5 Best FBS Coaches Hired In 2015

By Mike Gibson

5 Best FBS Coaches Hired In 2015

Willie Fritz, Tulane — One of the hardest jobs an athletic director can have is hiring a head football coach because much of the athletic budget, including salaries, is wrapped up in that sport. So hitting on a hire is a priority and a lot of research has to go into getting the right person for the job. These five guys seem to have what it takes to turn around losing situations.

5. Matt Campbell, Iowa State

Matt Campbell,

5. Matt Campbell, Iowa State

Matt Campbell, — Campbell turned 36 on Nov. 29, and his present on that day was a six-year contract as new head coach in Ames for $2 million a year. The investment will prove to be worthwhile, because Campbell crammed a lot of accomplishments into his short time as a head coach at Toledo. He went 35-15 in four years, including wins over Iowa State and Arkansas this year.

4. Jason Candle, Toledo

Jason Candle, Toledo,

4. Jason Candle, Toledo

Jason Candle, Toledo, — Candle was the offensive coordinator under Matt Campbell before being promoted to head coach. Hiring from within proved to be a wise move, because Candle led the Rockets to a 32-17 win over favored Temple in the Boca Raton Bowl. While Temple tried to balance fun and preparation, Toledo was focused on football. The businesslike approach paid off now and probably will in the future, too.

3. Dino Babers, Syracuse

Dino Babers, Syracuse,

3. Dino Babers, Syracuse

Dino Babers, Syracuse, — Some might make the comparison between Babers and former Kent State coach Darrell Hazell, who has flopped at Purdue, because Hazell went 11-1 at another MAC school, Kent State, before being hired. The comparison ends there, because Hazell was a one-year wonder while Babers has won at two places as a head coach over four years, Eastern Illinois and Bowling Green, capturing first-place finishes in all four years.

2. Bronco Mendenhall, Virginia

Bronco Mendenhall, Virginia,

2. Bronco Mendenhall, Virginia

Bronco Mendenhall, Virginia, — As the head coach at Brigham Young, Mendenhall guided the Cougars to 11-straight bowl invitations — an amazing feat considering the school has played an independent schedule for the past five seasons. He was able to recruit enough talent to win 10 or more games in five seasons despite dealing with severe admission standards. That ability should serve him well with the Cavaliers.

1. Willie Fritz, Tulane

Willie Fritz, Tulane

1. Willie Fritz, Tulane

Willie Fritz, Tulane — Until recently, Fritz was the best head coach in America virtually no one knew about because he was toiling in relative obscurity at Georgia Southern. Pretty soon everyone will know Fritz because what he did there should be able to translate into success at Tulane. In two years at Georgia Southern, Fritz ran the ball 83 percent of the time out of a triple-option and finished 9-3 and 8-4.

Share On Facebook

Share