Reputations are made in college football. Nick Saban and Kirby Smart are great. Lincoln Riley can’t coach defense. James Franklin can’t win the big one. But what about coaches that are on the cusp of making (or breaking) their reputations? Here are five.
1. Deion Sanders, Colorado
— The jury is out on whether or not Sanders is a Power Five level coach. Last season started above expectations but the Stanford loss was especially questionable when it comes to his ability to coach and adjust. He needs a 7-5 or 8-4 season in year two with a fairly easy Big 12 schedule.
2. Brent Venables, Oklahoma
— Venables won 10 games this season and beat Texas but he also lost to Kansas, Oklahoma State, Arizona and almost lost to UCF and struggled with BYU and those are newbies to the Big 12. Fans aren’t sold yet that he’s head coach material and with Texas coming off a playoff appearance and the Sooners heading to the SEC, the pressure remains high.
3. Eli Drinkwitz, Missouri
— Drinkwitz was 17-19 heading into this season and was on a warm seat. With a 11-2 year he’s now safe and extended but what is he? Is he a coach breaking through to potential greatness or will he step back?
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4. Shane Beamer, South Carolina
— Gamecock fans were happy with Beamer at the end of 2022 after wins over Tennessee and Clemson but 2023 was a disaster and he’s coming off a 5-7 season. So is he still a great hire? Recruiting has been good but he needs a bounceback season to get back to being a hot young coach.
5. Kalen DeBoer, Alabama
— 25-3 and question marks? Yep because he took the Alabama job. After the loss to Michigan now people are saying he was lucky to beat Oregon twice, lucky to beat Texas and lucky to survive some tough games like Washington State and so on. His stint at Alabama will truly set his reputation.
