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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)
3 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Lisa Horne about 1 year ago
I liked this! A lot. Ok, I'm ready for football.
Hawkins has a tough job at Colorado. But he did beat the Sooners, so there's a plus! If he can beat another Big 12 conference champion contender, I expect his recruiting to get better, and his stock to go up.
As far as Dennis the Menace, I honestly believe he's waiting for Pete Carroll to go back to the NFL so he can land the SC coaching job. It's his ultimate goal. Great coach, questionable recruiting characteristics, and slowing moving west.
Bielema is a very good coach. Underrated. The problem I see is this: Fresno State. Why do I think the Badgers will just crumple against the Dogs, ruining their BCS chances? If he can beat Fresno State, he's got a great shot at a BCS bowl. I mean, great shot. But that's a big if.
Five stars for this piece! Just loved all of it. Thanks for the great read.
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Tim Pollock about 1 year ago
I'm with Lisa about Hawkins. No one could have won immediately with the team he inherited. I like the guy a lot as a coach, and I think he's building the right way. The Buffs will definitely spring some more upsets this year. Big 12 gets more and more interesting...
Well done article.
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Stuart Whitehair about 1 year ago
I have to second the comments of both Lisa and Tim. Hawkins is in the process of bringing CU back, though there may be some hand-wringing at the end of '08. With a stretch of West Virginia, at Florida State, Texas, and at Kansas in games 3-6, the Buffs may have a better team but not a better record. A winning season and a minor bowl may be the springboard for a great '09.
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