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25 worst college football coaching hires in history

By Nicholas Ian Allen

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 1: Head coach Mike Price of the Washington State University Cougars manages the game from the sidelines during the 89th Rose Bowl game against University of Oklahoma Sooners at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2003 in Pasadena, California. Oklahoma defeated Washington St. 34-14. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 1: Head coach Mike Price of the Washington State University Cougars manages the game from the sidelines during the 89th Rose Bowl game against University of Oklahoma Sooners at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2003 in Pasadena, California. Oklahoma defeated Washington St. 34-14. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /
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30 Aug 1998: Head coach Paul Hackett of the University of Southern California Trojans looks on during the Pigskin Classic game against the Purdue University Boilermakers at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. USC defeated Purdue
30 Aug 1998: Head coach Paul Hackett of the University of Southern California Trojans looks on during the Pigskin Classic game against the Purdue University Boilermakers at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. USC defeated Purdue /

22. Paul Hackett, USC

  • Hired: January 1998
  • Fired: November 2000
  • Record at USC: 19-18 (.514)
  • Career head coaching record: 32-38-1 (.451)

Despite a lack of success as a head coach, Paul Hackett’s résumé read pretty well when he was hired at USC in 1998. He worked his way through the college coaching ranks from a job as a graduate assistant at UC Davis in 1969, to Cal in 1972 and USC in 1976, where he spent five seasons coaching quarterbacks.

Hackett then worked for five NFL franchises and spent four seasons as the head coach at Pitt (three as head coach) and left his job as offensive coordinator of the Kansas City Chiefs to join the Trojans. According to Hackett’s official bio:

"“He has tutored some of football’s top players–including Joe Montana, Marcus Allen, Jerry Rice, Andre Rison, Tony Dorsett, Steve Bartkowski, Charles White, Brian Sipe, Herschel Walker, Danny White, Dwight Clark and Vince Evans–and has worked under such head coaches as Bill Walsh, Tom Landry, Marty Schottenheimer and Robinson.”"

That’s a lot of Hall of Famers. Sure, Hackett was just 13-20-1 with the Panthers in his only other opportunity running a college football program, but the decision makers in Troy were swayed by the big names he had spent time with during 12 previous seasons at the pro level. There was hope he would lead the Trojans back to the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1995, and perhaps give USC its first national championship since 1978.

He didn’t – but the next guy did. After an 8-5 season and Sun Bowl appearance in 1998, the Trojans went 6-6 and 5-7 the next two years, respectively, and Hackett was fired. USC replaced him with Pete Carroll.

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