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5 for the G5: Coaches to look for in the Group of Five in 2024

Rich Rodriguez and G.J. Kinne headline Group of Five Coaches to look for in 2024

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By Mike Huesmann

Every offseason we see coaching movement for both greener pastures and firing due to a lack of production. In the high-profile P4 jobs, you rarely can be both in the same offseason, but in the G5 you get guys whose trajectory up can halt abruptly. This means you can be close to a bigger job and close to that window closing on your chances of getting a bigger job. Here are five coaches in the G5 to look for, though for various reasons.

Rich Rodriguez, Jacksonville State

The highest profile name on this list. The question for Rich Rod is, does he want to be a P4 head coach again? If he does, this might be the year it has to happen. He led Jax State from FCS to FBS with a very impressive 9-4 record in year one in C-USA. The schedule in 2024 looks more difficult but the Gamecocks look to be one of the teams who’ll benefit the most from helmet microphone technology, their breakneck pace could improve even more. If they get 8-9 wins we might hear Rodriguez get mentioned for a P4 job.

GJ Kinne, Texas State

Kinne getting a P4 job feels like a “when” not an “if” at this time. He spent one year as head coach at Incarnate Word and promptly took them to the FCS national semifinals. In 2023, his first at Texas State, they went 8-5 and won a bowl game.

What makes him an appealing candidate, beyond the stellar offense, is his ability to adapt and modernize. Still at the ripe young age of 35, he has done as well in the portal as anyone. The 2023 Bobcats had the second most transfer imports of anyone in the FBS, behind only Colorado. Being that coach and roster GM is the way of the future in FBS football, my guess is it will lead Kinne to the top.

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Sep 2, 2023; Waco, Texas, USA; Texas State Bobcats head coach G.J. Kinne avoid the powerade bath following the game against the Baylor Bears during the second half at McLane Stadium.

Charles Huff, Marshall

Huff is truly one who could go either way here. He came to Marshall from being Saban’s RB coach at Alabama and was solid in his first and second years. This prompted many to think another top-notch year might make him appealing for a P4 job, but things weren’t good in 2023 for the Herd. They started with four wins, lost five in a row, and couldn’t throw the ball.

If Huff can rebound in 2024 he might get his mojo back and be mentioned for a bigger job, but if 2024 is a repeat of last year then he might be on the hot seat entering 2025. Lots to play for in 2024 for the Herd.

Sep 10, 2022; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Marshall Thundering Herd head coach Charles Huff celebrates as he leaves the field after the Thundering Herd beat the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 26-21 at Notre Dame Stadium.

Barry Odom, UNLV

I am fascinated by the case of Odom. He was ok at Mizzou, although there were a lot of things outside his control that hurt his time there. He then did a solid job as the Arkansas DC before going to Vegas last year. What he did in year one for UNLV was nothing short of amazing. They went 9-5, their first winning season since 2000.

This place was a wasteland before Odom showed up. He quickly showed that he knows what he’s doing. Another winning season and I’d be shocked if the P4 doesn’t come calling for him next Winter, especially if that Arkansas job opens.

Butch Jones, Arkansas State

Jones will win his 100th game as a FBS head coach this season, that’s pretty impressive. He’s another guy, like Rich Rod, where we don’t really know his long-term goals. The Red Wolves were very competitive last year once they found a QB in Jaylen Raynor. Jones has won games everywhere he’s been, even Tennessee. If 2024 goes well it wouldn’t shock me if someone takes a flier on him. He’s a level-headed, experienced, and connected coach. That will be appealing to some out there. 

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