With the Inauguration of President Obama and the instant fix to the economy, unemployment, Middle East conflict, and War on Terror that comes with his presidency, we have decided to take a look at college coaches at major programs and the instant results that were supposed to come with their hirings.
Notre Dame Football- Charlie Weis
Charlie Weis’ hiring was supposed to bring forth national championships, Heisman Trophy winners, big time recruits and major bowl wins. Four season in and there has been no national titles, one top 5 finish in Heisman voting (Brady Quinn), two blowout BCS bowl losses, and one Hawaii Bowl victory. The recruiting has been a different story, as loads of 5 Stars have flocked to South Bend. Turning them into winners is the name of the game though, and 10 wins in the last two seasons is just not cutting it.
The Verdict: Change we can not yet believe in
I said biggie size dammit!
Kentucky Basketball- Billy Gillipsie
Billy Gillipsie, the guy responsible for turning two programs a year removed from dreadfulness into postseason participants (UTEP and Texas A&M), was brought to Kentucky to replace a National Champion winning coach (Tubby Smith). His tilt at UK got off to a rocky start, getting blown out at home to Gardner-Webb in the team’s second game of the season. His team rebounded though and finished his first season 18-13, including 12-4 in the SEC and a co-SEC Coach of the Year Award, as well as a trip to the tournament to top it off. His sophomore season has been more successful, with the Wildcats currently 14-4, and his recruiting has made waves, even signing an 8th grader.
The Verdict: Yes, he possibly can
Michigan Football- Rich Rodriguez
Rich Rodriguez left the comfort of his native West Virginia to take over a program that was in need of fine tuning after Lloyd Carr retired. His spread option attack, which fueled WVU to within one game of a national title game birth, proved highly unsuccessful in his first year at the helm in Ann Arbor. Michigan went 3-9, the worst record in school history, the first losing record in 41 years, and scores of players left the program, including Sam McGuffie, one of the few bright spots on the team. Rich Rod even went as far as criticizing the Maize and Blue fans after losing to Ohio State, saying that the fans needed to get a life.
The Verdict: The Audacity of Nope
Not quite what I would call a thumbs up season RichRod...
Alabama Football- Nick Saban
Nick Saban took over after Mike Shula and did not see immediate success, even going so far as losing to Louisiana-Monroe in his first year. His second season saw the Tide go 12-0 and rise to #1, only to lose to eventual national champs Florida in the SEC Championship game and undefeated Utah in the Sugar Bowl. Seeing how the team was supposed to be a year away this season, the future looks bright in Tuscaloosa.
The Verdict: Change Has Come to Alabama
UCLA Basketball- Ben Howland
Three Final Fours in five seasons, which saw his teams win at least 30 games in each of those three seasons. His teams play defense better than just about every team in the country. And his recruiting is pretty darn good too. Yeah, Ben Howland has done alright out there in LA.
The Verdict: A More Perfect UCLA
I sure am goofy looking, but I could coach blind kids to the Final Four
North Carolina Basketball- Roy Williams
At the beginning of this season, there was talk about UNC going undefeated. Of course that will not happen since the Heels have dropped two games, but if you think this team loses more than 5 games all year you must be crazy. Roy Williams has turned around a program that was struggling, winning a national title and taking last year’s team to the Final Four only to lose to his former school (Kansas) in the semis. Don’t be surprised if this team makes it back to the Final Four….and looking at next year’s recruiting class, UNC may make the Final Four an annual ritual.
The Verdict: Change UNC can believe in
Florida Football- Urban Meyer
When the Gators gave the Zooker the boot, they turned to a young guy who had just lead Utah to an undefeated season. Good choice. In 4 seasons the results are uncanny. A record of 45-9, including 26-8 in the SEC. Two national championships. Tebow won a Heisman and saved poor kids (and saved the souls of prisoners and cured cancer and taught the Dali Lama peace). And the team will be just as good next year. And probably the year after that. Yeah, it’s good to be a Gator.
The Verdict: Yes He Did!
Clearly a Floridian mating call to attract Erin Andrews
