The 2019-20 college football recruiting cycle featured 24 coaching changes, but circumstances both on and off the field have trimmed the group especially as some of them prepare for Year 4 in 2023.
As we gather to grade the coaches’ three-year tenure from this cycle, we must first focus on those who will not be included in the process. Four coaches were fired before Year 3 (2022), thus receiving an incomplete grade. Kalen DeBoer did not make it through his third year at Fresno State as he was hired by Washington to replace Jimmy Lake, who was among the coaches fired prior to Year 3. The tragic death of Mike Leach removes one more coach from the list in this 2019-20 cycle, and four more coaches who started the 2022 season have been fired and will not lead their programs for 2023.
So, overall, only 14 of the 24 coaches in this hiring cycle have made it to the fourth year of preparation.
While the clock has sped up for coaches to deliver quick results in recent years, it’s worth noting that no one in this cycle was given a typical off-season in the first months after being hired. The COVID-19 pandemic left this cycle’s coaching hires behind a webcam trying to make connections virtually. Pre-season camps were rushed and significantly affected by social distancing efforts, while the season itself was isolated and limited in scope.
Still, once a coach is a few years into his tenure, programs demand results, and there are examples from this class that have been able to meet and even exceed expectations. Conference championships, New Year’s Six bids and double-digit win seasons have all been accomplished by this group, so let’s get into the details with some grades.
