College Football 2011: David Shaw, 5 Coaches Who Will Make a Splash

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

During the offseason, 35 teams changed coaches.

Several big name programs, along with small schools, decided to take their program in a different direction.

Some coaches will look to turn around reeling traditions, while others will look to create a new powerhouse in the college football world.

Not all of these coaches will reach their goal, but it will be their job to get the players to buy into his system as efficiently as possible.

Here are five coaches at new programs who will make a splash in 2011:

 

-------------------------------------------------

For more college football predictions, check out this article breaking down unranked teams to fear next season!

Will Muschamp

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

Will Muschamp has already held three high-profile positions in his career. After serving as a defensive coordinator at Auburn and Texas, Muschamp will be bringing his energy to Gainesville, Florida.

Muschamp will face the tough task in "The Swamp" of redeeming a program still shaking after the loss of all-everything quarterback Tim Tebow.

The new skipper has a chance to emerge as the new go-to-guy for a program looking to stay in the spotlight. Muschamp is a rising star on the sidelines.

With new offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, Muschamp will look to keep the Gators in the win column.

If their typical speed can collect highlight reel runs, and John Brantley can emerge as a viable option in the pocket, the Gators could be clapping again in 2011.

Muschamp will have his players ready to play, and play hard. He is a tough personality, and he will demand top efforts from all participating players.

Look for the Gators to bounce back in a big way in 2011.

Randy Edsall

Mitchell Layton/Getty Images

Randy Edsall took the Connecticut Huskies to two bowls in his tenure in Storrs, Connecticut.

Now, Edsall will move onto a more prominent opportunity in College Park, Maryland.

Edsall certainly face more pressure. The ACC is still not the best conference in the BCS, but it is a step up from the questionable Big East.

Returning quarterback Danny O'Brien on offense, along with a stable of receivers will have hopes high on the Terrapins offense.

Kenny Tate is a great talent on defense, and should keep that unit afloat.

Edsall is going to have a lot of eyes on his Terps in 2011. With the arm of O'Brien, and a winning attitude, look for Edsall to keep the Maryland Terrapins on the up-and-up.

Brady Hoke

Leon Halip/Getty Images

Rich Rodriguez failed to replace Lloyd Carr in his brief stint in the Big Ten.

In 2011, it will be Brady Hoke's turn to face the music.

Hoke will be facing a much higher level of competition, after leaving the San Diego State Aztecs in the Mountain West conference.

Given the tradition of Michigan's program, and the state of said tradition, Hoke will have a lot on his plate early.

Heisman trophy candidate Denard Robinson is back behind center, but a switch to a pro-style offense will be very interesting early in the season.

Speed and raw talent returns on defense, but work still needs to be done.

Hoke has the rare blessing of having one player who can carry a team. Denard Robinson is a do-it-all force on offense, and if he can learn to play more in the pocket and behind center, the Michigan offense could be one to fear in 2011.

Todd Graham

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

After Dave Wannstedt was relieved of his post on the Pittsburgh sidelines, the Panthers inked Mike Haywood to a contract for next season.

However, after an altercation at his home, Haywood would face domestic violence charges and be relieved of his pending coaching duty.

Enter Todd Graham.

Graham ran an uber-fast attack with the Tulsa Hurricane last year, and is ready to bring that attack to the east coast.

He likes to snap the ball at an almost continuous rate, and believes in getting in as many plays as possible.

If Tino Sunseri can adapt early to this pace, the Panthers have the pieces to contend in the weak Big East.

The Panthers return Jared Holley in the secondary, and will also have both corners back patrolling the field.

It all will come down to Sunseri's ability to adapt.

David Shaw

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Jim Harbaugh has departed to the NFL's San Francisco 49ers, and David Shaw has been handed the reins to a stacked Cardinal squad.

From the venerable Andrew Luck to the extremely underrated ball carrier Stepfan Taylor, this Stanford team will have no problems carving up Pac-12 defenses.

The defense should be more physical with Shane Skov and Delano Howell patrolling the middle of the field.

Shaw is facing enormous pressure. He is expected to replace a great coach seamlessly. Stanford is still expected to finish in the top five and possibly make a BCS championship run.

Based on talent, the Cardinal have what it takes. A failure to adapt to Shaw's mentality could be the only speed bump.

In the end, I'll take the arm of Andrew Luck any day.