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Grading every 2018 college football coaching hire: Fisher, Mullen pass first test; Taggart needs summer school

By Rucker Haringey

GAINESVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 06: Head coach Dan Mullen of the Florida Gators celebrates with fans following a 27-19 victory over the LSU Tigers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on October 6, 2018 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 06: Head coach Dan Mullen of the Florida Gators celebrates with fans following a 27-19 victory over the LSU Tigers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on October 6, 2018 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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BOWLING GREEN, OH – OCTOBER 30: Kent State Golden Flashes head coach Sean Lewis talks his team during a timeout during a game between the Kent State Golden Flashes and the Bowling Green Falcons on October 30, 2018 at Doyt Perry Stadium in Bowling Green, Ohio. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BOWLING GREEN, OH – OCTOBER 30: Kent State Golden Flashes head coach Sean Lewis talks his team during a timeout during a game between the Kent State Golden Flashes and the Bowling Green Falcons on October 30, 2018 at Doyt Perry Stadium in Bowling Green, Ohio. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Sean Lee – Kent State

  • Replaced: Paul Haynes
  • Record: 2-10

Kent State enjoyed one spectacular season under Darrell Hazell, but otherwise, their program has been as gray as the Northeast Ohio sky. The administration was hoping Sean Lee’s youthful exuberance could turn things around, but that clearly didn’t happen in year one. The former Syracuse assistant was the youngest coach in FBS last season. That didn’t help him get the most out of his players. The Golden Flashes only managed wins over Howard and Bowling Green. It was a poor season even by the program’s low standards.

Grade: D

Billy Napier – Louisiana

  • Replaced: Mark Hudspeth
  • Record: 7-5

The Ragin Cajuns’ program had gotten stale under Mark Hudspeth. Specifically, the administration wanted to hire a coach who could generate some excitement. It’s safe to say Napier accomplished that in year one. He only bettered the program’s record from 2017 by two games, but there’s a big difference between 5-7 and 7-5. Louisiana is also set to take on Appalachian State for the Sun Belt title. In other words, Napier is off to a really good start. Things in this conference can change in a hurry, but the administration’s decision to fire Hudspeth has been justified.

Grade: A-

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