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Tim Albin, Bill Belichick, and More: Five Favorite Head Coach Hires

Five Favorite Head Coach Hires

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Dec 14
Dec 14

By: Mike Huesmann

It’s time for my annual favorite hire list. As I expected, we had historically low levels of movement in the Big Ten and SEC, so this list looks different from any I’ve ever done. You’ll notice a pattern in this list, G5 teams that hired good coaches away from other G5 teams. We have three of them here.

Tim Albin

Ohio —> Charlotte

In 2021 Albin set out to accomplish the near impossible: replacing Frank Solich after his 16-year tenure at Ohio. That year, he won three games; since then, he has won 10 each season. That is impressive considering that MAC teams are known for scheduling payout games and getting pummeled in non-conference play. He has not lost more than two conference games since his first year. Charlotte could be a sleeping giant. Great location, talent all around, and Biff didn’t leave Albin in a terrible situation.

Jake Dickert

Washington State —>Wake Forest

I have been vocal for a long time that Washington State and Oregon State would lose good coaches due to a lack of conference stability. This is exactly what happened last year with Jonathan Smith, who was on last season’s list, and not Dickert. This move doesn’t happen without that. Dave Clawson is a heck of a coach, and all Wake fans should give him a round of applause, but things went stagnant in the end. Dickert has work ahead of him, back-to-back four-win seasons weren’t great for Wake. He is coming off of an eight-win season and did well with John Mateer. He has made two great coordinator hires in Rob Ezell and Scottie Hazelton.

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Charles Huff

Marshall —> Southern Miss

As a Marshall guy it pains me to say it, but Huff was a massive hire for Southern Miss. Think about this: you’re the last-place team in your conference, and you hire the head coach away from the conference champion in the same conference, before he and the AD can’t play nice. That’s a successful coup any way you slice it. Huff, a former Nick Saban assistant, was with the Herd for four seasons and made a bowl game in each of them. In my opinion, he was never treated fairly in Huntington, probably because he had no Marshall ties and was held to a different standard. The portal acquisitions combined with the hies he’s made should make USM competitive instantly in the Sun Belt.

Bill Belichick

North Carolina (Didn’t coach in 2024)

The people and websites, I’m looking at you On3, who have UNC as a playoff team next year have unrealistic expectations and are crazy. That roster isn’t on that level yet and I’m not convinced they have an elite QB. That being said, this is as notable a hire as you can have. Arguably the best NFL coach ever goes to a mid-level P4 program that is outside the Big 10 and SEC, that’s great for the Tar Heels. He’ll bring expertise, a winning mindset, top notch coaches, and should attract talent. In college football today you need resources and he will increase that as much as anyone could. Even some changes (see below) that we didn’t expect. I’m realistic with how long it will take to work, but how can you not love this hire?

Bronco Mendenhall

New Mexico —> Utah State

Utah State has only had one winning season since 2020. Blake Anderson showed glimpses but had only one solid year. Nate Dreiling went 4-8 as interim this past season. The Aggies have largely underachieved if you look at the talent on their rosters, which has been solid by Mountain West standards. Last year at conference rival New Mexico he won five games, modest, but their best season since 2016. Winning that many games in year one at one of the five worst jobs in America is impressive. Bronco is the kind of experienced veteran who could really right the ship here. He was outstanding in 11 seasons at BYU and decent during his six seasons at Virginia. Going back to his native Utah could be mutually beneficial.

Honorable Mention: 

Hires I like but just missed the cut. Rich Rodriguez, West Virginia. Scott Frost, UCF. Joe Harasymiak, UMass. Barry Odom, Purdue. 

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