Time may heal all wounds. Just don’t tell the college football coaches.
CBS Sports has decided to re-evaluate 16 new hires going back three years. Evaluated in 2021 recruitment cycle. There are many success stories. Texas is finally back for good under Steve Sarkisian. Josh Heupel built Tennessee into a top-10 program. Jed Fisch turned a rebuilding job in Arizona into a Big Ten job in Washington.
However, of the 16 people hired, only nine remain at the school that hired them three years ago. Five people were fired, and to this day, none of those five has returned to the head coaching position. (To be fair, Southern Miss Will Hall was fired last week and Utah State’s Blake Anderson was waived before the season.)
One (Fisch) changed head coaching jobs. Another, Alabama defensive coordinator Cain Womack, left his head coaching job at a Group of Five school to become the coordinator of a top-five program.
Seven of the 16 received their first head coaching job in 2021, three of which were in the Power Five. Two of these seven people were fired. Only three players remain at the school in 2021: Vanderbilt’s Clark Lee, Marshall’s Charles Huff, and South Carolina’s Shane Beamer.
That’s my job these days. The coaches in the 2021 class listed below have a cumulative winning percentage of .496 at the schools that hired them that year. They have won 25 bowls, two conference championships and one College Football Playoff berth.
Three years later, here’s how time has shaped and reshaped the careers of 16 coaches.
Coaches are still in place
Steve Sarkisian, Texas
In ’21, we compared Sark to Tom Herman, who was hired by Texas in 2017. Back then, that meant a championship pedigree, an offensive-minded coach and the hottest name remaining on the board. That was the 2021 Sark. The way things are going, Sark will be remembered as one of the greatest players in Texas sports history. He carefully prepared the program for the SEC, aiming for a Big 12 title and a trip to the 2023 College Football Playoff. Despite a recent loss to Georgia, Texas is looking to win the SEC in its first year of membership. Sark hires at a high level, particularly along both SEC lines. In his fourth season, he led the Horns to first place in the rankings for the first time in 14 years. Regrade: A+ | 2021 Grade: A
Josh Heupel, Tennessee
Well, I wasn’t a believer four years ago. It’s one thing to win at UCF, it’s another to jump into the SEC cauldron at Tennessee. But Heupel immediately made a splash, ending Alabama’s losing streak two years ago and recruiting elite-level talent. Under Heupel, the Vols once again became nationally important. It would be surprising if they don’t qualify for the CFP with at least a 10-2 record. Recruit Nico Iamareaba, a former five-star QB, has grown accustomed to the role in his first year as a starter. The most pleasing aspect will be the defense under coordinator Tim Banks. If that unit continues to produce, Tennessee will be pursued by the SEC every year. We caught up with Hupelier this season as he defeated his alma mater (Oklahoma State). There he won a national championship and was fired as coordinator. Regrade: A+ | 2021 Grade: C
Bret Bielema, Illinois
Bielema saved the Illini from the misery of the Lovie Smith era. It took until his fourth season, but Bielema built the Illini in his image and likeness. they are physical. Be resilient. This is the second time since 2011 that they have been ranked within a season. Under Bielema, Chase Brown became the third Illini player to reach 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons. Ole Miss transfer quarterback Luke Altmayer has blossomed over the past two seasons. Since the beginning of 2022, the defense has created 60 turnovers. Bielema underperformed at Arkansas, but appears to be a perennial favorite in a conference he knows well at Illinois. Regrade: A | 2021 Grade: A-
Lance Leipold, Kansas
After three seasons, Coach Leipold’s Kansas State has staged one of the most impressive comebacks in the country. However, this season had disappointing results. The Jayhawks have a habit of losing late games. This was a program that wanted to compete for a Big 12 title, but quarterback Jalen Daniels turned the ball over too much in a 2-6 start. As the calendar quickly turns to November, Kansas has defeated just one FBS opponent. This is due to the loss of offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki to Penn State. With a nine-figure stadium renovation on the horizon, let’s hope this season is just a hiccup. Leipold remains one of the most respected managers in the game. Regrade: A | 2021 Grade: A-
Clark Lee, Vanderbilt
Until this season, Lee was best known for his 2022 Media Day proclamation, “We know that in time Vanderbilt football will be the best program in the country.” No one is laughing anymore. After a monster upset against Alabama this season, Lee hinted that the Commodores could at least be competitive in the SEC. After successfully activating the transfer portal, including the acquisition of quarterback Diego Pavia, Lee has a chance to win nine games for the fifth time in program history. This season, Lee proved he can recruit, develop and coach. The 42-year-old former Vanderbilt running back looks like he could be around for a long time. It is not impossible for them to advance to the playoffs in the near future. Regrade: A | 2021: B
Charles Huff, Marshall
When Huff arrived in Huntington, West Virginia, as Alabama’s running backs coach, there were questions about the fact that he had never been a coordinator before. After three and a half seasons, Marshall football is on solid footing. Huff could be drafted long-term after a 2022 win at Notre Dame. A fourth straight bowl is possible under Huff. Considering Marshall’s investment in football, you can imagine the Thundering Herd getting hot in the Sun Belt and earning a playoff berth someday. Regrade: A- | 2021 Grade: B-
Shane Beamer, South Carolina
I wasn’t optimistic about 2021. Beamer had never been a coordinator. There was a mass defection upon his recruitment. The Shamcocks went 6-16 over the past two seasons. Under Beamer, South Carolina became a program that was at times too dangerous to play. Beamer’s 24-21 record is the highest winning percentage in four seasons at South Carolina since Steve Spurrier. Beamer’s best win remains a 31-30 upset over top-10 Clemson a few years ago. After starting 3-5 against ranked teams, the Beamers have lost their last nine against teams ranked in the top 25. Beamer has built a strong foundation, but now it’s time to take the next step. That could be Saturday against Texas A&M. Regrade: C+ | 2021 Grade: C
Gus Malzahn, UCF
At the time, we said the lifestyle change was a good fit for Malzahn. You no longer have to live in the shadow of Alabama. No more aggravation from Auburn Booster. UCF welcomed him with open arms. This was a comeback for a program that would eventually move to the Big 12’s Power 4. After early promise at UCF, the program leveled off in its fourth year. Auburn’s highly dynamic offense led the Knights to a league championship. The 2022 AAC Championship Game is in the doldrums. Malzahn is 9-14 in 23 games, but has yet to make a mark in the Big 12. He has friends. That matches Auburn’s Hugh Freeze’s record during that period. Auburn must have something. Malzahn’s quarterbacks include Dillon Gabriel, John Reese Plumlee and KJ Jefferson. It’s not a bad group. Still, the Knights are just 27-21 in his four seasons. Regrade: C | 2021 Grade: A+
Butch Jones, Arkansas
After a shaky stay in Tennessee, Jones’ upward arc began to flatten. Jones, who soared up the charts at Central Michigan and Cincinnati, is batting below .500 in six games. After rehabbing under Nick Saban as an analyst and assistant, he returned to the game. But Arkansas State’s turnaround took longer than expected. The fourth-year Red Wolves are looking for their first winning season since 2019. Jones has a month left to move Arkansas State into a tie for second place in the Sun Belt West. District rivals Louisiana and ULM stand in the way of winning the district title. “The way I see it, we’re just getting started,” Jones said. Regrade: C | 2021: B
Coaches fired or resigned
Andy Avalos, Boise State
The former Broncos linebacker followed a familiar trend. Since 1998, the school has hired former Boise State players or assistant coaches for principal positions. The former Boise assistant completed a bizarre three-and-out at his alma mater. Avalos won 10 games in his second season and was named Mountain West Coach of the Year, and went 5-5 in his third season before being fired. In 1997, the same year the Broncos threatened to finish their first losing season, they also won the Mountain West. Avalos is currently the TCU defensive coordinator. Regrade: C- | 2021: B
Blake Anderson, Utah
It’s important to strike the right tone with Anderson. This man deserves all the sympathy in the world after losing his wife to cancer and his son to suicide. After winning the Mountain West in his first season, Anderson never advanced to a fourth season. An internal investigation found that Anderson violated school policy requiring the reporting of allegations of sexual misconduct. In August, Anderson said he intended to sue Utah for wrongful termination. Regrade: C- | 2021 Grade: B+
Terry Bowden, ULM
At 66 years old, Bobby Bowden’s son wanted a second chance. He earned this status at ULM three years ago, but went 10-26 and didn’t last until 2024. But the Warhawks are in the midst of a dramatic turnaround under first-year coach Bryant Vincent. They won five games and are a half-game back of first place in the division. Two more wins would give the Warhawks their most wins since 2012. 2021: B
Will Hall, Miss Southern
Hall made perfect sense for the Eagles in 2021. Hall, a Mississippi State native, was a two-time JUCO All-American quarterback. As Tulane’s offensive coordinator under coach Willie Fritz in 2020, the Green Wave averaged 34 points, the highest average in a decade. However, he failed from there, losing 18 of his last 24 games at Southern Ms. Hall and was fired on October 20 after a 1-6 start. Regrade: D- | 2021: B
Brian Harsin, Auburn
Harsin never seemed to be the right fit. That’s an understatement. The Boise man from the Mountain West was never comfortable in the SEC climate. Harsin turned out to be one of the biggest failures in recruiting evaluation of our time. He lasted 21 games, but ultimately couldn’t pull away from either of them fast enough. Tragically, a major acquisition will cushion the decline. Harsin will be back somewhere in the game. He’s too aggressive and smart. But judging by this recent interview, he’s not doing anything so far. Regrade: F | 2021 Grade: A-
Coaches who have been hired
Jed Fisch, Arizona
The Fish’s turnaround in Arizona remains one of the best of the decade. Fisch led the Wildcats from 1-11 to 10-3 in two seasons at a time when the athletic department and school were losing a lot of money. You can’t blame him for moving to Washington after last season. The Huskies are off to a 4-4 start after a season of playing for a national championship. Similar to what happened in Arizona, think of this as a starting point for Fish. Regrade: A | 2021 Grade: C
Kane Womack, South Alabama
Womack is still one of the up-and-coming young players, not just a head coach. He was one of a group of head coaches (Chip Kelly, Jeff Hafley) who quit as head coach and became an assistant. You can’t blame Womack for leaving South Alabama to become Alabama’s defensive coordinator. His resume as a ‘Bama’s assistant would probably look better than staying with the Jags. Womack, 37, has already served as defensive coordinator at two Power Four programs, Indiana and Alabama. In three seasons with the Jags, Womack led South Alabama to the 2022 Sun Belt Championship Game. The rest were 12-13 years old. Womack left the program pretty much on his own terms, and that’s not a bad thing. Regrade: B | 2021: B
