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College Football Recruiting, Opinion, and Analysis

Allen, Robinson, Grimes: Top Ten P4 Coordinator Hires

Dive into the Top Ten Coordinator Hires this offseason

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Indiana Head Coach Tom Allen uses his megaphone during Indiana football fall camp at the practice fields on Friday
Indiana Head Coach Tom Allen uses his megaphone during Indiana football fall camp at the practice fields on Friday

By: Mike Huesmann

In this article we move on to the lesser talked about coaches, the coordinators. Offense, defense, special teams, all are eligible for this list. Anyone hired to be a coordinator is eligible, one caveat is a coordinator who followed a head coach to a new job (ie- Nick Sheridan following DeBoer from Washington to Alabama) is not eligible. This article will be followed by top 5 position coach hires by the P4 teams and then G5 coordinator hires. Here are my favorite P4 coordinator hires of this cycle.

Elijah Robinson

Defensive Coordinator, Syracuse

Elijah Robinson was the DL coach and later interim head coach for Texas A&M last year, Mike Elko wanted to keep him. He decided to leave for a coordinator role with his longtime friend Fran Brown. Massive hire for the Orange.

DJ Durkin

Defensive Coordinator, Auburn

In 2023 the Aggies were 5th in total defense. In 2022 they were #1 in passing defense despite being among the youngest defenses in the country. These numbers don’t happen by mistake. For all his baggage, DJ Durkin is a top-notch defensive coach who can help Hugh Freeze a ton.

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Blake Baker

Defensive Coordinator, LSU

Blake Baker comes to LSU from Mizzou where they had one of the best seasons in program history. The Tigers were a top 25 scoring defense, no small task in the SEC. Allowing less than 3 TD’s a game is impressive in a P4 conference and should put you in the top of the conference standings.

Zac Alley

Defensive Coordinator, Oklahoma

Zach Alley comes from Jacksonville State where, in year 1 at the FBS level, they finished 33rd in total defense. They allowed an impressive 1.2 TD’s a game and were top 15 in run defense. He’s considered one of the young risers in the game.

Chip Kelly

Offensive Coordinator, Ohio State

This one has been talked about a lot lately but getting Chip Kelly from UCLA could be the added piece the Buckeyes need to challenge for a national title in 2024. They certainly have assembled the roster to do it. He brings experience and success.

Zach Lujan

Offensive Coordinator, Northwestern

Zach Lujan is the lone coach on this list coming from an FCS school. Though his SDSU Jackrabbits probably could beat some teams we’ve mentioned already. His teams have won 29 games in a row and run the ball with ruthless efficiency. His 12 personnel and mixed packages could be great at Northwestern where your talent will never be at the level of your Big Ten brethren.

Tom Allen

Defensive Coordinator, Penn State

Tom Allen does two things at an elite level, coach defense and recruit Florida. Both of these will help James Franklin a ton. Allen was deservedly let go at Indiana, but this is a tremendous landing spot for him.

Jeff Grimes

Offensive Coordinator, Kansas

Jeff Grimes leaves the sinking ship at Baylor for a program on the rise under Lance Leipold. A veteran who has seen it all, he could be the guy to help the Jayhawks be a dark horse playoff contender in 2024. One year ago, he was mentioned as an Auburn head coach option, now he’s in Lawrence.

Jake Spavital

Offensive Coordinator, Baylor

The man hired to replace Grimes, Jake Spavital comes from Cal where he spent one season as OC. Before that he was the head coach at Texas State. Dave Aranda is on the hottest of seats, this hire better help him.

Mike Denbrock

Offensive Coordinator, Notre Dame

Fresh off of coaching Jaylen Daniels to a Heisman at LSU, Mike Denbrock is returning to the school he spent 6 seasons at with Brian Kelly. One of the better moves Marcus Freeman has had/ Year 3 for him and the offense needs to kick it up a notch. 

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