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College Football Recruiting, Opinion, and Analysis

Kinne, Applewhite and More: 5 Coaches with Something to Prove (Group of Five Edition)

Programs heading in different directions look to the sidelines for leadership, stability

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Sep 2
Sep 2

By Mike Huesmann

We reach the end of this series (article five of five) where I went through each power conference – and now the G5 – looking at coaches who have something to prove in 2025. I started with the SEC, Big 12 was next, ACC third, and Big Ten was my final P4 conference.

Major Applewhite, South Alabama

Can he turn his head coaching track record around?

Applewhite inherited a decent squad from Kane Wommack who left to be DC at Alabama. In Year 1, Applewhite went 7-6 overall and 5-3 in SBC play. Both are average. This is also where he was at Houston when he took over a nice situation from Tom Herman and went 15-11 over two-plus years. Simply put, he has never shown us that he can be more than an average head coach. Losing Gio Lopez and Fluff Bothwell will be a blow to the Jaguars. Zach Pyron might be the guy at QB now. Can Applewhite coach a team to be conference contenders?

Blake Harrell, East Carolina

Can he keep the momentum going?

Harrell took over as interim coach last season and went an impressive 5-1. But context is needed. The fired Mike Houston faced the gauntlet of the schedule, went 3-4, and many felt he was fired because they didn’t want him back and saw the schedule. Either way, Harrell was the shot in the arm the Pirates needed. Katin Houser is back at QB and some very nice offensive weapons come in via the portal. Once again, the schedule is front-loaded with several difficult games early. Seven or eight wins is a success in Harrell’s first full seasons, and I think it’s doable.

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G.J. Kinne, Texas State

Can he take the next step with Texas State?

I have praised Kinne over and over here. He is an offensive mastermind who has adapted to the modern game and transfer portal as well as anyone. The Bobcats have had back-to-back eight-win seasons under him, though in 2024 this was mildly disappointing. I have said he won’t be long for the G5 level and if Texas State gets 9-10 wins, that jump could happen. Pitt transfer Nate Yarnell looks to take over at QB and the roster under Kinne will always be among the best in the SBC. Is this the year he dominates and gets a P4 job?

Matt Entz, Fresno State

Can he do it at the FBS level?

Try and show me a better coach at the FCS level than Matt Entz. Granted he took over an elite situation from Chris Klieman – who took over an elite situation from Craig Bohl – but Entz is right up there with the best of them at that level. In five seasons he was 60-11 with two national titles, his teams never falling before the national quarterfinals. Klieman and Bohl succeeded at this level, I believe he will, too. Fresno is among the better G5 destinations. They’re a known brand, always have good rosters, and the culture established by Pat Hill and Jeff Tedford has maintained. This is a school that expects to be among the competitive of the Mountain West. I think Entz gives them that.

Pete Lembo, Buffalo

Can they push for a conference title?

Another coach I have praised many times. Lembo was outstanding at Lehigh, Elon, and Ball State before stepping away to be an assistant. In this role he was one of the top special teams guys in the nation at Maryland, Rice, Memphis, and South Carolina. Buffalo got him back in the head coaching realm last year and he won nine games in Year 1 – something only he and Lance Leipold have done there in 20 years. With Ta’Quan Roberson coming in at QB and a stout defense, I think the Bulls can challenge for their first MAC title since 2008. 

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