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Johnson, Stutzman, Dreiling, and More: Top Group of 5 Coordinator Hires

Wyoming, SJSU, Utah State, and other G5s have nailed their coordinator hires this offseason

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By: Mike Huesmann

Today, we focus on the G5 coordinator hires of the offseason. After looking at P4 coordinator hires and position coaches, we look at the guys calling plays in this article. To qualify for this list, like the P4 coordinator list, they cannot have followed a head coach to their new school.

Jay Johnson

Offensive Coordinator, Wyoming

Johnson has experience coaching QBs and as OC at a number of FBS schools. Kansas, Southern Miss, Louisville, Central Michigan, Louisiana, Minnesota, and most recently, his three stops with Mel Tucker: Georgia, Colorado, and Michigan State. He has been in East Lansing since 2020 and will be a good pickup for new HC Jay Sawvel and the Cowboys.

Seth Doege

Offensive Coordinator, Marshall

Texas Tech alumni and Mike Leach disciple Doege could be a drastic shift in offensive philosophy for the traditionally run-heavy Charles Huff. Doege comes to Marshall from Purdue, where he was TE coach, and before that, he had stops at Ole Miss, USC, and Bowling Green. He could rejuvenate an offense that badly sputtered last year down the stretch.

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Chip Long

Offensive Coordinator, Southern Miss

Will Hall needs to do something to keep his job. He enters 2024 on one of the hottest seats in America. Hiring Chip Long could help with that. Long spent last year at Louisville and before that at a number of FBS stops, including Tulane, Tennessee, Notre Dame, and Memphis. Long could rejuvenate both his star and that of the Golden Eagles if he can find a passing game that has eluded USM for years.

Dontae Wright

Defensive Coordinator, Troy

I have been critical of Gerad Parker as Troy’s new HC, but he made a good choice in his DC. Wright comes to Troy from West Virginia, where he had a heck of a 2023 with Neal Brown. Prior to that, he was at Western Michigan and DC at the FCS level. Wright is seen as a bright young name. He will be a good addition in the Sun Belt.

Walt Bell

Offensive Coordinator, Western Michigan

WMU is buying low on Walt Bell, and I think it could pay dividends. He was a hot name when UMass hired him away from Florida State to be HC, but it just hasn’t worked for him since then. He was a pathetic 2-23 for the Minutemen, and last year, he was OC at Indiana, where they were destined to get fired as the Tom Allen tenure was sputtering to an end. I think this is where Bell can rehab his image and get back to the P4 level, especially in a MAC that is at its low point.

Nick Howell

Defensive Coordinator, New Mexico

Howell reunites with longtime boss Bronco Mendenhall as the Lobo DC. Howell spent multiple years at BYU and Virginia with Bronco before being Clark Lea’s DC at Vanderbilt for the past two years. I won’t judge anyone too harshly for results at Vandy; the talent gap is just too wide. Getting the band back together, like Bronco is doing, could be great for a program like New Mexico, who just need direction and stability. I would not be shocked, pending some success, if Howell eventually succeeds Mendenhall as HC when retirement comes.

Craig Stutzman

Offensive Coordinator, San Jose State

Stutzman is a June Jones disciple, and I couldn’t be more excited to see that offense back in the FBS. The Hawaii alumni spent last year as an assistant with GJ Kinne at Texas State, where they threw the ball well. Prior to that, he was OC at FCS Utah Tech (Dixie State at the time). Stutzman also has experience coaching with Todd Graham and Nick Rolovich. This is a big hire for Ken Niumatalolo, who has committed to moving away from the triple option with SJSU.

Nate Dreiling

Defensive Coordinator, Utah State

Dreiling was tabbed at a young age to be Jerry Kill’s DC when he took over at New Mexico State, and we all know how quick that turnaround was with the Aggies. Well, now he has moved to a different Aggie group with Blake Anderson at Utah State. Dreiling is another top young name who makes this list and hopes to improve on the 6-7 record USU had in 2023.

John David Baker

Offensive Coordinator, East Carolina

Baker had stops at North Texas and USC with OC Graham Harrell before being scooped up by Lane Kiffin when he arrived at Ole Miss. He was TE coach and CO-OC for the Rebs, but he will be OC and QB coach for Mike Houston, who needs to improve the 2-10 record the Pirates had in 2023.

Dave Patenaude

Offensive Coordinator, Buffalo

Patenaude is a crafty veteran just like his new HC Pete Lembo.  He spent last year at Virginia as an analyst and, prior to that, was OC at many schools, including ODU, Georgia Tech, Temple, Coastal Carolina, and multiple FCS schools. I think the G5 model that Buffalo is using in hiring veteran coaches in the hopes of stability and lifting up the program will be the new norm. We saw not only Buffalo but also New Mexico and Middle Tennessee do this. Patenaude will be a big part of this.

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