To the glee of tailgaters and TV executives everywhere, another college football season has commenced. Week 1 looms, and all the sport’s normal accoutrement are in place.
Humidity, hype, handicapping, Herbstreit, and of course, hot seat story lines.
A formal kickoff to any season wouldn’t be complete without a detailed assessment of coaches’ job security. It has become embedded in the college football fabric, a pastime as revered and refined as hand signals and halftime choreography.
While the size and scope of hot seat analyses vary throughout cyberspace, we’re limiting ours to the Sunshine State. Here, in ascending order, is our job security ranking of Florida’s seven Football Bowl Subdivision coaches. The No. 7 coach is the safest, in terms of job stability, with the heat rising as we reach No. 1.
7. Alex Golesh, USF
USF went 7-6 last season under first-year coach Alex Golesh after totaling only four victories the previous three seasons. [ JEFFEREE WOO | Times ]
The way things have trended at USF the last 20 months, we wouldn’t be shocked if the Bulls’ future on-campus stadium (set to open in 2027) came with a Golesh statue erected out front. A classic micro-manager whose “process” for his team spans everything from practice effort to study habits to nutrition to toenail length, Golesh has briskly transformed the Bulls from laughingstock to league title contender.
The 7-6 record in his inaugural season — after the program totaled four wins from 2020-22 — was no fluke. An indefatigable recruiter, Golesh has effectively replenished the roster and fostered confidence in a once-languishing locker room. If the Bulls get to eight or nine wins in 2024, they’d be poised for a promotion to a power league when the next wave of realignment commences.
6. Mike Norvell, FSUFSU coach Mike Norvell has led the Seminoles to 23 total victories over the last two seasons. [ REBECCA BLACKWELL | AP ]
After a wretched start in Tallahassee, Norvell has re-established the Seminoles as a national force. Prior to Saturday’s 24-21 loss to Georgia Tech in Ireland, FSU was widely favored to repeat as ACC champion. A dogged recruiter and astute offensive strategist, he received a contract extension and massive pay raise after the ‘Noles’ undefeated regular season and AAC title game triumph last year.
We rank him one notch below Golesh simply because the stakes and expectations are higher at FSU, and one dropoff year could dramatically alter the narrative (consider all the grumbling after one defeat in Dublin). We don’t see such a swoon occurring; FSU, winner of 23 games the past two seasons, was No. 10 in the Associated Press preseason poll.
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Explore all your options5. Tom Herman, Florida AtlanticFlorida Atlantic coach Tom Herman gives players high-fives after an Owls third-quarter touchdown during last season’s 56-14 rout of the Bulls at Raymond James Stadium. [ JEFFEREE WOO | Times ]
While the injury-besieged Owls stumbled (4-8) in Herman’s inaugural season, we see a significant turnaround transpiring. Herman’s simply too bright (he’s a member of Mensa International, the world’s oldest high-IQ society) and too seasoned to expect an extended swoon. A meticulous overseer in the mold of Golesh, Herman has won at each of his stops. Even his beleaguered tenure at Texas featured four bowl wins (in four seasons) and a 10-win campaign in 2018.
Herman seems to be focused on recruiting heavily in his back yard (a solid recipe for any south Florida coach) and has found key components in the portal (such as Marshall transfer quarterback Cam Fancher). The 2024 schedule screams eight or nine wins. Bet here is, Herman ultimately flourishes with the Owls before landing another Power Four gig.
4. Mike MacIntyre, Florida InternationalFlorida International coach Mike MacIntyre, center, poses with president Mark Rosenberg, left, and athletic director Scott Carr, right, during his introductory news conference on Dec. 9, 2021. MacIntyre has posted consecutive 4-8 seasons with the Panthers. [ LYNNE SLADKY
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Publish date : 2024-08-26 02:35:00
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