The second year head coaches are under fire. Well, not all of them of course as Josh Heupel is a demi-god in Knoxville these days. Here’s how I’d rate them as we head into the second half of season two.
1. Josh Heupel, Tennessee
A-plus
— You can’t really ask for more in year two as he’s already competing for a national title.
2. Lance Leipold, Kansas
A-plus
— From a laughingstock program to College Gameday on hand I don’t care if he’s lost two in a row, what he’s done is amazing.
3. Bret Bielema, Illinois
A
Illinois is 6-1 and no one would have ever thought that in year two after the mess he took over from Lovie Smith. This team was 17-40 from 2016 until Bielema arrived in 2021.
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4. Steve Sarkisian, Texas
B-plus
— It’s been up and down for Sark but they might have turned a corner and a top 25 ranking is part of what he was hired for. Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning part of the other reason.
5. Shane Beamer, South Carolina
B
— A surprising season last year and some ups and downs this season but he keeps winning games most don’t expect him to win like Kentucky last week.
6. Gus Malzahn, UCF
B
— Maybe this should be higher with a 5-1 start this season but they are still erratic at times.
7. Jedd Fisch, Arizona
C-plus
— There is progress in year two which is good but the jury is still out with their biggest win over Colorado.
8. Clark Lea, Vanderbilt
C-minus
— I don’t give Vanderbilt coaches lower than this because this job just isn’t fair. James Frankin was a magician there.
9. Bryan Harsin, Auburn
D
— Everyone has wanted him out since halfway through his first year and he’ll surely be fired at the end of this season.
