Grading every college football coaching hire from 2022 after year 1

Clay Helton is at a place where he can totally redeem himself in Georgia Southern

Although Clay Helton was revealed to be a fish out of water at USC, he seems to have found a decent re-entry point into the coaching profession at Georgia Southern. The Eagles not only have a proud football history, but reside in a talent-rich state. GSU may always be a Group of Five program, but it is one where Helton can win at. He already went to his first bowl game in year one.

Grade: B-

Timmy Chang took over his alma mater’s team super late and won three games

Admittedly, we are grading a bit on a curve here with former Hawaii superstar quarterback Timmy Chang taking over at his alma mater. He was the last head coach hired in the previous cycle. With Hawaii going through an embarrassing lack of resources, it is truly shocking they won three games last season. If anybody can show people why Hawaii football is so awesome, that would be Chang.

Grade: C+

Michael Desormeaux needs to prove he is not just riding Billy Napier’s coattails

Although it would be amazing to see Michael Desormeaux have great success leading his alma mater’s program, year two will be critical for him to prove he is not just riding Billy Napier’s coattails. Louisiana had never been this nationally relevant before Napier’s departure to Florida. Desormeaux had the Ragin’ Cajuns bowling in year one, but they were only a 6-7 team last year.

Grade: B-

Sonny Cumbie being overlooked by his alma mater was probably the right call

Sonny Cumbie may have been a former walk-on at Texas Tech, but he did not do enough to get the gig full-time after being their interim. Texas Tech went with Joey McGuire over Cumbie. Although Cumbie did get to lead a team of his own in Louisiana Tech, the Bulldogs went a dreadful 3-9 in his first season at the helm. Texas Tech looks to be right by not removing the interim tag with Cumbie.

Grade: C+

Return to Page 1