Grading the First-Year Power Five Hires

Is it too late to rank the new coaching hires? Nope. After all, they are each undefeated. Here are my grades.

Matt Rhule, Nebraska

A+

I love this hire. Rhule has proven he can dig a program out from much worse like at Baylor and Temple. Rhule is an excellent talent evaluator and gets more out of three stars than most, and that’s key with the recruiting disadvantages at Nebraska. To me, this is a home run hire.

Nov 28, 2022; Omaha, Nebraska, US; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule speaks at the introductory press conference at the Hawks Championship Center on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus

Luke Fickell, Wisconsin

A

Fickell has shown what he can do at a school up against it in recruiting at Cincinnati and he’s already doing well recruiting for the Badgers. He’s a proven, great coach and arguably the best at Wisconsin since Barry Alvarez. He could be that good.

New Wisconsin head football coach Luke Fickell, right, poses with athletic director Chris McIntosh at a news conference introducing Fickell on Monday, November 28, 2022 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis.

Hugh Freeze, Auburn

A

Auburn needs someone who has experienced the SEC West battles from a recruiting standpoint and on the field and Freeze is perfect for that. He made Ole Miss very dangerous before he ran afoul of the NCAA and this time he’ll be wiser and more effective.

Auburn coach Hugh Freeze speaks at the 2023 SEC Football Kickoff Media Days at the Nashville Grand Hyatt on Broadway, Tuesday, July 18, 2023.

Jeff Brohm, Louisville

A

Coming home doesn’t always work, ask Nebraska about Scott Frost, but I think it’s great in this case. He’s done a solid job at Purdue, he can develop QBs who aren’t massive names and he will outcoach a few people in the ACC.

U of L Athletic Director Josh Heird, left, presented Jeff Brohm with a jersey after he was announced as the new head football coach at Cardinal Stadium in Louisville, Ky. on Dec. 8, 2022.

Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State

B+

Dillingham has come a long way from being a young playcaller to now running his own program. It’s a lot to ask but he’s capable and will recruit smartly and develop players well.

Kenny Dillingham speaks at a press conference, introducing him as ASU’s new head football coach on Nov 27, 2022, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, AZ.

Brent Key, Georgia Tech

B

The in-house hire was the right call as Key had the player’s approval and did a solid job last season in the interim role. It’s not an easy road to success but this guy has been battle-tested and survived to tell the tale.

Nov 12, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets head coach Brent Key on the field before a game against the Miami Hurricanes at Bobby Dodd Stadium.

Ryan Walters, Purdue

B-

Is he too young? Too green? Like Dillingham, Walters has come a long way in a short time but I’m more skeptical of him for some reason. Maybe it’s because he’s a defensive coach and it’s harder to win that way? He’s a solid hire but may be over his head.

Purdue Director of Athletics Mike Bobinski and Purdue football head coach Ryan Walters pose for a photo during a press conference introducing Walters as the new head coach, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, at the Kozuch Football Performance Complex in West Lafayette, Ind.

Scott Satterfield, Cincinnati

B-

He was meh at Louisville and underachieved in my book. So how will he be better at a school that doesn’t have the same resources?

Cincinnati Bearcats head football coach Scott Satterfield speaks during a timeout in the first half of the 90th Crosstown Shootout college basketball game between the Xavier Musketeers and the Cincinnati Bearcats, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati.

Troy Taylor, Stanford

B-

Recruiting is going well so far but this is a tough job with the academic restrictions. Selling books over bucks is hard if you’re not winning and it’s a long road back for Stanford.

Dec 18, 2022; Stanford, California, USA; Stanford Cardinal football head coach Troy Taylor, center, waves while standing on the court with family during the second quarter of the game between the Stanford Cardinal and the Tennessee Lady Vols at Maples Pavilion.

Zach Arnett, Mississippi State

C

Replacing an icon like Mike Leach isn’t easy and I think the task may overwhelm him as the SEC gets harder with the addition of Texas and Oklahoma and an eventual nine-game conference schedule.

Sep 10, 2022; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive coordinator Zach Arnett against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium.

Deion Sanders, Colorado

C

Can he coach? He’s done it at a much lower level but this is not just a rebuilding job, it’s kind of trying to bring something back to life. His name is a splash for sure but I see 6-18 through his first two years.