Check out College Gridiron Boss for similarly great coaching content.
Chris Peterson, Boise State (13-0 in '06, 10-3 in '07)
Peterson became the first coach ever to have a 13-0 record in his first season as head coach. Peterson took over a nice situation in Boise, following Dirk Koetter and Dan Hawkins (0.828 winning percentage in five years).
Although he did have to replace a successful QB, year two was a bit of a disappointment. Being upset by East Carolina in the poorly attended Hawaii Bowl was a far different bowl experience than his first season.
Peterson was rumored for the UCLA job, but he appears willing to wait for the perfect fit before leaving the high desert. Given Hawkins' slow going at Colorado, Peterson may not be a lock for a BCS program.
Turner Gill, Buffalo (2-10, 5-7)
The former Cornhusker took over a tough situation. An improvement to 5-7 in his second year marked Buffalo's best season ever in Division I-A. Gill was rumored for the job at Nebraska, his alma mater.
Gill, 45, was expected to learn on the job at Buffalo, so a second-year record of 5-7 puts him ahead of schedule.
Dan Hawkins, Colorado (2-10, 6-7)
Coach Hawk was highly desired while at Boise State, so many are surprised he hasn't had instant success in Boulder. Colorado was likely set for a downturn regardless of coaching, so perhaps Hawkins should be given a pass on his early struggles.
In year three he won't get such a pass. Another baby step in 2008 and people will have to question if Hawkins can ever get Colorado to be dominant in an improving Big 12 North.
Dennis Erickson, Idaho (4-8, ---)
Erickson returned to Idaho where he cut his coaching teeth in the early '80s. He didn't stay long this time, leaving for Arizona State after one season and upsetting the Vandal faithful. You would expect Erickson, 61, to be on his last job.
Ron Prince, Kansas State (7-6, 5-7)
Kansas State surprised a lot of people when they went outside the Bill Snyder coaching tree to tab his replacement. Ron Prince surprised a lot of people when he upset Texas and played in the Texas Bowl in his first season.
More head-scratching ensued when Prince followed up his first season with a difficult 5-7 season behind a struggling defense. Will the real Ron Prince please step forward?
Rick Stockstill, Middle Tennessee State (7-6, 5-7)
Similar to Prince, Stockstill went bowling in year one only to regress in his second year. Stockstill has a solid pedigree, coaching at South Carolina and Clemson, but in order to get a promotion to a BCS program, more gridiron success must come.
Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern (4-8, 6-6)
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