Which Group of Five Coaches are Next to Join the Power Four?

By Alec Nederveld

Many great coaches have started at the Group of Five level before moving into bigger schools. Nick Saban, Urban Meyer, Kalen DeBoer, and Brian Kelly are just examples of that. In the last hiring cycle, Brent Brennan (San Jose State), Curt Cignetti (James Madison), and Willie Fritz (Tulane) received the promotion to the Power Four. Here’s who I think are next to join them.

Barry Odom, UNLV

It’s rare to see a former SEC head coach who was decent (especially for Missouri) sitting in the Mountain West. Especially when that guy showed he still knows what he’s doing. Barry Odom was 25-25 at Missouri, very respectable, especially since that was his first-ever head coaching job as a 38-year-old.

Besides his Tiger head coaching tenure, Odom brought a top-10 defense in scoring and yards allowed as Missouri’s Defensive Coordinator in 2015. At Memphis in 2014, the defensive coordinator led Memphis to the No. 5 scoring defense and a share of the AAC Championship. Odom also helped rebuild Arkansas as their DC between 2020-2022. Lastly, Odom held the title of Director of Football Recruiting and Director of Football Operations at Missouri, showing he knows more than just Xs and Os.

In his first season at UNLV, Odom gave the Rebels their best season in 40 years. They went 9-5, reaching the MWC Championship game and beating SEC foe Vanderbilt in the process. Look for him to rejoin the SEC, or a Power Four school soon.

Nov 16, 2019; Columbia, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Barry Odom watches the replay board during a play review in the second half against the Florida Gators at Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field.

Jamey Chadwell, Liberty

Jamey Chadwell’s name has been brought up many times for Power-four openings. He was a candidate to replace Bryan Harsin at Auburn and more recently for Zach Arnett at Mississippi State. Chadwell has earned those looks after taking Coastal Carolina from an FBS upstart to consecutive 11-win seasons. He’s continued his momentum by going 13-1 in his first season at Liberty, winning an overmatched C-USA. Prior to his FBS success, Chadwell went 35-14 and reached only two FCS playoff appearances at Charleston Southern and delivered Divison 2’s Delta State their best season in program history.

One of the feathers in Chadwell’s hat is quarterback development. He turned Grayson McCall from a 2-star quarterback into the most efficient quarterback in NCAA history, with a 207.6 passing efficiency in 2021. At Liberty, Kaidon Salter emerged from just a guy to one of the best dual-threat QBs in the country.

Chadwell may lack Power Four experience, but the system he’s built and his success at all previous levels should make him a desirable coach. I think he will get a P4 job next year after another strong season with Liberty. Their schedule certainly helps that cause.

Nov 11, 2023; Lynchburg, Virginia, USA; Liberty Flames head coach Jamey Chadwell after the game at Williams Stadium.

G.J. Kinne, Texas State

Younger than only two coaches, with an offensive as potent as anybody in the country, G.J. Kinne is primed to soon take the next step in his career. The 35-year-old coach has spent two years as an offensive coordinator, two more as a head coach, all four being at different schools, all of them ending with a winning record. That includes reaching the FCS Semifinals in 2022 and going 8-5 at his only Texas State season so far. That’s their best season in program history.

Kinne is a former quarterback who started his career at Texas before transferring to Tulsa and making a couple NFL practice squads, CFL rosters, and Arena Football League teams. He’s limited in P4 coaching experience, only spending one year as an analyst at Arkansas, but his offensive resume and transfer portal management are very attractive. A big part of Texas State’s 2023 season is because of the players added in the Transfer Portal, like star RB Ismail Mahdi and QB TJ Finley.

With strong Texas ties, expect to see Kinne coaching in the Big 12 soon. Baylor, who Texas State beat in the 2023 opener could have an opening and would be a great hire to bring the Bears back to a similar system from the Art Briles era.

Sep 2, 2023; Waco, Texas, USA; Texas State Bobcats head coach G.J. Kinne avoid the powerade bath following the game against the Baylor Bears during the second half at McLane Stadium.

Jon Sumrall, Tulane

I expected Jon Sumrall to land in the Power Four last cycle. He spent two seasons as a head coach, winning double-digit games and the Sun Belt Conference in both seasons at Troy. Instead, he was hired by Tulane, who immediately became one of the favorites to win the AAC and make the CFB Playoffs in 2024.

Sumrall was a former Linebacker for Kentucky, and he’s spent five seasons coaching there in various roles. He also spent 2018 as Ole Miss’ LB coach, five at FCS San Diego, and previous tenures at Troy and Tulane. He’s got a great resume, always improving the program, and a strong reputation as a defensive mind. That will certainly be attractive next season, especially if Tulane makes the CFP or even wins 10 games.