense has had some issues too, allowing 320 rush yards and six touchdowns to Pitt's Israel Abanikanda. Pry was a first-time head coach who hired two really young coordinators in Tyler Bowen (33) and Chris Marve (33). Right now, the team is showing some growing pains, but it still has a chance to develop in the second half.
Joe Moorhead, Akron: D+
2022 record: 1-6 | Akron's 2021 record: 2-10
Previous job: Oregon offensive coordinator
Grade when hired: A
The MAC is known for parity, but Moorhead took over an Akron program that had bottomed out under Tom Arth, going 3-27 over the past three seasons. Akron was outscored 474-238 last year, and even a coach with Moorhead's pedigree on offense faced an uphill climb. Still, the first half wasn't pretty for the Zips, who have yet to beat an FBS team after outlasting FCS St. Francis in overtime to begin the Moorhead era. There were very ugly losses early on against both Michigan State (52-0) and Tennessee (63-6), but Akron has been more competitive during the past four games, dropping three by single digits. Moorhead's offense is showing some life behind dual-threat quarterback DJ Irons, who is completing 66.4% of his passes. If Akron remains on its trajectory, a win or two down the stretch wouldn't be surprising and would change the mood around a challenging season.
Brent Venables, Oklahoma: D+
2022 record: 4-3 | Oklahoma's 2021 record: 11-2
Previous job: Clemson defensive coordinator
Grade when hired: B+
The grade might seem harsh, as Oklahoma played almost two games without star quarterback Dillon Gabriel and faced other personnel challenges. The Sooners also rebounded nicely on Saturday against short-handed Kansas, piling up points and yards and limiting some of the defensive meltdowns that had surfaced in the previous three games. But what happened against TCU and particularly Texas is unforgivable for a program such as Oklahoma and a coach with Venables' credentials on defense. Oklahoma endured its first three-game losing streak since 1998 and absorbed its worst shutout loss in team history, while allowing its highest points total ever to Texas. Although the Sooners bounced back in Gabriel's return on Saturday, they still allowed 42 points to a Kansas team playing with its backup quarterback. "You've got to continue to plant seeds of belief, not seeds of doubt and destruction," Venables told me in September. "These players, they expect to win. We want them to play well. You've got to find that delicate balance as you're building a culture and standards. You've got to nurture it too. In the middle of competition, in the middle of failure, mental stress and chaos, your job as a coach is to help in telling the truth, so you're learning personalities and how to get the most out of guys and pushing the right buttons."
Ken Wilson, Nevada: D+
2022 record: 2-5 | Nevada's 2021 record: 8-5
Previous job: Oregon co-defensive coordinator/inside linebackers coach
Grade when hired: B
After the pain of losing a successful coach (Jay Norvell) to another Mountain West team (Colorado State), Nevada turned to Wilson, who spent nearly a quarter century with the program and contributed to its rise under Chris Ault. Wilson's tenure began with solid wins over New Mexico State and Texas State, but things have since fallen apart. Nevada fell to FCS Incarnate Word in Week 3 and was shut out at Iowa, and it sits at 0-3 in the Mountain West after falling to Hawai'i and Colorado State, two of the league's weakest teams. The Wolf Pack have scored only 50 total points in their four losses to FBS opponents. The transfer portal affected Nevada in both directions after the coaching change, but Wilson must find the right players to end the slide and get some wins down the stretch.
Mike MacIntyre, Florida International: D+
2022 record: 2-4 | FIU's 2021 record: 1-11
Previous job: Memphis defensive coordinator
Grade when hired: B-
Like many others on this list, MacIntyre walked into a tough situation at FIU, a program neglected on several levels toward the end of Butch Davis' tenure. The death of tight end Luke Knox in August compounded the challenges for everyone on the team. But FIU hasn't generated many bright spots on the field so far. The Panthers needed a second-half rally to force overtime and ultimately beat Bryant, an FCS program that currently sits at 2-5. FIU's only other win came against New Mexico State. FIU's four losses all have been by 20 points or more, including a 73-0 smashing by Western Kentucky that marked the most points allowed in team history. The Panthers lost by 29 at Texas State and by 21 to UConn at home. FIU's remaining schedule features only one opponent currently with a winning record, but MacIntyre needs to spark an offense that ranks 125th nationally in scoring (15.5 points per game).
Don Brown, UMass: D
2022 record: 1-6 | UMass' 2021 record: 1-11
Previous job: Arizona defensive coordinator
Grade when hired: A-
UMass is one of the nation's toughest jobs, as the team won only two games over the previous three seasons. The program's time in the FBS hasn't produced any sustained success. But Brown wouldn't walk in blindsided by the challenges. He had led UMass to a 43-19 record in the FCS, and he knows New England better than anyone after stops at Boston College, UConn and Northeastern. But his return to Amherst hasn't brought many positives. UMass has a win, matching its total from 2021, but it came against Stony Brook, an FCS team with an 0-6 record this season. The Minutemen are 0-6 against the FBS, and only one loss has come by fewer than 18 points. UMass was shutout 28-0 by Temple (which has only one other win), and the Minutemen rank last nationally in scoring (12 PPG), eclipsing 13 points just twice this season. Brown should get the defense on track, but the offense remains a major concern.
Tony Elliott, Virginia: D
2022 record: 2-4 | Virginia's 2021 record: 6-6
Previous job: Clemson offensive coordinator
Grade when hired: A-
Bronco Mendenhall's abrupt resignation at Virginia didn't generate the same shockwaves as several other coaching departures, but it was significant. He took over a program coming off of four straight losing seasons and guided it to an ACC title game in 2019. Mendenhall has a distinct style, and many might have underestimated how difficult the transition would be for Elliott and his staff. Still, the Cavaliers' offensive struggles are jarring, as they returned record-setting quarterback Brennan Armstrong, record-setting wideout Dontayvion Wicks and a loaded receiving corps. Virginia hasn't scored more than 20 points against an FBS opponent and ranks 122nd nationally in scoring and 81st in passing. Unlike many other coaches on the list, Elliott didn't inherit a bare cupboard. Elliott still has time to turn things around, and he will have more of his own players in place next season. But the much-anticipated start to his head-coaching career has been very rocky.
Jay Norvell, Colorado State: D
2022 record: 1-6 | CSU's 2021 record: 3-9
Previous job: Nevada head coach
Grade when hired: A
To preface, Norvell could turn things around at Colorado State and perhaps provide some hope later this season. He is a proven coach who knows the Mountain West and how to generate points. Still, his move from Nevada to Colorado State likely will go down as a cautionary tale. If Norvell had remained at Nevada and continued to win (he went 33-26 there), he would have a good chance for the Arizona State and Colorado jobs, and perhaps even Nebraska, where he served as offensive coordinator from 2004 to 2006. Instead, his Colorado State tenure began with five ugly losses, all by 15 points or more, including to FCS Sacramento State. After recording his first CSU win against his former team in Nevada, Norvell took another step backward last week as the Rams fell to 2-4 Utah State. Norvell didn't inherit a good situation from Steve Addazio in Fort Collins but hasn't generated much progress. The Rams' offense ranks second to last nationally in scoring, averaging 12.2 PPG. The Rams still must play Boise State, San Jose State and Wyoming in the second half, so matching or exceeding last year's record seems very tough.