Power Ranking Pac-12 Football Head Coaches Post Mark Helfrich to Oregon

Chip Kelly out, Mark Helfrich in as the new head coach of the Oregon Ducks. The former Oregon offensive coordinator will now have the task of keeping one of the most exciting programs in college football at the top of the Pac-12, while filling in some big shoes that Kelly has left behind. He will also be joining a much underrated class of Pac-12 head coaches.

This conference has an interesting group of coaches, as many guys made their mark last season in their first year on the job. There are a few who are extremely accomplished, but the majority are still trying to prove themselves or live up to expectations that may have been assumed a little prematurely. And while a lot of pressure may be on Helfrich, he will be only one of three new head coaches in the Pac-12 heading into the 2013 season.

So what does the hire of the new Oregon coach mean for the power rankings?

Let's take a look.

Note: Rankings are put together on the overall potential of each head coach, based upon what each has accomplished lately. This is a conference in which everyone must prove himself in the Pac-12 before he gains respect. It doesn't matter what was done at other places, or for what each coach is known. Coaching is judged in the present, and that is how these rankings have been treated.

12. Mike MacIntyre, Colorado

Coaching Record at School: N/A

Overall Coaching Record: 16–21

Why This Is the Ranking: Mike MacIntyre deserves his props for being able to win at a school like San Jose State. Winning 10 games and leading the Spartans to a bowl win is nothing to sneeze at. However, he has only been a head coach for three seasons, and last year was the only season in which he had a winning record. With this being his first major head coaching job, at a school in which it is difficult to win, MacIntyre once again has his work cut out for him.

What He Can Do to Improve: MacIntyre is only in this position because he has to prove himself at the Pac-12 level. And like the San Jose State job, Colorado doesn't make it easy to win games and recruit top-tier talent. If the new head coach can put together four victories in his first season, he would instantly move up the rankings and give Buffalo fans something to be happy about. Yes, we are talking about baby steps in this situation.

11. Sonny Dykes, California

Coaching Record at School: N/A

Overall Coaching Record: 22–15

Why This Is the Ranking: As an offensive guy, Sonny Dykes should fit right in with the Bears. If he was able to lead Louisiana Tech to the best offense a year ago, California should see plenty of fireworks on the offensive side of the ball. The problem is that he hasn't been a head coach for very long, and this will be his first head coaching gig at a BCS program. Dykes will need to prove himself all over again before Golden Bear fans buy into what he is trying to sell.

What He Can Do to Improve: Dykes just needs to have a successful season by showing that California can compete with the big boys. Last season was absolutely brutal under Jeff Tedford, and this is a program that hasn't been ranked in the AP Poll in three years. If the Golden Bears can be competitive in the first season, it would be considered a success for Dykes.

10. Mark Helfrich, Oregon

Coaching Record at School: N/A

Overall Coaching Record: N/A

Why This Is the Ranking: Although Mark Helfrich is just days into his first head coaching gig of his career, he has potential to become a great replacement to Chip Kelly. He is familiar with the program and as the offensive coordinator since the 2009 season, he helped Kelly achieve a lot of his success. Sources say that Helfrich is so similar to the old Ducks coach that he can even finish Kelly's sentences. If the results are anything close to what the school has just experienced, there will be a lot of happy people in Eugene.

But like all of the newbie head coaches, Helfrich must prove himself before he can be ranked any higher on the totem pole.

What He Can Do to Improve: Keep the Oregon program afloat. Helfrich will have big shoes to fill, but many close to the situation think things are going to work out well with this transition. Now it is time for him to prove it and make a name for himself in the head coaching business.

9. Mike Leach, Washington State

Coaching Record at School: 3–9

Overall Coaching Record: 87–52

Why This Is the Ranking: There is no doubt that Mike Leach will eventually become successful in the Pac-12. He is one of the brightest offensive minds who ever lived, playing in a conference  known for its offensive production. He also helped Sonny Dykes land a head coaching job, as he was an assistant under Leach at Texas Tech.

The problem is that Leach went 3-9 in his first season, and there was also a little bit of controversy with wide receiver Marquess Wilson. With many head coaches in this conference making a name for themselves last season, Leach needs to start winning and try his best to stay out of trouble.

What He Can Do to Improve: Everybody knows what Leach is capable of, as his resumé speaks for itself. Last season was beyond horrible, and even the offensive side of the ball was ranked 109th in scoring. If Leach can get the ball rolling and begin showing some signs of life in his second season, he should be fine and begin to slide up the rankings. 

8. Lane Kiffin, USC

Coaching Record at School: 25–13

Overall Coaching Record: 32–19

Why This Is the Ranking: Lane Kiffin seems to get a pass because of his potential at the young age of 37 and his high-profile name. But what exactly has he done at the collegiate level to earn such an enormous amount of respect? Not only did one of the most talented teams in the country finish with a 7-6 record, but Kiffin himself seemed to bring unnecessary negative attention to the program every week with bizarre incidents. His stock took a hit with last year’s disappointing performance.

What He Can Do to Improve: Win. It is really that simple when it comes to Kiffin. He has more than enough talent at USC and should be competing for national championships each and every season. Once he proves he can get the job done, he will slide up the rankings. However, if expectations aren't met next season, he may be looking for a new head coaching job.

7. Todd Graham, Arizona State

Coaching Record at School: 8–5

Overall Coaching Record: 57–34

Why This Is the Ranking: If there is any head coach on this list who doesn't receive enough credit, it would be Todd Graham. The guy was able to win at places such as Rice and Tulsa, for crying out load. In his first season with Arizona State, he led the Sun Devils to an 8-5 record, which included a bowl victory for the first time since 2005. Graham has received a lot of heat for the way he has jumped from job to job over his career, but it looks like he is on the way to building something special with his new school.

What He Can Do to Improve: The next step would be to beat some ranked teams and get Arizona State to double-digit victories for the first time since 2007. Although last season was a success story, the Sun Devils were 0-3 against ranked teams. With the team that is returning next year, an even bigger surprise season could be in store for college football fans.

6. Kyle Whittingham, Utah

Coaching Record at School: 71–32

Overall Coaching Record: 71–32

Why This Is the Ranking: Urban Meyer helped get this Utah program off the ground, but it is Kyle Whittingham who has really put the work in and made this a team that the rest of the conference needs to respect. Whittingham has been with Utah for seven seasons, and last year was the only season this team didn't qualify for a bowl game. Despite not getting elite talent like some of the other programs in this conference, Whittingham has won 68 percent of his games and seven of his eight bowl appearances.

What He Can Do to Improve: Whittingham has to get his team back on track after the worst season of his head coaching career in 2012. A bowl appearance is a must, and Utah needs to show signs of contending in the Pac-12, as this will be the program's third year playing in the conference.

5. Jim L. Mora, UCLA

Coaching Record at School: 9–5

Overall Coaching Record: 9–5

Why This Is the Ranking: There wasn't anybody in the country that predicted UCLA would do what it did last year. Jim L. Mora was a first-year head coach at the college level, walking into a rocky situation that Rick Neuheisel had left behind. Still, the Bruins finished with a 9-5 record and ended up winning the Pac-12 South. Mora's performance has silenced his critics, and recruits are flocking to the other school in Southern California. I think it is safe to say that Mora has proven himself in one short year, and many great things could be soon to come.

What He Can Do to Improve: The next step for Mora would be to win the Pac-12. This may be asking a lot in only his second season, but nobody expected nine victories in his first one. An encore that included winning this conference would get the rest of those nonbelievers on board.

4. Rich Rodriguez, Arizona

Coaching Record at School: 8–5

Overall Coaching Record: 134–93–2

Why This Is the Ranking: After taking a couple of years off, Rich Rodriguez showed he still has some of his coaching magic when he made an impressive debut with Arizona. The eight victories in his first season tied Jim Young for the most in a debut season at Arizona. His Wildcats were also the first team in program history since 1921 to score at least 50 points four times in one season. Arizona ended up winning a bowl game for the first time since 2008 and brighter days seem to be ahead.

What He Can Do to Improve: The offense is obviously going to work with Rodriguez calling the shots, but the defense must improve from a year ago. If Arizona can become a little more balanced, the sky may be the limit for Rodriguez and the Wildcats.

3. Mike Riley, Oregon State

Coaching Record at School: 81–67

Overall Coaching Record: 81–67

Why This Is the Ranking: Mike Riley is the winningest active coach in the Pac-12 with 81 victories under his belt. And just when folks were ready to show him the door, Riley helped string together nine victories and put Oregon State in a bowl game for the first time in three years. Riley has really done well for the Beavers, leading the program into the AP Poll in six of the last seven seasons, but he still needs to add a little bit more consistency to his resumé. 

What He Can Do to Improve: Riley needs to build off of last year’s success. Getting the Beavers back in a bowl game and competing hard with some of the top teams in the conference excited people again. It is time for Riley to begin pushing for a Pac-12 title.

2. Steve Sarkisian, Washington

Coaching Record at School: 26–25

Overall Coaching Record: 26–25

Why This Is the Ranking: Before Steve Sarkisian arrived on campus, Washington was coming fresh off of a 0-12 season under Tyrone Willingham. In four seasons, the Huskies have reached three straight bowl games and been that program that seems to be on the cusp of really turning the corner. Due to the rapid turnaround, Washington has been able to do some serious renovations to Husky Stadium, and the program is quickly on the rise. A total of 13 players have been selected in the NFL draft in the short time Sarkisian has been with Washington.

What He Can Do to Improve: Washington returns a ton of talent on both sides of the ball and should be considered a sleeper to win the Pac-12. If this team can get it done and shock some of the folks who still don't believe, Sarkisian has a chance at being the top coach in this entire conference.

1. David Shaw, Stanford

Coaching Record at School: 23–4

Overall Coaching Record: 23–4

Why This Is the Ranking: There are now no more excuses for why David Shaw has been successful with Stanford. Jim Harbaugh is long gone, and even without Andrew Luck on the roster, the Cardinal finished with a 12-2 record and a Rose Bowl victory last season. Shaw also won the Pac-12 Coach of the Year award, becoming just the fifth coach in this conference to win the hardware in back-to-back seasons. Shaw is proving everybody wrong, and he seems to have his program heading into the right direction.

What He Can Do to Improve: Stanford has reached three straight BCS bowls and just won the Pac-12 Championship. With the team that is returning, contending for a national championship isn't out of reach. At the very least, Stanford should defend its conference title and once again appear in another BCS bowl. This would keep Shaw at the top of all of the other Pac-12 coaches.