This past off season we saw a few changes within the college football world, mainly at the head coaching position. We saw a few head coaches go on to a new school. We also saw a former offensive/defensive coordinator become a head coach for the first time. And we saw a lot of shakeups within the SEC. Six out of the fourteen schools in the SEC saw coaching changes, amongst many other schools throughout the college football landscape.
Here is a look at just a few of those head coaches at new schools
Texas A&M: Jimbo Fisher
There may have been doubts about this hire. Can Fisher can turn the Aggies into a serious power house of just not the SEC but on a national scale? A&M signed him a to a $75 million contract over the next 10 years. If there were any doubts in the minds of the Aggie nation, they should have all been gone after that contract signing. It shows the confidence in Fisher. They should be confident that Fisher can turn around the Aggies and make them a household name.
Coach Fisher started off his tenure on a high note week 1 when the Aggies faced off against the Northwestern State Demons by defeating them 59-7. Week 2 certainly would be no gimme however as the Aggies would face off against the Tigers of Clemson. This would truly be an early test if to see if Fisher was indeed the right hire for the Aggies. Jimbo Fisher and the Aggies hung with the Tigers all the way to the very end until a “controversial” fumble from the Aggies that went out of the back of the end zone causing a touchback that would give the Tigers the ball and the win.
I understand the rule, however I do not agree with it at all. I think it is the most ridiculous rule in all of sports and it has to go. But enough about that. I believer the Aggies got the hire right, and last weeks game proved it to me and it should have proven it to the Aggie nation as well.
Arizona State: Herm Edwards
In what is probably the most surprising hire of the college football off season is the hiring of Herm Edwards who has been an NFL analyst for ESPN for the better part of the decade. His last coaching gig was for the Kansas City Chiefs from 06-08. The Herm Edwards era started off with an impressive 49-7 victory over the UTSA Roadrunners. In Week 2, the Sun Devils would host the Spartans of Michigan State. The Sun Devils would upset the Spartans in a close 16-13 win. From what it looks like, Arizona State made the right hire. Look for Herm and the Sun Devils to go bowling by seasons end.
Tennessee: Jeremy Pruitt
This is Pruitt’s first head coaching gig, coming from Alabama as defensive coordinator 16-17 and before that he was with Georgia . So you would think that he would be a great hire for a head coaching position especially in the SEC. To kick off the Pruitt era in Tennessee was tested early in Week 1 as he and the Volunteers took on the Mountaineers of West Virginia. The Mountaineers have Heisman hopeful Will Grier leading the Mountaineer offense at quarterback.
Unfortunately for the Volunteers, Will Grier put up 429 passing yards and 5 passing touchdowns. After his loss, many fans were seen burning their Volunteer gear and calling for the firing of Pruitt and this was just after his first game as head coach. However, in Week 2 Pruitt would bounce back against East Tennessee State 59-3. Week 4 is where the real challenge will begin as the Volunteers take on Auburn, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina over the next five week. Good Luck with that Pruitt.
Florida: Dan Mullen
Dan Mullen left Mississippi State with a 69-46 record to return to Florida where he served as defensive coordinator under Urban Meyer. Dan Mullen certainly has an explosive defensive style that works well in the SEC, and he looking to bring that explosive defense to Florida and take back the SEC East to the Gators away from their bitter rival Georgia Bulldogs.
In Week 1, the Gators and Mullen started off the season on the right foot, by defeating the Charleston Southern Buccaneers 59-6. In Week 2, the Gators hit a bit of a speed bump, when they were upset by the Kentucky Wildcats 27-16. This would be the first time the Wildcats have defeated the Gators since 1987 in football. The Gators and Mullen look to bounce back after this loss against Colorado State in Week 3.
Florida State: Willie Taggart
I am sure most of the nation were shocked with the unexpected departure of former head coach Jimbo Fisher to Texas A&M this past offseason. The Seminoles were in a bit of a panic mode to find their next head coach. They believed to have find their guy in Willie Taggart. Taggart has had previous head coaching experience with coaching the Oregon Ducks for just the 17′ season going 7-5. From 13′-16′ he coached the South Florida Bulls going 24-25. Previous to that he coached the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers going 16-20.
In Week 1 Taggart would start his head coaching tenure at home against the Virginia Tech Hokie. I am sure that Taggart and the Seminoles could forget night as the Seminoles would fall to the Hokies 24-3. The Seminoles would take on the Samford Bulldogs in Week 2. FSU would come out on top with a 36-26 victory many would think it should have been by a much larger margin. The Seminoles will start ACC play as they take on the Orangemen of Syracuse. Let us hope that Taggart and the Seminoles have a much better showing this weekend.
All and all I would give the majority of these coaches a B- . It would be a bit higher, but as of right now Taggart needs a bit of work. We just got to give him some time. I believe close to midway through the season, I am sure the Seminoles will look like the Seminoles of the past the good past that is.