National Signing Day 2012: 10 Coaches Who Need a Great Class

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As national signing day rushes towards us, coaches all over the country are still working hard to land the best recruits.

And some coaches need them much more than others.

Some coaches need them because they've just lost a bunch of talent to the NFL Draft and need to replace them. Others coaches are already in hot water and need great recruits to get their teams turned around before they get the boot.

Who are they? Read on.

Nick Saban, Alabama

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Simply put, Alabama needs a great recruiting class because of the sheer amount of talent that's headed off to the NFL, including Trent Richardson, Dont'a Hightower and Courtney Upshaw.

I wouldn't worry too much if I was a Crimson Tide fan, though. Saban is a top notch recruiter, and Alabama currently has the No. 1 class, according to Rivals.com.

Jeff Tedford, Cal

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Jeff Tedford is already firmly on the hot seat after another mediocre year at Cal. He needs to get some good recruits and some momentum going into 2012 or he won't have a job in 2013.

Unfortunately for Tedford, the loss of Tosh Lupoi as a recruiting coordinator has been disastrous for the Golden Bears. Several recruits, not the least of which is defensive lineman Ellis McCarthy, have de-committed and are looking elsewhere.

Tedford needs to convince these recruits to stay—and quick.

Mike Riley, Oregon State

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Mike Riley managed to beat only three teams this season, and the Beavers finished at No. 100 in scoring offense and No. 89 in scoring defense.

That's not winning formula by any stretch of the imagination.

Riley needs some top notch players, and fast.

Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State

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Oklahoma State just had one of its best years ever, but they've lost the best quarterback/wide receiver duo in the country in Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon to the NFL.

Gundy could use a bit more talent on defense as well.

Frank Spaziani, Boston College

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Boston College is caught in a death spiral right now. It's been a while since the Eagles have been relevant on the national stage, and Spaziani needs to get something going to put Boston College back on the map.

Time's running out after a 4-8 season and finishing at No. 112 in scoring offense.

Boston College needs some knockout recruits, particularly on offense, to get things back on track.

Randy Edsall, Maryland

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Randy Edsall's first year at Maryland couldn't have gone much worse. Everything from the football to the uniforms has been a disaster.

This is why you don't fire a coach for no good reason, and one that went 9-4 and won a bowl game.

Edsall better have a top notch recruit class, or else.

Chris Petersen, Boise State

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After losing a ton of talent, including quarterback Kellen Moore, Boise State is in for its roughest year since Chris Petersen took the job. The Broncos have won at least 10 games every year since 2006.

If the Broncos are going to continue to get double-digit wins, they need some new talent and the need it now.

Derek Dooley, Tennessee

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There's no doubt that Derek Dooley inherited a mess at Tennessee, but he's going into his third year. He should have most of the pieces that he needs to bring the Volunteers back by now.

Conventional wisdom is that you give a coach at least four years, as it takes that long for a coach to build a team made up completely of players he recruited for his system.

Dooley has only recruiting year left under that wisdom. He better get on it.

Mack Brown, Texas

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Texas AD DeLoss Dodds is recommending that Mack Brown get a four year contract extension, but the Longhorns' production over the last two years has been subpar. It's true that Texas got to and won a bowl game this year, but Texas is about winning championships.

And Texas is still a long way away from doing that by the looks of their 2011 season.

Mack will probably get his contract extension, but unless Texas can get some great talent to give this program a shot in the arm, Brown will be unemployed by the time his contract runs out.