Ranking All 133 College Football Head Coaches for 2023

133. Kenni Burns, Kent State
Burns has a tough task ahead as a first-time coach at Kent State with the roster going through a massive transition entering '23. The former Indiana running back has garnered a wealth of experience thanks to stints at North Dakota State, Wyoming, Western Michigan, and Minnesota as an assistant. As a first-time head coach at a tough job, Burns' progress in '23 and beyond is worth watching.

Related: Ranking All 133 Starting Quarterbacks for 2023

132. Trent Dilfer, UAB
Dilfer is one of the more intriguing new coach hires for the 2023 season. After a 14-year playing career in the NFL ended, Dilfer worked at ESPN from '08 until his departure in '17. The Super Bowl winning QB later became the head coach at Lipscomb Academy in Nashville in '19 and went 44-10 over four seasons. Dilfer has never coached in college at any level.

131. Lance Taylor, Western Michigan
With stops as an assistant in the NFL and in college at Stanford, Notre Dame, and Louisville, Taylor has assembled an impressive resume in a short period of time. He's a first-time head coach but also has solid resources to lean on at one of the MAC's better jobs in Western Michigan.

Related: Grading College Football's Head Coach Hires for 2023

130. David Braun, Northwestern
Braun will serve as Northwestern's interim coach for '23 after Pat Fitzgerald was fired following a hazing investigation into the program. He coordinated the defense at North Dakota State from 2019-22, guiding a unit that allowed only 20.2 points a game last season. Prior to his tenure with the Bison, Braun was an assistant at Winona State, UC Davis, and Northern Iowa, so Northwestern marks the first time he's worked at the FBS level. Taking over a college football team in mid-July is an impossible assignment for Braun. However, this stint as an interim coach will give Braun a chance to impress for openings or state his case to be retained at Northwestern for '24 and beyond.

129. Ken Wilson, Nevada
Wilson was a veteran assistant with stops at Oregon, Washington State and an extended run at Nevada (1989-98 and 2004-12) before landing his first head-coaching gig with the Wolf Pack in '22. After a 2-0 start, Nevada proceeded to lose its next 10 games to finish 2-10 in Wilson's debut. A handful of additions through the portal should help Nevada take a step forward in his second year.

128. Tim Beck, Coastal Carolina
Beck has big shoes to fill after Coastal Carolina went 31-6 from 2020-22 under previous coach Jamey Chadwell. Although Beck has never been a collegiate head coach, he's gained valuable experience as an assistant from stops as a coordinator at Nebraska, Ohio State, Texas, and NC State. Beck's offenses in Raleigh never ranked higher than seventh in the ACC (conference-only games) in yards per play.

127. Biff Poggi, Charlotte
Poggi is a fascinating hire for Charlotte as it transitions to the American Athletic Conference. The Maryland native drew praise for his work in an off-field role at Michigan the last two years and had successful stints as a high school head coach at the Gilman School and Saint Frances Academy. He's also a former hedge fund manager. Transitioning from those roles to a head-coaching gig in college is a big step up. But Poggi's background and success in the '23 transfer cycle suggests this unconventional hire could work out well for the 49ers.

Related: Grading College Football's New Coach Hires for 2023

126. Danny Gonzales, New Mexico
Gonzales is a New Mexico native and a former Lobo, but patience is likely wearing thin in Albuquerque with a 7-24 start to his tenure. Although Gonzales' speciality (defense) has made strides over the last three seasons, the offense averaged just 12.2 points a game in '21 and 13.1 a contest in '22. With three wins in Mountain West play since '20, this fall is a make-or-break campaign for Gonzales.

125. Alex Golesh, USF
Golesh is a rising star in the coaching ranks after helping Josh Heupel develop Tennessee's offense into one of the best in college football over the last two seasons. Although this is Golesh's first stint as a head coach, the 39-year-old has also garnered valuable experience during stops at UCF, Iowa State, Illinois, and Toledo as an on-field assistant. Also, Golesh's back story is interesting. He was born in Russia and did not play college ball.

Related: Back to the Future for Alex Golseh, USF: The Standard

124. Stan Drayton, Temple
Drayton was a long-time assistant with stops at Texas, Mississippi State, Florida, Tennessee, Syracuse, Ohio State and in the NFL with the Bears and Packers before landing the Temple head-coaching gig prior to '22. The Owls finished 3-9 in his debut but showed considerable progress in the second half of last year. If the program continues to develop, Drayton could guide Temple to a bowl in '23.

123. Brian Newberry, Navy
Newberry has big shoes to fill in replacing long-time coach Ken Niumatalolo. The former Baylor defensive back has never been a head coach at the collegiate level but has established an impressive resume as a defensive coordinator from recent stops at Kennesaw State (2013-18) and with the Midshipmen from 2019-22. Navy's defense finished fourth in the AAC in scoring defense last year by limiting teams to 24.3 points a contest.

122. Timmy Chang, Hawaii
With Chang's ties to the state of Hawaii and a record-setting career with the Rainbow Warriors, plenty of patience will be displayed as he looks to turn things around in Honolulu. In his first year at the helm, Hawaii went 3-10 but showed improvement as the season progressed.

121. Sonny Cumbie, Louisiana Tech
Cumbie had a solid stint as Texas Tech's interim coach (2-3 record including a win in the Liberty Bowl over Mississippi State) in '21, but his first season in charge in Ruston resulted in just a 3-9 mark. However, the Bulldogs were active in the portal, and Cumbie's second squad should arguably be among the most improved Group of 5 teams in the nation. This is Cumbie's first full-time head-coaching gig, as he spent time at TCU and Texas Tech as an assistant prior to this stop. Look for the former Texas Tech quarterback to move up this list next year.

120. G.J. Kinne, Texas State
Kinne is one of the youngest head coaches (34) at the FBS level and is a rising star after guiding Incarnate Word to a 12-2 mark and a trip to the FCS Semifinals in his only year in charge. As a Texas native and a coach with a background in producing and developing high-powered offenses, Kinne looks like the right fit to help Texas State get on track in the Sun Belt. However, with a revamped roster entering his debut in San Marcos, it may take the former Tulsa quarterback a year or two to get this program in the mix for a bowl spot.

119. Michael Desormeaux, Louisiana
As a Louisiana native and former Ragin' Cajun quarterback, Desormeaux is the perfect fit to lead the way in Lafayette. However, it's tough to gauge where Louisiana is going into his second season. Desormeaux had big shoes to fill in replacing Billy Napier, and the program slipped from Sun Belt champion in '21 to 6-7 last fall. Considering the personnel turnover from '21 to '22 and even going into '23, Desormeaux needs a little time to build this program in his vision.

118. Tony Elliott, Virginia
Elliott was a key cog in Clemson's success in recent years and was considered a rising star for helping the offense consistently rank among the best in the ACC as co-offensive coordinator or the main play-caller from 2015-21. However, Elliott's debut in Charlottesville last season resulted in a 3-7 mark and just a 1-6 record in ACC play. The Cavaliers showed marked improvement on defense, but the offense (Elliott's speciality) averaged only 16.7 points in conference play.

117. Scot Loeffler, Bowling Green
After a 7-22 start to his tenure (2019-21), progress was noticeable for Loeffler last fall. The Falcons went 6-7 and returned to a bowl for the first time since '15. However, Bowling Green had some good fortune on its side with five wins by one score. Although Loeffler's background is on offense, the Falcons have not ranked higher than eighth in the MAC in scoring since his arrival ('19).

116. Mike Bloomgren, Rice
Rice is a challenging job, but Bloomgren's seat is warming with a 16-39 mark since taking over in '18. The Owls went 12-25 in Conference USA play in that stretch, while the program's best overall mark came last year with a 5-8 record. Rice made a bowl due to APR last season and fell 38-24 to Southern Miss. The path to a winning mark in '23 will only get tougher with Rice moving to the AAC.

Related: College Football's Dark Horse Conference Title Contenders for 2023

115. Ricky Rahne, Old Dominion
Rahne was one of the nation's rising stars at offensive coordinator during a two-year stint at Penn State. The Nittany Lions averaged over 33 points a game in both of his seasons calling plays in Happy Valley, which led the Colorado native to the top spot in Norfolk. The Monarchs did not field a team in 2020 due to the pandemic but finished 6-7 in Rahne's on-field debut with the program the following year. However, Old Dominion regressed to 3-9 last season, dropping his overall record to 9-16.

Sun Belt '23 Preview: Predictions | All-Conference | Bowl Projections | 133 Rankings

114. Dana Dimel, UTEP
After going 5-27 in Dimel's first three years (2018-20), the Miners won seven games in '21 to earn just their second winning season since '06. However, the program regressed to 5-7 last fall, which dropped Dimel's overall record in El Paso to 17-40. This isn't an easy job, but Dimel needs to get back to a bowl to avoid the hot seat in '23. His coaching tenure includes a 22-13 stint at Wyoming (1997-99) and an 8-26 stretch at Houston (2000-02).

113. Thomas Hammock, Northern Illinois
Hammock is a tough coach to evaluate entering the '23 season. The Huskies stunned the MAC by winning the conference title with an 9-5 mark in '21, which came after the program went 5-11 from 2019-20. However, a year after winning the MAC Championship, NIU regressed (with some significant injuries taking place) to a 3-9 mark. Hammock is 17-27 going into the '23 campaign.

112. Don Brown, UMass
Brown inherited a major rebuilding project at UMass, so it's tough to read too much into last year's 1-11 mark. However, the veteran defensive coordinator previously went 43-19 with the Minutemen from 2004-07, which included a trip to the '06 FCS National Championship. The shift to the FBS represents a different challenge for Brown, however. Prior to returning to UMass, Brown worked as a successful defensive signal-caller at Maryland, UConn, Boston College, Michigan, and Arizona. 

Related: Ranking All 133 Starting Quarterbacks for 2023

111. Butch Jones, Arkansas State
Entering Year 3 at the helm in Jonesboro has produced a mixed bag of results for Jones. The on-field product has struggled (5-19), but the program has inked two of the Sun Belt's top recruiting classes in back-to-back years. Will that translate into a jump in wins for '23 or '24? Jones' tenure at Tennessee (34-27) ended with his dismissal, but he has successful previous stints on his resume from stops at Cincinnati (23-14 from 2010-12) and Central Michigan (27-13 from 2007-09).

110. Maurice Linguist, Buffalo
Linguist faced a tough assignment in his debut season (2021) after taking over the program after spring practice. With a limited offseason to implement his schemes and develop the team, it was no surprise the Bulls went 4-8 last fall. But Linguist's second trip through the MAC went significantly better. Buffalo went 7-6 (5-3 in MAC play) and defeated the eventual conference champ Toledo (34-27) in mid-October.

MAC '23 Preview: Predictions | All-Conference | Bowl Projections | 133 Rankings

109. Mike Neu, Ball State
It took a few years for Neu to get his alma mater on the right track, but the Cardinals have been a consistent contender for bowl trips over the last three seasons and won the MAC in '20. Ball State went 10-26 in Neu's first three years but are 23-22 since '19. Can the Cardinals get back into contention for the MAC title game this fall? Or was the '20 season a one-year wonder while Neu's teams hover closer to bowl eligibility every season?

108. Brent Key, Georgia Tech
Key provided a much-needed spark for the Yellow Jackets last fall as the program's interim coach, with the team's success helping him to take over the full-time role in '23. After a 1-3 start and three disastrous losses, Key rallied the team to back-to-back victories against Pitt and Duke to start his tenure and later upset North Carolina 21-17 in late November. Key has no previous head-coaching experience but worked under Nick Saban at Alabama (2016-18) and has already proven himself in a limited role in '22. Also, Key certainly knows what it takes to win at his alma mater (Georgia Tech). Can the former Yellow Jacket pick up the team where it left off at the end of the '22 campaign?

107. Brent Pry, Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech's program was trending in the wrong direction at the end of the Justin Fuente era, so it's no surprise Pry's debut was a struggle. The Hokies lost a road opener to Old Dominion but rebounded to win their next two contests (Boston College and Wofford). However, the program proceeded to lose its next seven games, before finishing '22 with an upset over Liberty (23-22). Pry ranked as one of the top defensive signal-callers in college football after a standout tenure at Penn State, but this is his first FBS head-coaching gig. With a program in rebuild, along with a first-time head coach, Pry will need a season or two to reset the foundation in Blacksburg.

Related: Grading First-Year Hires from 2022

106. Eric Morris, North Texas
Morris is a perfect fit in Denton after a playing career at Texas Tech and eventually a stop as an assistant in Lubbock (2013-17) and a stint at Incarnate Word as head coach. From 2018-21, the Cardinals went 24-18 and made two appearances in the FCS Playoffs. Morris called the plays at Washington State last season, directing a group that averaged 26.1 points a game.

105. Tim Albin, Ohio
Albin had big shoes to fill in replacing Frank Solich prior to the '21 season. Albin's first team finished 3-9, but the program rebounded in a big way last year. Despite losing starting quarterback Kurtis Rourke due to a torn ACL late in the season, the Bobcats finished 10-4 with a MAC East title. Also, they later defeated Wyoming to earn the program's third straight bowl victory. Prior to taking over the top spot in Athens, Albin worked as the program's offensive coordinator (2005-18) and also spent time as the head coach at Northwestern Oklahoma State (25-8 from 1997-99).

104. Ryan Silverfield, Memphis
The 2023 season is a crucial one for Silverfield. After working from 2016-19 as an assistant with the Tigers, Silverfield was promoted to head coach after Mike Norvell departed to Florida State prior to the Cotton Bowl against Penn State. After going 8-3 in his debut, Memphis is 13-12 over the last two years and is just 6-10 in league play.

Related: American Athletic Conference Predictions for 2023

103. Mike MacIntyre, FIU
MacIntyre has engineered impressive turnarounds at two previous stops (San Jose State and Colorado), and it's only a matter of time before FIU is competing for bowl games in the revamped Conference USA. The Panthers went 4-8 in MacIntyre's debut but as the seven losses by double digits indicate, this program has a tough climb ahead in '23. MacIntyre went 1-12 (2010) in his first year at San Jose State but finished 10-2 in his final year ('12). At Colorado, MacIntyre went 4-8 in '13 but won the Pac-12 South Division and finished 10-4 in '16. His overall record as a head coach sits at 50-73.

Related: College Football Bowl Projections for 2023-24

102. Barry Odom, UNLV
Most of Odom's coaching career has been spent in the South or Midwest, so it was a mild surprise to see him hired at UNLV. However, this program has plenty of upside, and Odom's demeanor and approach might be the right fit to help the Rebels take a step forward. Prior to this spot in the Sin City, Odom worked as a defensive assistant and coordinator at Missouri, Memphis, and Arkansas. He also had a 25-25 stint as Missouri's head coach from 2016-19.

Related: Grading College Football's New Coach Hires for 2023

101. Terry Bowden, ULM
ULM is one of the toughest jobs in the Sun Belt, but Bowden has managed to lead this program to small signs of progress despite the 8-16 record over the last two years. He previously went 35-52 at Akron (2012-18), 29-9 at North Alabama (2009-11) and 47-17-1 at Auburn (1993-98) and 45-23-1 at Samford (1989-92). Bowden has managed to win at hard jobs before and needs to maximize every resource to move up the Sun Belt standings in '23 and beyond.

100. Will Hall, Southern Miss
Despite a revolving door at quarterback due to injuries in his first two years at the helm, it's clear Hall has Southern Miss on the right track going into '23. After a 3-9 debut in '21, the Golden Eagles jumped to 7-6 overall and 4-4 in Sun Belt play last season to earn the team's first bowl trip since '19. Prior to this stop, Hall had successful stints as an assistant at Tulane (2019-20), Memphis ('18) and Louisiana ('17) to go with head-coaching opportunities at West Alabama (25-11) and West Georgia (31-9). He's a rising star to watch entering the '23 season.

Related: Ranking All 133 College Football Teams for 2023

99. Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State
As a native of Arizona and an Arizona State graduate, it doesn't get much better in terms of fit for Dillingham in Tempe. The 33-year-old coach has seen his stock rise in a big way over the last couple of years. After working on Memphis' staff from 2017-18, he was named the offensive coordinator at Auburn ('19), Florida State (2020-21), and Oregon ('22). The Ducks ranked fourth in the Pac-12 in scoring (38.8 points a game) and third in yards per play (6.92) in Dillingham's only season in Eugene. Dillingham has no previous head-coaching experience, but it's clear he's a rising star to watch in '23 and beyond as he begins his tenure at Arizona State.

98. Kevin Wilson, Tulsa
Tulsa is a difficult job, but Wilson has experience in this type of setting after a six-year run at Indiana. Although the final record in Bloomington (26-47) wasn't great, Wilson improved the program significantly from a 1-11 debut to back-to-back bowl games (2015-16). Wilson resigned prior to the '16 bowl game amidst investigations into player mistreatment and "philosophical differences" with athletic director Fred Glass. The North Carolina native spent the next years as an assistant at Ohio State (2017-22) and has previous experience in the state of Oklahoma from a stint with the Sooners (2002-10).

Related: Ranking All 133 Starting Quarterbacks for 2023

97. Joe Moorhead, Akron
Moorhead inherited a major rebuilding project at Akron, so it's no surprise his first season with the Zips was a struggle (2-10). However, Moorhead's squad played a lot better down the stretch. Five of the team's final eight losses came by one score. In addition to successful stints as an offensive coordinator at Penn State (2016-17) and Oregon (2020-21) in recent years, Moorhead went 38-13 as the head coach at Fordham (2012-15) and 14-12 at Mississippi State (2018-19). He also has a previous stint as an assistant at Akron (2004-08).

96. Chuck Martin, Miami (Ohio)
Martin's overall record at Miami is only 45-59, but that mark is a little deceiving. The RedHawks started 5-19 under his watch but are 40-40 with four bowl trips and a MAC title ('19) since '16. Also, the program is 33-18 in MAC play in that span ('16-22). Finding a way to win more of the one-score contests is a priority for Martin's teams going forward. Prior to Miami, Martin went 74-7 as the head coach at Grand Valley State (2004-09).

Related: College Football's Dark Horse Conference Title Contenders for 2023

95. Troy Taylor, Stanford
Taylor has one of the toughest situations for any first-year coach in '23. Stanford clearly regressed at the end of the David Shaw era and returns only five starters off a team that went 6-18 over the last two seasons. Taylor - a former California quarterback and assistant in Berkeley from 1996-00 - arrives on the Farm after going 30-8 over the last three years at Sacramento State. The Hornets also had one of the top offenses at the FCS level, averaging 42.9 points a contest in '22. In addition to his previous experience at California, Taylor called the plays at Utah from 2017-18. In the NIL and transfer portal era, the task of winning consistently at Stanford will only get tougher. But Taylor's background at winning at lower levels and developing high-powered offenses should help Stanford take a step forward in the coming seasons.

Related: Grading College Football's New Coach Hires for 2023

94. Ryan Walters, Purdue
Walters' stock climbed in the '22 season after guiding the Illinois' defense to No. 1 nationally in fewest points allowed (12.8) a game last season. And in addition to his last two years with the Fighting Illini, the former Colorado safety has spent time as an assistant at North Texas, Memphis, and Missouri. The resume as an assistant is solid, and Walters ranks as one of the top head-coaching hires for '23. But how will he transition into this role as a first-time head coach for a team that returns only nine starters?

Related: Grading College Football's Head Coach Hires for 2023

93. Tom Allen, Indiana
Indiana is a tough job, but Allen's seat will start to warm if the program fails to take a step forward in '23. The Hoosiers went 14-7 with two bowl trips from 2019-20 but have regressed to a 6-18 mark over the last two years. Allen is 30-40 overall in Bloomington, and his speciality (defense) has struggled over the last two seasons by ranking last in the Big Ten in points allowed.

92. Jedd Fisch, Arizona
Although there were plenty of skeptics about Fisch's hire prior to the '21 season, Arizona is clearly on the right track going into '23. Prior to taking over in Tucson, Fisch had stops in the NFL as an assistant with the Ravens, Broncos, Seahawks, Jaguars, Rams and Patriots, while also bringing experience at the collegiate level from Minnesota, Miami, Michigan, and UCLA. After going 1-11 in '21, Arizona improved to 5-7 last fall and improved its scoring average from 17.2 points a contest to 30.8. Fisch inherited a significant rebuilding project, but thanks to work on the recruiting trail and through the portal, the Wildcats should push for a bowl this fall.

Pac-12 '23 Preview: Predictions | All-Conference | Bowl Projections | 133 Rankings

91. Shawn Elliott, Georgia State
Last year's 4-8 record ended a streak of three consecutive winning seasons and bowl trips for Georgia State under Elliott's watch. His overall record in Atlanta sits at 34-38 heading into '23, with a 2-10 mark in '18 skewing his resume. With five of the Panthers' eight losses last year coming by one score, Georgia State's regression from '21 to '22 wasn't quite as bad as the record suggests. Elliott has developed this program into a consistent bowl squad. The guess here is that returns in '23.

90. Clay Helton, Georgia Southern
Although Helton's overall record at USC (46-24) wasn't bad, the program never quite maximized its talent or potential. And as a result of that up-and-down play, his hire at Georgia Southern was met with skepticism last year. But Helton - a native of Florida and an assistant with experience in the South - appeared to be more comfortable and in control in Statesboro. As a result of Helton's solid assistant hires and work in the transfer portal, the Eagles made a fast transition from the option attack to a pass-first approach. Georgia Southern finished 6-7 last fall, powered by a huge upset of Nebraska in September and solid wins over James Madison and Appalachian State.

Sun Belt '23 Preview: Predictions | All-Conference | Bowl Projections | 133 Rankings

89. Shawn Clark, Appalachian State
The '23 season is crucial for Clark to show last year's 6-6 record was just a one-year blip. The former Appalachian State offensive lineman is 26-13 at his alma mater and went 19-7 from 2020-21. The Mountaineers played in the '21 Sun Belt Championship but finished 3-5 in league play last season.

88. Jeff Hafley, Boston College
Injuries wreaked havoc on Boston College's '22 season and played a major role in the team's 3-9 finish. The three-win campaign was the worst record of Hafley's tenure, which started with back-to-back six-win seasons. Hafley is 15-20 since taking over in Chestnut Hill but has only four ACC victories over the last two years. Another losing mark would certainly push Hafley onto the hot seat in '23.

87. Zach Arnett, Mississippi State
Arnett has a tough assignment ahead in taking over the program after the tragic passing of coach Mike Leach last December. The first-time head coach was promoted to the top spot in Starkville after spending the last three seasons at the program's defensive coordinator. During that stretch, Mississippi State finished in the top five of the SEC in fewest yards per play allowed, including a No. 3 rank (5.2) in '22. Arnett is putting his own stamp on the program with changes to offensive scheme and philosophy and has handed off defensive play-calling duties to assistant Matt Brock.

Related: Ranking All 133 Starting Quarterbacks for 2023

86. Clark Lea, Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt took a massive step forward in Lea's second year and should push for a bowl trip in '23. Lea inherited a major rebuilding project, but after a 2-10 debut, the Commodores went 5-7 and picked up wins against Florida and Kentucky in SEC play. The Nashville native and former Vanderbilt fullback clearly has the program trending in the right direction entering the '23 campaign.

85. Jake Dickert, Washington State
Maintaining momentum or building off initial success as an interim coach is never easy, but Dickert is off to a good start in Pullman. A 3-3 stint over the program's final six games - which included a huge win over rival Washington in the Apple Cup - was enough for Dickert to land the full-time gig. The Cougars went 7-6 last fall in Dickert's first full year at the helm and is poised to contend for another winning mark in '23. Dickert's side of the ball (defense) has showed massive improvement since his arrival as coordinator in '20. After giving up 38.5 points that year, Washington State has lowered that total in back-to-back seasons, finishing third in the Pac-12 in points allowed (22.9) last fall.

84. Rick Stockstill, Middle Tennessee
Stockstill is the longest-tenured Group of 5 coach in the nation going into the '23 season. He's guided Middle Tennessee to 15 wins and two bowl trips over the last two years and is 109-103 overall with the Blue Raiders. Although Stockstill has been consistently winning in Murfreesboro with 10 bowl trips in 17 years, this program has not won more than eight games since going 10-3 in '09.

Related: Conference USA All-Conference Team for 2023

83. Justin Wilcox, California
It's no secret California is a tough job in the Pac-12. However, after guiding the Golden Bears to a 15-11 mark from 2018-19, Wilcox is only 10-18 since '20. Additionally, the program has yet to record a winning mark in Pac-12 play under Wilcox and is just 17-32 in the Pac-12 (and 30-36 overall). Wilcox's speciality (defense) regressed last season (20.1 points a game allowed in Pac-12 play in '21) by giving up 31.4 points per conference contest. Getting the defense back on track, as well as addressing an offense that has yet to finish higher than eighth in the conference in scoring under his tenure, tops the list of priorities for Wilcox in '23.

82. Brady Hoke, San Diego State
Ranking No. 8 among Mountain West coaches might be too low for Hoke but not much separates him from Jay Norvell, Brent Brennan, and Blake Anderson in our rankings. Hoke's second stint guiding San Diego State has been headlined by ups-and-downs over the last three years. After a 4-4 mark in '20, the Aztecs went 12-2 and finished No. 25 nationally in the final Associated Press poll the following year. However, Hoke's team slipped to 7-6 last season. His previous stint at San Diego State resulted in a 13-12 record (2009-10), with tenures at Ball State (34-38) and Michigan (31-20) bringing his overall record to 101-84 entering '23.

81. Rhett Lashlee, SMU
Lashlee is a coach on the rise and one of the top offensive minds in the Group of 5 ranks entering the '23 season. The Arkansas native spent time as an offensive coordinator at Samford, Arkansas State, Auburn, UConn, SMU and Miami before landing the top spot at SMU prior to '22. Behind an offense that led the AAC in scoring (37.2 points a game), the Mustangs finished 7-6 last fall. Of the team's six losses, four came by one score. Lashlee's work on the recruiting trail and in the portal suggests it won't be long before SMU win total ticks up in '23 and beyond.

AAC '23 Preview: Predictions | All-Conference | Bowl Projections | 133 Rankings

80. Jim Mora, UConn
In Mora's debut at UConn, this program was one of the most-improved teams in the nation last fall. The Huskies entered '22 with low expectations but finished 6-7 and earned the school's first bowl trek since '15. Mora previously went 46-30 at UCLA from 2012-17 and guided the program to back-to-back double-digit win seasons (2013-14). 

79. Jim McElwain, Central Michigan
Central Michigan is the third FBS head-coaching stop in McElwain's career. The Chippewas are a solid 24-21 under his watch, with the program posting eight wins and a division title in '19, along with a 9-4 mark in '21. CMU regressed to 4-8 last season but should be able to rebound this fall. McElwain previously went 22-15 at Colorado State (2012-14) and 22-12 at Florida (2015-17). He's also spent time as an assistant in the NFL and in college with stints at Fresno State, Michigan, Louisville, and Alabama.

78. KC Keeler, Sam Houston
Keeler has simply won at every stop during his coaching career and is the perfect coach to lead Sam Houston through its transition to the FBS level. His career mark sits at 259-100-1 after stints at Rowan (88-21-1 from 1993-01), Delaware (86-52 from 2002-12) and 85-27 with the Bearkats since '14. Sam Houston won the FCS National Championship in the 2020 spring season and appeared in six playoffs under Keeler's watch.

CUSA Preview: Predictions | All-Conference | Bowl Projections | 133 Rankings

77. Brent Brennan, San Jose State
As a California native and an assistant with experience in the Pac-12 and also at San Jose State, Brennan was a perfect hire when he took over the Spartans in '17. After some early growing pains (3-22 in his first two years), San Jose State is 24-20 over the last four seasons, which includes a Mountain West title in '20 and bowl trips in '20 and '22. Despite its location in fertile recruiting territory, this is not an easy job. Yet, Brennan has managed to elevate the Spartans into an annual bowl contender.

Related: College Football Bowl Projections for 2023

76. Blake Anderson, Utah State
Utah State was one of college football's biggest surprises in '21, reeling off 11 victories, a Mountain West title and a bowl win over Oregon State in Anderson's debut. Prior to taking over in Logan, Anderson went 51-37 at Arkansas State and had just one losing mark over seven seasons in charge. However, after starting his tenure in Logan with an 11-3 mark, the Aggies slipped to 6-7 last fall. The guess here is Anderson will get this program back on track in '23 and beyond.

75. Jay Norvell, Colorado State
Norvell's debut in Fort Collins resulted in a 3-9 mark, but the program played better as the season progressed and a solid foundation is in place for '23 and beyond. Considering the Rams had only seven returning starters and significant preseason question marks last year, it's hard to knock Norvell too far in the rankings. His previous tenure at Nevada - a tough job in the Mountain West - resulted in a 33-26 mark with four consecutive bowl trips.

MW '23 Preview: Predictions | All-Conference | Bowl Projections | 133 Rankings

74. Andy Avalos, Boise State
Avalos' stock is on the rise after Boise State's midseason turnaround and 10-4 mark last season. Although 10 wins has been a regular occurrence for the Broncos in recent years, Avalos rallied the team from a 2-2 start and an early offensive coordinator change to a division title and bowl victory over North Texas (34-22). He's 17-9 since taking over at his alma mater in '21. Avalos is also regarded for his work on defense (at Boise and previously at Oregon), as Boise State has allowed less than 20 points a game in each of the last two seasons.

73. Jason Candle, Toledo
Toledo returned to the top of the MAC last season, giving Candle two conference titles to go with 54 wins since taking over as the program's head coach prior to the '15 bowl. However, after winning 20 games in his first two full years (2016-17), the Rockets slipped to 24-20 over the next three seasons. Toledo is arguably the top coaching job in the conference with resources to push for the MAC title every year. If Candle consistently matches the '22 results going forward, expect his name to pop up for bigger jobs in college football.

MAC '23 Preview: Predictions | All-Conference | Bowl Projections | 133 Rankings

72. Neal Brown, West Virginia
Brown sits squarely on the hot seat going into the '23 season. Although his hire was considered one of the best after a 35-16 stint at Troy (2015-18) in the '18-19 carousel, he's just 22-25 in Morgantown. After guiding the team to back-to-back bowl games in 2020-21, Brown followed it up with a 5-7 mark last fall. The Mountaineers have not won more than six games or finished with a winning record in Big 12 play under Brown's watch.

71. Scott Satterfield, Cincinnati
With Cincinnati stepping up from the AAC to the Big 12, Satterfield's previous experience at the Power 5 level (Louisville) should help the program through its transition. However, after an 8-5 debut with the Cardinals in '19, the program went just 17-19 over the next three years. Satterfield's team did show improvement in '22 after a slow start, which included a defense that finished tied for first in the ACC in fewest points allowed. Prior to taking over at Louisville, Satterfield went 51-24 at Appalachian State and guided the program to three seasons of 10-plus victories. 

Related: Ranking All 133 Starting Quarterbacks for 2023

70. Charles Huff, Marshall
Huff is a coach on the rise after two successful seasons in charge of the Thundering Herd. After stints as an assistant at Vanderbilt, Penn State, Mississippi State, and Alabama, Huff was hired as Marshall's head coach prior to '21. After a 7-6 debut, the Thundering Herd went 9-4 last year and are 10-6 over the last two seasons of Sun Belt play.

Related: College Football's Dark Horse Conference Title Contenders for 2023

69. Curt Cignetti, James Madison
James Madison made transitioning from the FCS to FBS level look easy last season, as Cignetti guided the Dukes to an 8-3 record and a 6-2 mark in conference play. Last year was impressive, but that was just another solid mark on Cignetti's resume. James Madison went 33-5 and claimed the FCS National Championship ('19) in his first three years at the helm. Prior to JMU, Cignetti went 14-9 at Elon (2017-18) and 53-17 at IUP (2011-16). In 12 years as a college football head coach, Cignetti has never had a losing record.

68. Tyson Helton, Western Kentucky
Consistency and high-powered offenses headline Helton's tenure so far at Western Kentucky. The Hilltoppers have won nine games in three out of his four seasons at the helm, with a 5-7 mark in '20 the only outlier. Helton's overall mark sits at 32-21 through four seasons, and he guided the team to a Conference USA East Division title in '21. After a sluggish start offensively, Helton's program has ranked near the top of C-USA in scoring each of the last two years, including the '21 squad that averaged 44.2 points a game.

Related: Ranking All 133 College Football Teams for 2023

67. Dino Babers, Syracuse
Last season's 7-6 mark helped to cool Babers' seat going into '23. After winning 10 games and finishing No. 15 nationally in '18, Syracuse went just 11-24 over the next three years and struggled in ACC play with a 5-21 mark in that span. Babers is 36-49 with the Orange and previously went 18-9 in charge at Bowling Green (2014-15) and 19-7 at Eastern Illinois (2012-13).

Related: College Football's Dark Horse Conference Title Contenders for 2023

66. Deion Sanders, Colorado
There's zero doubt with Coach Prime leading the way that Colorado will be among the most intriguing teams in college football this season. After a drastic roster overhaul and solid hires to round out the coaching staff, the Buffaloes should be one of the most-improved teams at the Power 5 level in '23. Sanders has already thrived at reeling in talent and won at a high level at Jackson State (27-6 from 2020-22). Watching how Coach Prime performs in Boulder will be on everyone's watch list this fall.

Related: Ranking the Pac-12's Top 25 Players for 2023

65. Eli Drinkwitz, Missouri
Missouri has played in back-to-back bowl games and has an 11-14 mark in SEC play over the last two years. Overall, Drinkwitz has guided the Tigers to a 17-19 record and no season over .500 since taking over in '20. Although the results haven't been at the bottom of the SEC, is there a next step Drinkwitz can elevate this program to in '23 and beyond? Although his background is on offense, Drinkwitz is passing the play-calling duties to Kirby Moore this fall. Counting one season at Appalachian State, Drinkwitz is 29-20 as a head coach at the FBS level.

Related: College Football Bowl Projections for 2023

64. Dana Holgorsen, Houston
For the second time in his head-coaching career, Holgorsen is set to guide a program through a transition into the Big 12. After leading West Virginia to a 10-3 record in the Big East in '11, the Mountaineers moved to the Big 12 and proceeded to go 51-38 over the next seven seasons. Holgorsen departed to take over the top spot at Houston in '19 and started 7-13 over the first two years. However, the Cougars showed marked improvement in '21 by finishing 12-2 and earning a trip to the AAC title game. Houston regressed to 8-5 last fall, which dropped Holgorsen's overall record to 27-20. Can Holgorsen quickly get the program back to double-digit wins as it moves to a tougher conference?

63. Brent Venables, Oklahoma
Venables' selective path to a head-coaching position landed him a dream job at Oklahoma after working in Norman previously from 1999-11 and at Clemson as arguably the best defensive coordinator in the nation (2012-21). But Venables' debut didn't go according to plan. The Sooners finished 6-7 - the program's first losing season since '98 - and went just 3-6 in Big 12 play. With five losses by one score, along with an improved roster this offseason, optimism is running high for improvement in '23. But Venables also has another task on his plate: Oklahoma has to get prepped for a move to the SEC in '24.

Related: Grading the Debuts for First-Year Coaches in 2022

62. Joey McGuire, Texas Tech
The jump from successful high school coach to college assistant to running a FBS program hasn't proven too big for McGuire at all. The Texas native guided the Red Raiders to an 8-5 mark last fall and posted a winning record (5-4) in Big 12 play for the first time since '09. Additionally, Texas Tech beat both Oklahoma and Texas in the same season for the first time in program history. McGuire went 141-42 as the head coach at Cedar Hill High School 2003-16, while his stint on Baylor's staff from 2017-21 provided valuable insight into how to build a program in the Big 12.

Related: Why Texas Tech is the Big 12's Sleeper Team for 2023

61. Mike Locksley, Maryland
Maryland has made steady progress under Locksley's watch, and the program is coming off its best finish (8-5) since the '10 season. Locksley's strength on the recruiting trail (Washington, D.C. and DMV area) continues to shine, as the Terrapins have averaged a No. 29 finish nationally over the last four years. And after a 3-11 start to Big Ten play, Locksley is 7-11 since '21. With the recent on-field improvement and solid recruiting, Maryland should continue to trend up in '23 - and should especially benefit in '24 with divisions going away. 

60. Mike Houston, East Carolina
East Carolina has made big-time improvement under Houston's watch. After a 7-14 start to his tenure, the Pirates have finished 15-10 over the last two seasons and have played in back-to-back bowl games. Prior to East Carolina, Houston went 37-6 with a FCS National Championship at James Madison and had successful stints at The Citadel (14-11) and Lenoir-Rhyne (29-8).

59. Greg Schiano, Rutgers
Schiano inherited a program in need of a big-time rebuild after his return to the top spot in 2020. And after three seasons at the helm, Schiano has guided the team to a 12-22 mark with a 6-20 record in Big Ten games. Entering his fourth year back in Piscataway, has Schiano's rebuilding effort paid off for a big jump in wins this fall? During his first stint (2001-11), Schiano guided the program to a 68-67 record and six bowl games over seven years.

Big Ten '23 Preview: Predictions | All-Conference | Bowl Projections | 133 Rankings

58. Mel Tucker, Michigan State
Tucker has experienced the highs (11-2 in '21) and the lows (5-7) in '22 in his brief Michigan State tenure over the last two seasons. The Spartans finished No. 9 nationally and beat Pitt in the Peach Bowl to cap the 11-win campaign in '21, which was also the best season for the program since the '15 run to the CFB Playoff. Combine a 2-5 record during the abbreviated '20 campaign and a 5-7 record at Colorado in '19, and Tucker's overall record as a head coach sits at 23-21 going into '23.

57. Chris Creighton, Eastern Michigan
It may seem odd to pick someone with a 46-61 record as the No. 1 coach in the MAC, but Creighton's resume is impressive considering the track record at Eastern Michigan. After going 3-21 in his first two years, Creighton has guided the Eagles to five bowl trips and four winning records. Last season's nine wins was only the second time EMU has won more than eight games in program history. Also, of the seven times the Eagles have won at least seven or more games, four have taken place under Creighton's direction. Creighton has also been successful at lower levels of college football, going 32-9 at Ottawa (1997-00), 63-15 at Wabash (2001-07), and 44-22 at Drake (2008-13).

56. Craig Bohl, Wyoming
Wyoming is a difficult job, but Bohl has brought consistency since taking over the program in '14. After a 6-18 start to his tenure, the Cowboys have played in five bowl games over the last seven seasons. Also, the only losing record (2-4) in that span took place during the abbreviated '20 campaign. Bohl is 52-56 since taking over in Laramie, which followed a 104-32 mark at North Dakota State with three FCS Championships (2011-13).

Related: Ranking All 133 College Football Teams for 2023

55. Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame
Freeman was one of college football's rising star assistant coaches when he was promoted to head coach after Brian Kelly departed for LSU after the '21 regular season. In his first year with the Fighting Irish, Freeman had an up-and-down year but still guided the team to a 9-4 finish. Notre Dame had puzzling losses to Stanford and Marshall but also beat Clemson and recorded a solid bowl victory against South Carolina. With games against Ohio State, Clemson, and USC on tap for '23, Freeman has a few high-profile showdowns to get Notre Dame into contention for a spot in the CFB Playoff. 

54. Kalani Sitake, BYU
Sitake is 56-34 since taking over at his alma mater in '16. The Cougars have just one losing mark (4-9 in '17) in that stretch and posted back-to-back double-digit win totals in '20-21. Additionally, BYU is 29-9 over the last three years. Under Sitake's watch, the Cougars have won 15 games against Power 5 opponents. Depth and an improved defense top the list of priorities for Sitake to address as BYU embarks on its Big 12 debut.

53. Jerry Kill, New Mexico State
Kill had a solid debut in Las Cruces, guiding a much-improved New Mexico State squad to a 7-6 mark (from 2-10 in the previous year) and the program's second bowl victory since 1961. The veteran coach has been successful at a handful of stops, including Saginaw Valley State (38-14), Emporia State (11-11), Southern Illinois (55-32), Northern Illinois (23-16), and Minnesota (29-29). His all-time coaching record sits at 165-110 entering '23.

52. Rich Rodriguez, Jacksonville State
Having a coach with the experience and background of Rodriguez is certainly an asset for Jacksonville State as it transitions to the FBS level. Rodriguez is one of the modern era of college football's top offensive minds and guided the Gamecocks to a 9-2 record last fall in his debut. Although his tenures at Michigan (15-22) and Arizona (43-35) never quite matched the high level of winning he had at West Virginia (60-26), Rodriguez's resume and record (172-121-2) still places him among the best in Conference USA.

51. Tom Herman, FAU
Although Herman was dismissed as the head coach at Texas after a four-year stint (2017-20), his overall record in Austin was still a solid 32-18. And before taking over with the Longhorns, Herman went 22-4 as the head coach at Houston (2015-16) and had successful stints as an assistant at Texas State, Rice, Iowa State, and Ohio State. After his tenure ended with the Longhorns, Herman worked for one season with the Bears (2021) and in television at CBS Sports.

Related: Grading College Football's New Coach Hires for 2023

50. Jeff Tedford, Fresno State
Tedford's second stint in charge at Fresno State is off to a good start. The Bulldogs went 10-4, won the Mountain West Championship and finished No. 24 nationally in the final Associated Press rankings last year. Tedford's previous run in Fresno was highlighted by 22 wins from 2017-18 before he stepped aside due to health reasons after the '19 season. In addition to being one of the top offensive minds and quarterback gurus in college football, Tedford has a solid overall mark as a head coach (118-75) thanks to his stints at Fresno State and California.

49. Dan Lanning, Oregon
So far, so good for Lanning. After a fast rise through the assistant ranks that included stints at Sam Houston, Alabama (graduate assistant), Memphis, and Georgia, Lanning took over after Mario Cristobal departed for Miami prior to the '22 campaign. The Ducks finished 10-3 in Lanning's debut and capped the year by beating North Carolina to win the Holiday Bowl. As a first-time head coach taking over a team near the top of the Pac-12, Lanning navigated a ton of pressure in his first season. But with recruiting going well and plenty of optimism for '23, Oregon is clearly on solid footing going into the fall and for the future.

Related: Ranking All 133 Starting Quarterbacks for 2023

48. Mike Elko, Duke
Elko exceeded all expectations in his first season at Duke in '22. The Blue Devils went 3-9 and winless in ACC play (0-8) in the year prior to his arrival but showed massive improvement last season by going 9-4 overall. Also, Duke's 5-3 mark in conference play was the team's first winning ACC record since '14. Prior to taking over in Durham, Elko ranked among college football's best defensive coordinators with stints at Wake Forest, Notre Dame, and Texas A&M.

47. Kane Wommack, South Alabama
South Alabama is a program on the rise under Wommack's direction. The Jaguars went 5-7 in his debut in '21 but jumped to 10-3 last season. Of South Alabama's three losses last year, one came in the bowl to WKU, while the other two came by a combined five points - one to UCLA and by four to Troy.

46. Jon Sumrall, Troy
In terms of best debuts by new coaches last season, not many had a better first year than Sumrall. The Alabama native returned to his home state after spending three seasons as an assistant at Kentucky (2019-21) and one at Ole Miss ('18) after a previous three-year run on Neal Brown's staff at Troy (2015-17). The Trojans finished 5-7 in the season prior to Sumrall's debut but finished 12-2 and won the Sun Belt title in '22. Additionally, Troy finished No. 19 in the final Associated Press poll - the first time the program accomplished that mark since moving to the FBS level.

Related: Sun Belt Predictions for 2023

45. Billy Napier, Florida
Florida was a bigger rebuilding project than some realized, but the long-term path under Napier still looks promising after despite a 6-7 debut in Gainesville last season. The Gators knocked off Utah in the '22 opener and later lost to Tennessee (38-33), LSU (45-35), and Florida State (45-38) by 10 points or less. The slow build approach paid off for Napier in his previous stop at Louisiana. The Ragin' Cajuns went 7-7 in his debut ('18) but proceeded to go 33-5 with a Sun Belt title in '21 over the last three seasons.

44. Sam Pittman, Arkansas
The Razorbacks didn't live up to preseason expectations last season, falling to 7-6 in Pittman's third year on the job. However, between coaching changes and a handful of portal additions, returning to the top 25 is within reach for Arkansas this fall. After going 3-7 in the abbreviated '20 campaign, the Razorbacks finished 9-4 with a 4-4 mark in SEC play in '21. Also, the No. 21 ranking in the final Associated Press poll was the program's first top-25 finish since '11.

Related: SEC All-Transfer Portal Team for 2023

43. Dave Aranda, Baylor
Taking over a program in the abbreviated '20 season was a tough assignment for Aranda, so it wasn't any surprise Baylor struggled in his debut (2-7). But the Bears rebounded in a big way in '21, finishing with a 12-2 record and a Big 12 Championship. Aranda's team also knocked off Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl to claim their first New Year's Six bowl victory of the CFB Playoff era. However, Baylor took a step back last season with a 6-7 record and a 4-5 mark in Big 12 play. The Bears have been up-and-down under Aranda's watch. The '23 season should provide better insight into whether or not the program is closer to the '21 title or the 6-7 mark of '22.

Related: Big 12 Football Predictions for 2023

42. Gus Malzahn, UCF
Having a coach of Malzahn's experience at the highest level of college football is a valuable resource for UCF as it moves from the American to the Big 12 in '23. The Knights are 18-9 since Malzahn's arrival in '21 and played for the AAC title last year. Malzahn's play-calling has also guided UCF to fourth in the AAC offensive yards per play in back-to-back seasons. Although Malzahn was dismissed as Auburn's coach at the end of '20, his overall record on the Plains was a solid 67-35. Also, the Tigers played for the '13 national championship and won 10 games in the '17 season. Counting a one-year stint as Arkansas State's head coach in '12, Malzahn is 94-47 overall as a head coach at the FBS level.

41. Steve Sarkisian, Texas
Ranking Sarkisian No. 6 in the Big 12 requires a little projection, as the third-year coach has Texas on the right track entering the '23 season. Recruiting is going well as the program is set to transition to the SEC next fall, and the on-field product has improved after a 5-7 debut for Sarkisian in '21. The Longhorns improved that mark by three wins into '22 (8-5) and finished 6-3 in the Big 12. Texas marks the third Power 5 stint in Sarkisian's career, as he went 34-29 at Washington (2009-13) and 12-6 at USC (2014-15). The next step in Austin for Sarkisian is clear: A Big 12 title is within reach and should be the expectation for '23.

Related: College Football Bowl Projections for 2023

40. Jeff Monken, Army
Army is a tough job, but Monken has returned this program into a consistent winner. After a 6-18 start to his tenure (2014-15), Monken proceeded to guide the team to at least eight wins in four of the next five bowl games. Additionally, the Black Knights finished No. 20 in the final Associated Press poll after an 11-win year in '18. Monken is 64-49 since his arrival in West Point. He previously went 38-16 at Georgia Southern from 2010-13. 

39. Jamey Chadwell, Liberty
Liberty made one of the best coaching moves of the offseason by hiring Chadwell away from Coastal Carolina. The Tennessee native went 39-22 with the Chanticleers, including 31-6 mark over the last three years. Also, Chadwell developed one of the nation's top offenses during that stretch, as Coastal Carolina led the Sun Belt in scoring in 2021 and '22 and averaged nearly 30 points a game last fall. Prior to his last stint in Conway, S.C., Chadwell went 35-14 as the head coach at Charleston Southern (2013-16) and compiled a 25-21 mark from stints at North Greenville and Delta State.

Related: Conference USA Predictions for 2023

38. Shane Beamer, South Carolina
Beamer has exceeded all preseason expectations in back-to-back years in charge of the Gamecocks. Late-season wins over Florida and Auburn helped South Carolina reach bowl eligibility in '21, and the program capitalized by pounding North Carolina 38-21 in Charlotte. A year later, the Gamecocks once again improved throughout the season. Beamer's team entered November at 5-3 overall but surged nationally after blasting Tennessee 63-38 on Nov. 19 and defeating Clemson 31-30 in Death Valley a week later. With a 15-11 record and recruiting continuing to trend up, Beamer has South Carolina in a good spot entering the '23 season.

37. Kalen DeBoer, Washington
Washington was one of the nation's most-improved teams last season. After going 7-9 from 2020-21, the Huskies immediately jumped into Pac-12 title contention with DeBoer's arrival. Washington finished 11-2 and nearly made the conference title game after picking up wins against Oregon State, Oregon, and Washington State in the month of November. DeBoer's first season was capped by an Alamo Bowl win (27-20) over Texas. A much-improved offense led the way for Washington last year, as DeBoer's ability to develop high-powered groups was on full display. The Huskies averaged only 21.5 in '21 but jumped to 39.7 points a game last year. DeBoer has been a winner at every stop in his career, including a 67-3 stint at Sioux Falls (2005-09) and a 12-6 mark at Fresno State (2020-21).

Pac-12 '23 Preview: Predictions | All-Conference | Bowl Projections | 133 Rankings

36. Matt Campbell, Iowa State
Last season's 4-8 record marked just the second time the Cyclones have had a losing season under Campbell's watch. Considering Iowa State is one of the Big 12's toughest jobs and the track record so far, it's easy to see why most expect Campbell's program to rebound in '23. The Cyclones are 46-42 since Campbell's debut and are 32-31 in the Big 12 since '16. Also, the program's No. 9 rank in the final poll of '20 was the best finish in school history.

35. Mario Cristobal, Miami
Cristobal's return home didn't go according to plan last season. The 'Canes finished a disappointing 5-7 and lost three out of their last four games - all by 26 points or more. However, with Miami investing more in the program (coach salaries and facilities especially), this wasn't expected to be a one-year fix for Cristobal. The long-term outlook is promising thanks to a standout '23 recruiting class, as well as Cristobal's work at Oregon (35-13 from 2017-21). Counting a 27-47 stint at FIU from 2007-12, Cristobal's overall record as a FBS head coach sits at 67-67 going into '23.

ACC '23 Preview: Predictions | All-Conference | Bowl Projections | 133 Rankings

34. Jeff Traylor, UTSA
Of the six new programs in the American Athletic Conference for '23, the Roadrunners are easily the team most capable of making an impact right away - potentially for a berth in a New Year's Six bowl. After a successful stint as the head coach at Gilmer High School, Traylor spent time as an assistant at Texas, SMU, and Arkansas before taking over in San Antonio. In three seasons at the helm, the Roadrunners are 30-10 and posted back-to-back Conference USA titles (2021-22).

33. Bret Bielema, Illinois
Illinois has showed marked improvement under Bielema's watch, going from 5-7 in '21 to 8-5 and nearly a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game last season. The Fighting Illini have also won nine contests in league play under Bielema, which is the program's best stint since a 9-7 mark from 2007-08. A return to the Big Ten was exactly what Bielema needed after his stint at Arkansas (2013-17) ended in his dismissal following a 29-34 record. Counting a 68-24 stint at Wisconsin from 2006-12, Bielema's all-time coaching record sits at 110-70 going into '23.

Related: College Football's Dark Horse Title Contenders for 2023

32. P.J. Fleck, Minnesota
1904-05 is how far you have to go back to find a stretch of Minnesota football where it posted back-to-back seasons of at least nine victories (or more). If you take out the abbreviated '20 campaign, the Golden Gophers are 29-10 over the last full three seasons of play. Overall, Fleck is 44-27 since taking over in Minneapolis, which followed a 30-22 stint as Western Michigan's head coach from 2013-16.

31. Dave Doeren, NC State
Doeren consistently churns out winning records in Raleigh, as last year's 8-5 mark was the sixth time over his 10-year tenure that the program won at least eight games in a season. The Wolfpack also have two top-25 finishes ('17 and '21) under Doeren's watch. After starting 9-23 in ACC play (2013-16), NC State is 29-21 over the last six seasons. Counting a 23-4 run at Northern Illinois from 2011-12, Doeren's overall record as a FBS head coach is a solid 95-58. The next step? Guide the program to 10 or more victories (NC State has just one double-digit win season in school history) and make the ACC Championship Game - a task that should get easier with the conference eliminating divisions.