Fact or Fiction: Gerad Parker, Kevin Sumlin, Mike Bobo

In today’s Fact or Fiction, I look at three big recent topics in college football and decide whether the statement is indeed FACT or if it’s FICTION.

1. Gerad Parker could be over his head.

Farrell’s take: FACT

Parker has experience as the passing game coordinator at Penn State in 2019 and as the West Virginia offensive coordinator in 2020 and 2021, but neither of these stints has me thinking the step up to Notre Dame OC is one he’s ready for. He’s been around for a while and was the ND TEs coach helping Michael Mayer develop but other candidates like Collin Klein (Kansas State) and Andy Ludwig (Utah) intrigued me more. It kind of looks like Notre Dame got rejected a couple of times and settled on this internal hire. The pro-style offense will remain but it could lack the explosive nature that is much needed.

Nov 5, 2022; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman talks to defensive lineman Justin Ademilola (9) in the first quarter against the Clemson Tigers at Notre Dame Stadium.

2. Kevin Sumlin is a good hire for Maryland.

Farrell’s take: FICTION

It’s a meh hire to me. Sumlin was solid at A&M and good at Houston but he was a disaster at Arizona and has been out of college for two years. He brings experience for sure but the latter part of his college coaching career hasn’t been good. He’s a long way from the Johnny Manziel Heisman year and he’s had some off-field issues that are less than public. This is risky to me as Maryland is doing well under Mike Locksley.

Nov 21, 2020; Seattle, Washington, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Kevin Sumlin high fives players during the fourth quarter against the Washington Huskies at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium.

3. Mike Bobo will do just fine at Georgia.

Farrell’s take: FACT

This isn’t a sexy hire as Bobo replaces Todd Monken who heads to the Baltimore Ravens of the NFL. And Bobo is a step down in my book. But it won’t matter. Georgia is loaded at so many positions and has the talent at QB to replace Stetson Bennett that the offense might even improve. Dominic Lovett coming in from Missouri will help Brock Bowers and the receiving group while the OL and RB room is loaded. There will be no step back for UGA on offense.