By Mike Huesmann
We have our 2nd annual version of the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly hirings for each conference. I have expanded this year’s list to all assistant coach hires, not just coordinators as it was in 2023. We have conference movement which results in teams in unfamiliar conferences but each of the P4 conferences is accounted for.
ACC
The Good-
Elijah Robinson
Texas A&M —> Syracuse
Robinson is electric, both as a coach and recruiter. He was the interim head at A&M last year. Fran Brown made a great move in pulling him to be the DC here for the Orange. He’s a rising star in the game.
Honorable Mention- Jonathan Brewer, OC. SMU —> Duke.
“We’re just trying to focus on the fundamentals and the details. Coach talks about DART all of the time. So we’re going to focus on DART.” —Elijah Robinson discusses what’s he’s telling his #Syracuse defense. pic.twitter.com/APDAehHvNu
— Syracuse On SI | The Juice Online (@TheJuiceOnline) March 23, 2024
The Bad-
Mike Bloesch
Cal, Promoted to OC
Bloesch was OC at North Texas when Seth Littrell got fired. I don’t see him as the answer here as the Bears move to the ACC and will continue to be outgunned. He is a good OL coach, but I’d have preferred a more seasoned OC.
More Sports News
The Ugly-
Geoff Collins
Georgia Tech (2022) —> North Carolina
If I’m Collins and I need to rehabilitate my image after the disaster at Georgia Tech, I’m not going to a school where the head coach hasn’t played defense in 15 years. Brown clearly hasn’t stressed that side of the ball, whether it’s recruiting, resources, or practice structure, they just haven’t been good. I pick a different job if I’m Collins.
North Carolina's defense preparing for 'Money Down' under new DC Geoff Collins https://t.co/jYDMvLNP90
— Tar Heel Times (@TarHeelTimes) May 6, 2024
Big Ten
The Good-
Matt Entz
North Dakota State —> USC
Riley needs a steady hand and a proven winner to help out on defense. Entz has a track record of success and will be that steady hand as LB coach to go along with the other defensive staff moves made by the Trojans.
Honorable Mention, Chip Kelly UCLA —> Ohio State
USC LB Coach Matt Entz describes how he teaches leadership to his players: “We play for the logo, not for one particular person or myself.” ⚔️ #FightOn✌🏻 pic.twitter.com/AjDvOYPQut
— Arrogant Nation✌🏻 (@FightOnRusty) January 18, 2024
The Bad-
Tim Lester
Green Bay Packers —> Iowa
Lester was uninspiring as Western Michigan head coach and this hire does nothing for me. Furthermore, how much chance will he have to succeed? He’s replacing an OC who had contract stipulations he never had a chance to meet.
The Ugly
Andy Kotelnicki
Kansas —> Penn State
For Kotelnicki I don’t like this one. James Franklin has ruined his share of offensive coordinators. For a guy who was experiencing a meteoric rise with Leipold and Kansas, it seems like a risk.
Big XII
The Good-
Dino Babers
Syracuse —> Arizona
I think Babers still has gas in the tank and offensive acumen. He has had his share of success, though the end at Syracuse was deserved. For Brent Brennan, getting your first P4 head job, it makes sense to have an experienced coordinator who gets this level.
Honorable Mention-Jake Spavital, OC. Cal —> Baylor.
Arizona OC Dino Babers talks about Noah Fifita’s progression both on and off the field. pic.twitter.com/YSyOz2YvkQ
— Arizona Wildcats On SI (@ArizonaOnSI) March 29, 2024
The Bad-
Marcus Arroyo
UNLV (2022) —> Arizona State
Arroyo was an average OC at Oregon, went to UNLV as head coach, and was a nightmare. His teams were 7-23 in three seasons, yet his reputation remains relatively high. I don’t get a younger and dynamic coach like Kenny Dillingham making this move.
The Ugly-
Kevin Barbay
Mississippi State —> Houston
Barbay was solid at Appalachian State but uninspiring at Mississippi State in 2023 as OC. Maybe it wasn’t on him, Zach Arnett was never the right long-term hire to be HC. I’m low on this now but Barbay could prove me wrong.
SEC
The Good-
DJ Durkin
Texas A&M —> Auburn
Durkin’s defenses have consistently been among the best in the country over recent years if you look at the statistics. They’ve also been very young. He comes with baggage from years ago at Maryland, but he is as good as they come on defense and should help Freeze in year 2.
Honorable Mention- Kane Wommack, DC. South Alabama —> Alabama.
The Bad-
Joe Sloan
LSU, Promoted to OC
He coached Jayden Daniels to the Heisman last year as QB coach, but I expected a splash hire for Brian Kelly and LSU. He’s a first-rate head coach and this is a blue-blood program, someone with more experience and success as a coordinator at the P4 level is what I’d have liked to see.
The Ugly-
Bobby Petrino
Texas A&M —> Arkansas
There are many ways in which this hire could go right. There are even more where it can go wrong. We all know the history, who he is, and why this could explode. However, he’s also one of the elite offensive guys in the game and Pittman needs to save his job.
Sam Pittman said on @finebaum that he had "several conversations with different prominent folks" in the state of Arkansas regarding NIL funding after a few spring practices.
More on that, Bobby Petrino's impact and the fundraising plan this month:https://t.co/NLUVjkCL6Z #WPS
— Mason Choate (@ChoateMason) May 2, 2024
