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What to Expect from Deion Sanders, Matt Rhule, and Other First-Year Power 5 Head Coaches

Mike Farrell predicts how Colorado, Nebraska, and other programs with new head coaches will fare in 2023

July 17, 2023
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Apr 22
Apr 22

Expectations for the first-year head coaches? How about we keep it real.


Deion Sanders, Colorado

— If Sanders can go 5-7 with this team he will have done an amazing job. And that is the realistic expectation honestly although some people are crazy enough to think he can have a winning season. Honestly, I think the Buffs go 3-9 as this is a massive rebuild with a brand new roster.

Dec 4, 2022; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during a press conference at the Arrow Touchdown Club.

Matt Rhule, Nebraska

— I’ve seen fans shooting for 8-4 and at worst 7-5 but that’s a bit lofty for me. If Rhule can somehow get to 6-6 and make a bowl game I think he’s done an amazing job. My expectation is 5-7 or in that range.

Dec 10, 2022; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head football coach Matt Rhule talks to the crowd during halftime of the game against the Purdue Boilermakers in the first half at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Luke Fickell, Wisconsin

— The Badgers had a down year, but it’s unlike many on this list as it wasn’t a complete disaster. A new offense isn’t easy to implement, and Jim Leonhard will be missed, but 8-4 seems realistic to me here.

New Wisconsin head football coach Luke Fickell speaks at a welcome event Monday, November 28, 2022, at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis. He was previously head coach for six seasons at Cincinnati.

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Hugh Freeze, Auburn

— Auburn is a massive rebuild, as Bryan Harsin was a bad hire and never had a chance. To me, this team should shoot for 6-6, but I think realism hits around 5-7.

Auburn Tigers football coach Hugh Freeze poses with associate head coach Cadillac Williams at the Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala., on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022

Jeff Brohm, Louisville

— I have high expectations for Brohm as he comes home. I think Louisville can be the surprise of the ACC and I’d like to see 8-4 and at worst 7-5.

Louisville head football coach Jeff Brohm worked his team through drills at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium on Saturday morning, Mar. 25, 2025

Brent Key, Georgia Tech

— He went from interim to full-time after a scrappy finish last season, but this is still a struggling program. 5-7 is the ceiling here, but I see closer to 4-8.

Nov 26, 2022; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets interim head coach Brent Key on the sideline against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first half at Sanford Stadium.

Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State

— Herm Edwards was a bad hire, plain and simple. And this is a roster similar to Colorado, with a massive emphasis on the portal. For Dillingham, I think 5-7 would be good.

Kenny Dillingham speaks at a press conference, introducing him as ASU’s new head football coach on Nov 27, 2022, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, AZ.

Ryan Walters, Purdue

— He’s young, and we don’t know if he can handle a program yet. Purdue has Hudson Card, and I like him a lot, but 6-6 is my expectation for them.

Purdue Director of Athletics Mike Bobinski and Purdue football head coach Ryan Walters pose for a photo during a press conference introducing Walters as the new head coach, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, at the Kozuch Football Performance Complex in West Lafayette, Ind.

Scott Satterfield, Cincinnati

— The Bearcats step down a bit as they adjust to a new coach and lose some talent. But there is still talent, and in their first year in the Big 12, they should be 6-6 or so.

Cincinnati Bearcats head football coach Scott Satterfield speaks during a timeout in the first half of the 90th Crosstown Shootout college basketball game between the Xavier Musketeers and the Cincinnati Bearcats, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati.

Troy Taylor, Stanford

— It’s ugly at Stanford, so Taylor has his work cut out for him. He’s recruiting well, but it will take a couple of seasons, and I see 4-8 at best.

Dec 18, 2022; Stanford, California, USA; Stanford Cardinal football head coach Troy Taylor, center, waves while standing on the court with family during the second quarter of the game between the Stanford Cardinal and the Tennessee Lady Vols at Maples Pavilion.

Zach Arnett, Mississippi State

— He replaces the legendary Mike Leach but has experience at QB and a talented roster. But the West is loaded, so I expect a 7-5 season or perhaps 6-6.

Sep 10, 2022; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive coordinator Zach Arnett against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium.
Category: College Football, NewsTag: Brent Key, Coach Prime, College Football, Deion Sanders, Hugh Freeze, Kenny Dillingham, Luke Fickell, Mason Hefner, Matt Rhule, Mike Farrell, Ryan Walters, Scott Satterfield, Troy Taylor, Zach Arnett
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