B/R CFB Community: Who Is the Coach of the Year?
The assignment is simple, but the path to accomplishing the goal is anything but.
Naming a Coach of the Year in college football is never easy. With so many teams and unique expectations, the conversation surrounding this honor often gets muddied.
By way of example, Kirby Smart has done a fabulous job of rebooting a Georgia roster that lost more than a dozen stars. Smart, however, also has a dozen future stars waiting to blossom—something few other programs have.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
See what I mean?
We asked B/R readers to give us their nominees for Coach of the Year, and we were blown away by the responses. (Smart's name did come up, by the way. Just not as much as the names mentioned below.)
Here they are, in all their glory.
Husky Turnaround
User: @Thor1225
Response: Mora at UConn
We begin out East, focusing on a program that has been one of college football's greatest doormats for some while.
When Jim Mora was hired, the response was largely underwhelming. From a name standpoint, it made some sense. And given how bad things were at UConn, how much worse could it get?
Well, it has worked out brilliantly. After losing four of their first five games, the Huskies have won five of six. This includes the most recent triumph, a 36-33 win over Liberty. With that, UConn became bowl-eligible.
To understand what this means, one must understand where this program has been.
From 2016 to 2021, UConn won a grand total of 10 games. Last year, UConn ranked No. 129 out of 130 teams in scoring offense. On defense, the Huskies ranked No. 123.
The fact that they are bowling a year later is nothing short of remarkable. Mora has been magnificent, and I support this movement a great deal.
An Unanticipated Contender
User: @jesb1984
Response: Mike Norvell duhhh
A few weeks ago—three weeks to be specific—Mike Norvell was not a name worthy of this list.
Florida State had lost three tight games against Wake Forest, North Carolina State and Clemson, which brought the Seminoles' record to 4-3. Since then, FSU has outscored its three opponents 124-22. The latest win, a 38-3 domination of Syracuse, was one of the finest Seminoles wins in some time.
Now, Florida State has found a rhythm for the first time in a long time. And at 7-3, with contests upcoming against Louisiana and Florida, the Noles can win nine games for the first time since 2016.
While Norvell started the year squarely on the hot seat, the chatter has subsided. It's been a rocky road, but the future feels both stable and bright.
And yet this wouldn't be my choice. Norvell has been superb, and FSU fans should be optimistic. It just feels like a handful of coaches have done more with less or made bigger splashes.
Fast and Furious
User: @jbrooks85
Response: Heupel easily. Tennessee wasn't ranked to start the year. His second year also after taking over a dumpster fire.
Tennessee did not reach UConn levels of bad, though Josh Heupel inherited a mess when he arrived. Whether it was with transfers or roster holes, he did not exactly get a friendly greeting when he touched down in Knoxville.
A 7-6 season in 2021 was impressive given the circumstances. It also could have been better. Now, at 9-1 in his second year, Heupel has undoubtedly done an exceptional job with a roster that has nowhere close to the amount of talent it will have in a few seasons.
Tennessee has the nation's No. 1 scoring offense. In 2020, the Vols ranked No. 108. The fact that this success has come against a challenging schedule only adds to Heupel's robust résumé.
Back-to-back wins over LSU and Alabama look fantastic. Those victories, plus others, have put Tennessee in a position to still make the playoff as a non-conference champion.
Heupel has been splendid. Given the opposition and expectations, it's hard to envision a more deserving coach. Then again, this is a loaded year for deserving coaches.
Sweet Baby Blue
User: @clteffy
Response: Mack "Attack" Brown
If there is such a thing as a quiet 9-1, this is it. Despite losing one of the most productive quarterbacks North Carolina has ever had to the NFL draft, the Tar Heels have actually upgraded at the position with Drake Maye. (Seriously, he's incredible.)
Mack Brown deserves the utmost credit for that. After an underwhelming six-win season a year ago, UNC has put itself in a position to crash the playoff.
With two games remaining, the Heels have already booked their ticket to the ACC Championship Game. Brown's team will take on Clemson, and the impact from a victory could be sizable.
Regardless, Brown deserves a ton of credit for bringing this team to this point already. Expectations entering the season were mixed. We didn't know Brown had perhaps the best quarterback in the sport on his roster, and the result has been a memorable run that has a chance to continue.
This one makes plenty of sense. Brown isn't my choice, but he's certainly in the team photo.
The Ultimate Bayou Makeover
User: @PapiChulo024
Response: If Brian Kelly isn't coach of the year, I call BS
Did you watch LSU's bowl game last year?
It could barely fill a roster, and that is not hyperbole. Jontre Kirklin, a wideout and defensive back, started at quarterback. To put it mildly, it was a mess.
Since then, Brian Kelly has done a remarkable job under challenging circumstances. The emergence of true freshman Harold Perkins Jr., who had four sacks Saturday, certainly has helped. The arrival of quarterback Jayden Daniels, formerly of Arizona State, has also provided an enormous boost.
The fact that we're highlighting two players who weren't on the roster last year signifies the job Kelly has done. Four straight wins over Florida, Ole Miss, Alabama and most recently Arkansas have reshaped the Tigers' season.
Despite having two games remaining, the Bayou Bengals have already secured a spot in the SEC Championship Game.
How does one pick between Kelly and Heupel? Well, Tennessee clobbered LSU 40-13.
But if Kelly beats Georgia for the SEC title, we're going to need to revisit this discussion.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
