5 Coaches Who Need a Big 2015 Recruiting Class

The quickest way for a program to turn the corner and become a consistent winner is to win the battles on the recruiting trail. 

It’s fitting that the period from now until national signing day also merges with the beginning and the ending of the coaching carousel.

There are a few coaches who are either beginning to feel some heat or are in the rebuilding stages of their programs—each of whom could use a big close to the 2015 cycle.

Which coaches are most in need of a strong 2015 recruiting class?

All coaches listed in alphabetical order.

Frank Beamer: Virginia Tech

USA TODAY Sports

Lost in the rise of Florida State’s return to dominance in the ACC is the fate of the team it replaced as the league’s most consistent power: Virginia Tech.

Frank Beamer’s program has gone 21-17 over the last three seasons, and speculation has grown about how long Beamer will remain in his post in Blacksburg. 

The Hokies currently have the nation’s No. 27 class.

However, given the cloudy picture currently associated with the Hokies program, Beamer and his staff could use a strong close to the 2015 cycle.

James Franklin: Penn State

USA TODAY Sports

Any time a new coach is hired, especially when it's in December or January, his first job is to salvage the current recruiting class with an eye on making a splash the following year in his first full cycle.

That’s the task in front of James Franklin at Penn State.

Franklin has more than lived up to his billing as one of the nation’s best recruiters. 

With less than two months remaining until signing day, the Nittany Lions have the nation’s No. 9 class. 

That’s exactly the type of group that can help Penn State improve upon its 6-6 record this season.

Brian Kelly: Notre Dame

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Not much went right for Notre Dame after its 6-0 start to the 2014 season. 

The Irish were a controversial penalty flag away from defeating Florida State and entering the national title picture in late October. Instead, Brian Kelly’s squad limped to a 7-5 finish.

Given their skid to end the season, the Irish could use some momentum from their 2015 recruiting class. 

Notre Dame’s current 22-man class ranks as the nation’s 11th-best class.

With a headliner in 4-star quarterback Brandon Wimbush, this class shines a light on a future that remains bright under Kelly for the Irish program.

Steve Spurrier: South Carolina

One program that fell below expectations this season was South Carolina.

Steve Spurrier’s club began the season ranked in the Top 10 but finished with a disappointing 6-6 record.

The hits kept coming on the recruiting trail as the Gamecocks suffered a string of decommitments after Spurrier said he planned to coach in Columbia for “two or three” more seasons, as noted by John Whittle of The Big Spur (subscription required). 

Spurrier has since backtracked from his coaching time frame, but the Gamecocks are a program that is in desperate need of some momentum—on and off the field.

Charlie Strong: Texas

Similar to Franklin, Charlie Strong is facing an important stretch in his first offseason as the leader of the Texas program.

With rival Texas A&M surging in recent years, Strong and his staff faced a seemingly uphill battle in reclaiming control of their home state.

However, with pledges last week from prep teammates and in-state standouts in 5-star linebacker Malik Jefferson and 4-star athlete DeAndre McNeal, the Longhorns made a statement, as noted by Kevin Flaherty of 247Sports.

The Longhorns still have plenty of work left to do to get back to competing on a national level, but the ‘Horns' 2015 class is a step in the right direction for Strong and his staff.

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow @SanjayKirpalani