Coaches Rankings--ACC Edition

This is my introductory article to what will become a comprehensive look at college football for 2009.  Today's preview begins with a ranking ACC coaches (with other conferences soon to follow). 

These rankings take into account longevity, coaching skill, and changes in team performances over time.  For coaches on the job less than five years, winning percentage is compared versus the team's record for the five year's prior to their taking the position.  For the coaches with more than five years experience at a school, the winning percentage of the last three years is compared against career winning percentage. 

ACC Rankings:

1.  Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech.  He has led this program to national prominence and they are currently the flagship of the ACC, coming off back-to-back conference titles and having a total of six conference titles since 1995.  "Beamerball" has also become a household term (for those that follow football anyway).

2.  Jim Grobe, Wake Forest.  Not sure what is more impressive: a .500 record at Ohio University or an ACC title with Wake.  Both indicate that he can coach, and his misdirection rushing attack gives opponents nightmares.  Wake Forest also has a .700 winning percentage over the past 3 years.  That's amazing.

3.  Bobby Bowden, Florida State.  No, he's not the Riverboat Gambler anymore, and no one believes that he can outfox some of the young talent in this league, but remember these ratings also consider longevity.  309 wins at Florida State, 2 National Titles, 13 ACC titles, and 14 straight Top-4 finishes all combine to make an impressive case.  Did anyone notice FSU tied for the top spot in the Atlantic last season?

4.  Butch Davis, North Carolina.  This is the season that he either shoots up or down on this list.  Certainly, he has credibility for building the Miami program back to prominence in the late '90s, but right now he is 12-12 in two seasons on the Hill.  The fact UNC only won 32 percent of its games before his arrival also signifies that he has made some progress.

5.  Ralph Friedgen, Maryland.  This rating is may be surprising, but consider that Friedgen has won over 60 percent of his games and his Terps broke the FSU stranglehold on conference titles. Like Davis, however, this season will either help the Fridge sink or swim in this rating pool.

6.  Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech.  This rating is too low but he has only been on the job for one full season.  There is little doubt that his offense is baffling and will only improve as the pieces are put into place.  He won big at Navy for crying out loud.  As he stays at Tech, he will likely shoot up the ratings.

7.  Dave Cutcliffe, Duke.  Again, it's only been one year.  Duke, however, won 4 games last season (after winning all of 8 from 2003-2007).  Coach Cut seriously upgraded the talent with this recruiting class, and there is strong indication that he is clearing out the "dead weight" in the program.  He's pretty good with the Xs and Os too— just look at Tennessee with and without him as offensive coordinator.

8.  Tom O'Brien, NC State  Just a few years ago, he would have been in the top 4-5 ACC coaches.  That is an indication of the improved quality of coaches in the league rather than an indictment of Coach O'Brien.  Still, in his first two seasons in Raleigh, he is 11-14.  He was under .500 his first two seasons at BC also, and then ran off 8 straight bowl bids. 

9.  Al Groh, Virginia.  Longevity is a factor in these ratings, and Groh has been just good enough to hang around for 8 seasons so far.  Every few years he surprises everyone with a 8-9 win season, and yet Virginia has not been able to get over the hump and seriously challenge for an ACC title.  Another sub-.500 year might be his last.

10. Randy Shannon, Miami, FL.  This is a tough one because Coach Shannon appears to have all the qualities needed to be a great head coach— he recruits well, is a solid defensive tactician, and seems to be able to motivate his players through a fair, yet disciplined approach.  For whatever reason, it has not paid off, however, and the seat is getting as hot as the summer sun on South Beach. 

11.  Dabo Swinney, Clemson.  The jury is still out on Swinney.  He won 4 of 7 games last season after taking over from Tommy Bowden. The players, for the most part, welcomed the change.  He is young, energetic, and passionate about the Tigers, but Clemson is a tough situation— overzealous fans have high expectations that are often impossible to meet. 

12.  Frank Spaziani, Boston College.  Part of this ranking is the way the previous coach was handled, but here is another part.  BC removed a popular coach and replaced him with a 62-year-old with no previous head coaching experience.  That makes one wonder why he has not had a shot before now?  He has been a loyal assistant at BC since 1997, and hopefully, the favor will be returned.  He does have one thing on all the coaches above him however, as Spaz is undefeated (a 25-24 bowl win over Paul Johnson's Navy squad as BC interim coach in 2006).