By Mike Huesmann
This is another annual list I like to do after spring ball. Check out my 2023 list, here. Now that the hiring is done, moves to other schools, and the NFL are mostly complete we have a pretty clear idea of what each staff will look like. Here are the offensive coordinators who make my list.
Andy Kotelnicki, Penn State
The Kansas Jayhawks were among the worst Power Five teams in the country before Lance Leipold showed up and made Kotelnicki his offensive coordinator. The resurgence they had is remarkable and a blue blood swooping in for the coordinators is expected in these cases. Kotelnicki got a substantial raise to go to Penn State and the Jayhawks’ offense hasn’t been the same since he left. James Franklin, who seemed to ruin OC’s on the regular, might have struck gold with this guy. He finally has Drew Allar looking like the recruit we heard he was. Penn State made it to the College Football Playoff semifinals in his first year. Another playoff trip, which I think is likely, and he probably gets a head job somewhere.
https://twitter.com/AdamBreneman81/status/1918471917432131928
Ryan Grubb, Alabama
Grubb had been Kalen DeBoer’s right-hand man since their days in NAIA and there’s no one he trusts more, especially after the job they did with Michael Penix Jr. Stops at FCS power South Dakota State, (then) NAIA power Sioux Falls, Eastern Michigan and Fresno have all seen offensive increases and a dynamic output with Grubb in charge. In two years with the Washington Huskies they were elite. The 2023 season saw them finish 14-1 and with Penix as a Heisman Trophy contender. Last year he was just average with the Seattle Seahawks. Expectations will only increase for DeBoer. His offense struggled without Grubb and Jalen Milroe, as talented as he is, was fitting a square peg in a round hole. In 2025 they should have a QB who fits the system better.
https://twitter.com/SSN_Alabama/status/1905625485666660780
Mike Denbrock, Notre Dame
Tough to argue that the longtime Brian Kelly lieutenant shouldn’t be the highest paid OC in America, surpassing $2 million a year. He coached a prolific offense at LSU in 2023 and led Jayden Daniels to a Heisman Trophy. When a guy like that gets hired away by another blue blood, you’re going to be well compensated. Stat-wise he led the No. 1 offense in America with Daniels, gaining 536 total yards per game. In 2024 the Irish and Riley Leonard made it all the way to the national championship game and were a top 10 total offense.
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https://twitter.com/4thandsaturday/status/1916904796218335278
Garrett Riley, Clemson
Riley is a former East Carolina, Appalachian State and Kansas assistant coach who everyone knows will be a head coach soon. He got his first OC job at SMU before having a tremendous single year at TCU with Sonny Dykes, leading the Horned Frogs to the national title game. His first year at Clemson in 2023 was not great but improvements were made and 2024 saw them win the ACC Championship and go to the playoff. He’s young, energetic and innovative. Clemson might have the best odds of anyone at a repeat playoff trip, Riley is a big reason why.
https://twitter.com/Jon_Blau/status/1904322412189008083
Jordan Davis, North Texas
This is almost certainly the guy you know the least about on this list. You should read up. The Mean Green are the only Group of 5 team to be top 25 in total offense in 2023 and 2024. They finished third overall this past season, behind only Miami and Ole Miss. Davis and head coach Eric Morris are doing great things in Denton, Texas and it wouldn’t shock me to see them get a Power Four job soon. Davis’ previous stops include Texas Tech, Incarnate Word and Washington State, all places that know how to throw the ball and be efficient. He’s a rising young star in the coaching ranks who you should know about.
