The world of college football is known for its unpredictability, and one of the most intriguing aspects of the sport is the hiring and firing of coaches. Recently, we've seen a number of high-profile coaching hires, with some schools opting for proven winners and others choosing to take a chance on up-and-coming assistants. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the latest coaching hires and grade them based on their potential for success.
One of the most notable coaching hires of the past decade was Scott Frost, who returned to his alma mater Nebraska after a successful stint at UCF. Despite his impressive pedigree, Frost's tenure at Nebraska was marked by disappointment, and he was ultimately fired after a 16-31 record. Another highly touted hire was Luke Fickell, who took the reins at Wisconsin after leading Cincinnati to extended success. However, Fickell's time at Wisconsin has been marred by inconsistency, and the team's 4-8 record in 2025 was their worst in 35 years.
These examples illustrate the challenges of evaluating coaching hires, as even the most seemingly perfect candidates can fail to deliver. Nevertheless, grading coaching hires can be a fun and thought-provoking exercise, especially in the current college football landscape. With the sport's transition to a player-compensation model, schools are facing new challenges and opportunities in terms of recruiting and retaining top talent.
In the 2025-26 coaching carousel, we've seen 30 FBS head coaches hired, with some schools committing to big-money contracts and others opting for more affordable options. To evaluate these hires, we'll consider factors such as the coach's experience, track record, and fit with the school's culture and resources. We'll also acknowledge that our grades are subjective and may not necessarily reflect the coaches' ultimate success or failure.
Using a grading scale from A+ to F, we'll assess each coaching hire based on its potential for success. An A+ grade indicates a hire that checks almost every box, with a proven winner taking the reins at a school with the resources to support them. An A grade, on the other hand, represents a hire that makes sense on paper, with a coach who has a strong track record and a good fit with the school's culture.
Top Coaching HiresOther notable coaching hires include Mike Norvell, Auburn, who brings a strong track record of developing quarterbacks, and Jeff Brohm, Louisville, who has a proven ability to win games in the ACC. While it's difficult to predict the ultimate success of these hires, they each have factors that make them attractive candidates for their respective schools.
The process of grading coaching hires is almost completely pointless, as we never know how coaches will handle their new surroundings. However, it's a fun and thought-provoking exercise that can provide insight into the challenges and opportunities facing each school.
In conclusion, evaluating coaching hires is a complex and subjective process. While we can't predict the future with certainty, we can assess each hire based on its potential for success. By considering factors such as experience, track record, and fit with the school's culture and resources, we can gain a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing each school. Ultimately, only time will tell which coaching hires will prove successful, but for now, we can enjoy the speculation and debate that comes with each new hire.
Original: ESPN
Image: ESPN
Written by Npsports
