CHIP KELLY Purgatory UCLA
Kelly, the former Oregon and Philadelphia Eagles coach is back
on the west coast coaching a Pac-12 team where he built his
legacy as an offensive innovator. From 2009-2012 at Oregon,
Kelly’s Ducks were 46-7 and played for a national championship.
Unfortunately, Marcus Mariota is not walking through the door
to quarterback the Bruins, but Kelly will develop talent. He’s at a
top spot in the Pac-12 and should reel in talent. He’s a solid hire
even if he does not win forty-six games right away like he did at UO.
CHAD MORRIS SMU Arkansas
A quiet guy by nature, Morris will be quite a change for the
Razorbacks. Last year, he led SMU to their first bowl game
since 2012.
WILLIE TAGGART Oregon Florida State
Taggart spent just one year at Oregon but proved to be one of
the hottest names in the profession. Taggart is an offensive
genius who should attract top talent in Tallahassee, Florida, a
state in which talent is around every corner.
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KEVIN SUMLIN Texas A&M Arizona
Arizona is the least desirable job on this list thus far, but they
landed a proven winner in Sumlin. Contrast that to Arizona
State’s hire of former NFL coach Herm Edwards, and you see
why this is a good hire for the Wildcats.
MARIO CRISTOBAL Offensive Coordinator at Oregon
Head Coach at Oregon
Cristobal was not immensely successful at FIU in his five years
at the helm there, and as a result, some believe Oregon settled
with this hire, but if he can keep continuity with what Taggart
started, he can have success in Eugene. Cristobal spent four years
learning from Nick Saban after that FIU stint.
JOSH HEUPEL Missouri Offensive Coordinator UCF
Heupel is an up-and-coming offensive mind that inherits high
expectations after a 13-0 season. Missouri averaged 31.4 points
per game in Heupel’s lone season at the helm.