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AFM Magazine

AFM Magazine


LRSSports Hot Coaches 2006

by: AFM Editorial Staff
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Division I-A

Mike Haywood, Offensive Coordinator, Notre Dame: The Notre Dame alumnus (Class of ’86) had an impressive performance last year, his first in the job. The Irish offense averaged 36.7 points a game, which put them at No. 8 in the nation. The team had a particularly potent passing attack, averaging 330 yards per game, fourth best in the country. And the outlook is rosy for this year too, with seven starters and 15 lettermen returning to the offense.

Rich Rodriguez, Head Coach, West Virginia: The Mountaineers went 11-1 last year, tying the school record for most victories in a season, and won the 2006 Sugar Bowl over Georgia. The innovative Rodriguez, 43, has a 39-22 record in five years as head coach of his alma mater (graduated ’86). The team looks stocked for this year too, with seven players named to the pre-season All Big East team.

Chuck Long, Head Coach, San Diego State: He brings an impressive resume to his first year in this job, with 11 seasons as an assistant at Oklahoma and his alma mater Iowa. As a player, the 43-year-old Long played QB for eight seasons in the NFL. He coached at Oklahoma for the last six years and was offensive coordinator for the last four.

Dan Hawkins, Head Coach, Colorado: He comes to his first year at Colorado after an impressive 53-11 record during his five-year run as head coach of Boise State. Under Hawkins, the Broncos averaged 36.1 points per game last season, ninth highest in the nation. And Boise State led the WAC in rushing offense, rushing defense and kickoff returns last year.

Chris Petersen, Head Coach, Boise State: He replaced Hawkins after serving five years under him as offensive coordinator. Petersen, 41, was a finalist for the Broyles Award honoring the country’s top assistant coach in 2002 and 2004. The Broncos had the highest scoring average in the country during his five years directing the offense, with an average of 41.6 points a game.

Paul Johnson, Head Coach, Navy: He took over at Navy in 2002, after the Midshipmen had gone 1-20 in the previous two years. In the last three seasons, Johnson, 48, has turned it around to 26-11. That’s the most wins for Navy in any three-year period. In 2005, the team went 8-4, despite returning the fewest starters in the country.

Todd Berry, Quarterbacks Coach, University of Miami (FL): Berry begins the job this season, after working for the past two years as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at University of Louisiana-Monroe. He was previously head coach at Illinois State and Army. Berry played QB himself at Tulsa. In 2005, Louisiana-Monroe placed third in the Sun Belt Conference in total offense and first in passing.

Bobby Petrino, Head Coach, Louisville: Petrino, 45, has led the Cardinals to a 29-8 record in his three years on the job, including 9-3 last season. Under the guidance of Petrino, hailed as an offensive mastermind, Louisville has piled up the points. Last year, it ranked third in the country in scoring, with an average of 43.4 points a game. Petrino started at Louisville as offensive coordinator in 1998.

Ron Prince, Head Coach, Kansas State: Prince, 36, is rising up the coaching ladder quickly. When the Wildcats named him to the job in December, he was the youngest head coach in Division I-A and one of just four African Americans in that position. Prince has 13 years of experience coaching college football. He came to Manhattan after five years at the University of Virginia, including the last three as Al Groh’s OC.

Karl Dorrell, Head Coach, UCLA: Dorrell has turned things around quickly in his three years on the job. After a 12-13 record during his first two years, the Bruins soared to a 10-2 mark in 2005. UCLA ranked fifth nationally in per-game scoring last year with 39.1 points. The final USA Today/Coaches’ poll ranked the school 13th, its best finish since 1998.

Division I-AA

Chip Kelly, Offensive Coordinator, New Hampshire: Kelly begins his 14th season this year as a New Hampshire assistant and eighth as the offensive coordinator. The Wildcats averaged close to 400 yards per game in every season he’s coordinated the offense and transformed from a run-oriented attack into the top passing team in I-AA football.

Matt Griffin, Head Coach, Murray State University: Griffin takes over at Murray State in 2006 after turning around a downtrodden program at Tennessee-Martin. When he took the helm at Tennessee-Martin in 2003, the Skyhawks hadn’t posted a winning season since 1993 and hadn’t finished at .500 or above in Ohio Valley Conference play since 1995.

Frank Tavani, Head Coach, Lafayette College: Tavani has directed the once-proud Lafayette program back into a proven winner in his six years at the helm. Lafayette made its first-ever post-season appearance and won the Patriot League for the first time since 1994 two years ago, and duplicated both feats in 2005.
Willie Totten, Head Coach, Mississippi Valley State University: Totten, who quarterbacked the record-setting Mississippi Valley State offense in the mid-1980s with Jerry Rice at wide receiver, has brought a prolific passing game back for the Delta Devils in his four years as coach. Mississippi Valley State posted a 6-5 mark in 2005 and threw for more than 285 yards per game.

Jim Harbaugh, Head Coach, University of San Diego: In two seasons, Harbaugh has made the San Diego program the model of success for mid-major I-AA schools. The Pioneers notched a 7-4 record in 2004, and won The Sports Network Cup with an 11-1 mark a year ago, helping to make Harbaugh a candidate for the Division I-AA Coach of the Year award.

Rich Ellerson, Head Coach, California Polytechnic State University: Ellerson brought Cal Poly to the postseason for the first time in school history last season, and the Mustangs won in their playoff debut at Montana. Ellerson coaches an attacking defense that has led the nation in sacks for the past two seasons.

Jay Thomas, Head Coach, Nicholls State University: Despite two cancellations due to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Thomas led Nicholls State to its first-ever Southland Conference title and its first playoff berth since 1996. Thomas took over right before the 2004 campaign, and has directed the Colonels to an 11-9 record in the past two seasons.

Jay Mills, Head Coach, Charleston Southern University: Mills took the Charleston Southern program to new heights in 2005, as he led the Buccaneers to a 7-4 record and a share of the Big South title. He was named Big South Coach of the Year by collegesports.com for his efforts. The Buccaneers had a .267 all-time overall winning percentage and a 1-10 all-time mark in the Big South coming into the season.

David Bailiff, Head Coach, Texas State University: Bailiff’s resurrection of the Texas State program resulted in a Southland Conference championship, the first playoff berth in school history and a trip to the I-AA semifinals in 2005. Texas State had three consecutive losing seasons prior to Bailiff’s arrival in 2004, but he brought the program up to a 5-6 mark that season before exploding on the national scene a year ago.

Dave Clawson, Head Coach, University of Richmond: In just seven years as a head coach, Clawson already has turned around two programs. At Fordham, Clawson transformed an 0-11 team in 1999 into a Patriot League champion and I-AA playoff participant in 2002. Clawson moved to Richmond in 2004, and produced the first winning season and first playoff berth since 2000 by leading the Spiders to a 9-4 record.

Division II

Chuck Martin, Head Coach, Grand Valley State University: In his second year of taking over for Brian Kelly, Martin’s squad won the national championship last season. The Lakers ended the campaign at 13-0. In his first season, Grand Valley went 10-3 and reached the quarterfinals of the D-II playoffs.

Ed Meierkort, Head Coach, University of South Dakota: In just two seasons, Meierkort has transformed the Coyotes from a North Central Conference also-ran to a Division II power. Meierkort has directed the Coyotes to an 18-4 record in his two years on the job. Last season the team went 9-2 and won the North Central Conference title.

Chris Hatcher, Head Coach, Valdosta State University: During his six years as coach, Hatcher has compiled an impressive record of 68-10. His .872 winning percentage is the highest of any active Division I or II coach with at least five years of experience. In 2004, his team won its first national championship. In 2002 Valdosta State was runner up in the championship game.

Mark Hudspeth, Head Coach, University of North Alabama: Hudspeth has had a stellar four years in this job. After going 4-7 his first year, the Lions roared to a 13-1 record in 2003, reaching the semifinals of the D-II playoffs. Last season, the Lions finished at 11-3.

Don Carthel, Head Coach, West Texas A&M University: In his first year at West Texas A&M, Carthel guided a once destitute program into the playoffs last season. The team finished at 10-2, winning its first eight games and losing to Pittsburg State in the first round of the playoffs. The 10 wins tied a school record, and the Buffaloes won the Lone Star Conference title for the first time since 1986.

Mel Tjeerdsma, Head Coach, Northwest Missouri State University: He took over a winless program in 1994 and turned it into a national champion – twice, in 1998 and 1999. He was named American Football Coaches Association National Coach of the Year for both campaigns. Last year, he guided the Bearcats to the championship game.

Randy Awrey, Head Coach, Saginaw Valley State University: He has an impressive record of 63-20 for his seven years coaching the Cardinals. And that mark has come despite playing in the same conference as powerhouse Grand Valley State. Last season the team was 11-2 and reached the quarterfinals of the playoffs. It won a road playoff game – at Nebraska-Omaha – for the first time in school history.

James “Mike” White, Head Coach, Albany State University: He has turned his team into one of the best in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) during his six seasons on the job. White has guided the Golden Rams to SIAC championships in each of the past three seasons. And Albany State was runner-up in the NCAA playoffs in 2004 and 2005. The Golden Rams posted a record of 8-2 last year, and White was named the conference’s Coach of the Year.

Craig Schurig, Head Coach, Washburn University: In his four seasons at the helm, Schurig has transformed the Ichabods from the doormat of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association into a legitimate contender. In fact, Washburn won the conference championship in 2005, for the first time since 1983. The team was ranked No. 13 in the final AFCA Division II poll, the first time Washburn made it into the final rankings.

Dale Lennon, Head Coach, University of North Dakota: Last year, Lennon’s seventh on the job, the Fighting Sioux had a 10-3 record and reached the second round of the playoffs, losing to the ultimate champion, Grand Valley State. A steady philosophy of building within, rather than relying on transfers, has allowed Lennon to build a school record .776 winning percentage.

Division III

Todd Glaser, Head Coach, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire: Glaser returns to his alma mater after coaching Marietta to an 11-9 record the past two seasons. He spent three seasons at Marietta, taking over a team that had gone 10-30 the previous four years.

Zac Bruney, Quarterbacks Coach, Mount Union College: A former two-year starter at QB for the Purple Raiders, Bruney helped Mike Jorris grow into Bruney’s shoes and win the national title. Bruney went directly from starting QB in 2004 to quarterbacks coach in 2005.

Tom Smith, Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line, Wesley College (Delaware): Smith enters his second season as defensive coordinator at Wesley. He previously coached defensive ends at King’s, where he graduated from in 1995. The Wolverines allowed 20 points or fewer in 10 of 14 games last season, including two playoff games.

Jeff Devanney, Head Coach, Trinity College (Connecticut): Devanney inherits the longest active winning streak in college football, but was partly responsible for it as secondary coach from 2002-04 and defensive coordinator in 2005. Prior to Trinity, Devanney was the defensive coordinator at Central Connecticut State from 1998-2000.

Robby Long, Assistant Head Coach, DePauw University: Long and head coach Matt Walker have a challenge ahead as DePauw enters its fourth season under a fourth head coach. Long, just off two years as offensive line coach, was a three-year letter winner at Illinois.

Aaron Klotz, Defensive Coordinator, Adrian College: Klotz’s defense has had three All-America selections in the past two years, including first-team defensive end Mike Lewis this past season. The Bulldogs led the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association in total defense in 2005 and were second in 2004.

Greg Etter, Defensive Coordinator, Carthage College: Entering his fourth year at Carthage, Etter’s unit led the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin in scoring defense and total defense. The Red Men are coming off a season in which they allowed just eight touchdowns through the air, while intercepting 12 passes.
Jim Clements, Head Coach, Delaware Valley College: Clements takes over the top spot following the departure of G.A. Mangus, now offensive coordinator at Middle Tennessee State. As defensive coordinator in 2004 and 2005, Clements elevated the Aggies from the middle of the pack in the Middle Atlantic Conference to the top two spots in scoring defense and total defense.

Joe Smith, Head Coach, Linfield College: Smith, a 12-year assistant coach at Linfield and defensive coordinator the past six seasons, inherits the longest streak of winning seasons in college football history and the 2004 national champions.

Glenn Caruso, Head Coach, Macalester College: Hired in December, the former OC and QBs coach at South Dakota has a team that has lost 14 in a row. Prior to working at South Dakota, Caruso served as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for one year at UW-Eau Claire.

NAIA

Mike Van Diest, Head Coach, Carroll College: There is no doubt that Van Diest is one of the best small college coaches in the country. Van Diest has won four straight national championships and has the program in place to potentially make it five.

Warren Maloney, Defensive Coordinator, St. Francis (IN): Being the right hand man to head coach Kevin Donley is never a bad thing. Maloney’s defensive at USF have been some of the best in the country despite graduating what seems to be a lot of talent each season.

Dino Kaklis, Head Coach, Bethel (TN): Dino Kaklis took over the Bethel football program at a very low point in its short history. They have never seen success and had struggled every year. Since Kaklis took over he has taken the program and moved the Wildcats into being a national competitor.

Jay Emmons, Defensive Coordinator, Lambuth: Emmons is a young coach who has really started to make a name for himself in the NAIA ranks. As the DC under Vic Wallace, Emmons has been responsible for keeping Lambuth in games against some of the highest powered offenses in the NAIA.

Dennis McCulloch, Head Coach, Valley City State: Last year Valley City State tied for the conference title and nearly made the NAIA post season. McCulloch has a reputation for getting the most out of his athletes and was voted Coach of the Year last fall in the Dakota Athletic Conference. He begins his tenth season for the Vikings this year
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Jeff Fischer, Offensive Coordinator, McKendree College: There is no doubt the the Bearcat’s are going to run the football. So one would have to wonder why Fischer is such a hot coach? Consider no one has stopped them from running the football in the eleven years he has spent with the school and you will understand why. Fischer hammers the football at people every game creating a very physical atmosphere.

Matt Franzen, Offensive/Recruiting Coordinator, Hastings College: Franzen has proven to be an outstanding tactician. He spends countless hours making sure the recruits to Hastings College have things in line while also helping to put together one of the most balanced offensive attacks in the Great Plains Athletic Conference.

Jay Brown, Head Coach, Texas College: The former D-I assistant at New Mexico State got his first taste as head coach by helping to start the Steers football program. While he has lacked facilities, funding, and national exposure Brown has still managed to come away on top after two seasons in the NAIA. Texas College won their first conference championship last fall (CSFL).

Craig Hubbard, Defensive Coordinator, Southern Nazarene: Hubbard went with SNU when Mike Cochran got the job last winter. While his relationship with Cochran is excellent, one has to wonder how long it will be before Hubbard decides to become a head coach of his own someday. His defenses at MNU were some of the best in the country while the same is expected at SNU.

Jason Hill, Offensive Coordinator, Morningside College: Great talent gives you the ability to put up a lot of yards but it also give you a chance to hone your offense into a well oiled machine. Morningside’s offense has been tearing up the NAIA since Hill took over as the offensive coordinator five seasons ago.

Junior Colleges

Troy Morrell, Head Coach, Butler Community College (KS): In six years at the helm of the Grizzlies, he has produced six conference titles and a like number of bowl appearances. His 62-9 record includes a co-national title with City College of San Francisco in 2003.

George Rush, Head Coach, City College of San Francisco: It’s impossible to leave a JC coach with his record off of the list. In 29 years, Rush has accumulated 234 victories, just 79 losses and four ties. He hasn’t slowed down one iota, showing a 54-7 mark over the past five years.

Tim Hatten, Head Coach, Pearl River Community College (MS): Since taking over at PRC four seasons ago, Hatten has led the Wildcats to a 37-5 record, by far the best in the south. For the Schutt Sports Junior College Coach of the Year in 2004 there is no off-season. He is constantly on the go looking for new ways to beat his Mississippi foes.

John Featherstone, Head Coach, El Camino College (CA): Forever optimistic, “Feather’s” winning attitude rubs off on his teams. “Always look on the bright side” seems to be his credo. Turning down several college offers, he has carved out 154 wins, to just 70 losses and a pair of ties in 21 years with the Warriors.

James Pryor, Head Coach, Arizona Western College: He made a huge impression on the home folks in Yuma in his initial year as head coach of the Matadors. His players earned respect by taking part in various community activities and showed continued improvement on the field throughout the season.

Tony Caviglia, Head Coach, Fresno City College (CA): He is one of those coaches who can lose a ton of talent to graduation and just reload for another winning season. His Rams are constantly listed in the top 10 and his players go on to brilliant college careers.

Bert Williams, Head Coach, Georgia Military College: Williams has been in these pages before and deservedly so. His Bulldogs travel to face opponents all over the country due to a lack of football participation by southern JCs. He maintains a 50-14 record after six seasons.

Keith Simons, Head Coach, Santa Rosa Junior College (CA): Opposing teams sulk at the thought of playing Simons’ Bear Cubs and the notorious spread offense. While going 8-3 in 2005, Santa Rosa tallied 464 points in 11 games for a 42.2 avg.

Michael White, Head Coach, Reedley College (CA): It’s not easy to create a winning atmosphere in a small town, but White has achieved that to the tune of 42 wins and just 13 losses in the past five years. Toss in a national title in 2003, and such stats as 502 points in 11 games last year.

High School

Todd Dodge, Carroll (Southlake, TX): It’s the fourth consecutive year on this list for Dodge, 42, who has led the Dragons to back-to-back National Prep Poll titles and three Class 5A titles in four seasons. The former University of Texas QB, who likely will be a candidate for college jobs in the near future, already has interviewed with an NFL team.

Kerwin Bell, Trinity Catholic (Ocala, FL): From 1984-87, Bell quarterbacked the Florida Gators to 30 wins while becoming the school’s all-time leading passer. Bell (32-14 in four seasons) now coaches one of the top prep passers in the country in University of Texas-bound quarterback John Brantley.

Steve Specht, St. Xavier (Cincinnati): Specht, 38, has led his alma mater to a 26-1 record and its first state title in his first two years as HC. Last season, the Bombers’ 3-3-5 odd stack defense was lights-out, allowing only a combined 50 points in eight games against state playoff teams.

Rush Propst, Hoover (AL.): Propst, who interviewed for the Valdosta (Ga.) job last winter and later withdrew his name, appears on this list for the third consecutive season. The Bucs, who are ranked No. 1 in the preseason National Prep Poll, have appeared in every 6A state championship game this decade with five titles. Hoover, 92-8 in eight seasons under Propst, is a powerhouse program boasting excellence at all levels.

Kevin Wright, Union (Tulsa, OK): Wright led Warren Central (Indianapolis) to three straight 5A state titles before moving to Union, a school with three state titles in four years. With Wright as offensive coordinator, Warren Central averaged more than 400 rushing yards per game the last two seasons.

Scooter Molander, Brophy Prep (Phoenix): Molander, 39, a former record-setting quarterback at Colorado State, spent time as a player and coach in the arena leagues before joining the staff at Brophy. Last season, Molander’s first as head coach, the Broncos shocked nationally ranked Hamilton (Chandler), 15-14, in the 5A/I state championship and won their first title.

Ricky Woods, South Panola (Batesville, MS): The Tigers have won three straight 5A state titles under Woods, who is 59-1 at South Panola and 189-40 overall. The Tigers enter the season with a 45-game winning streak, the third longest current streak in the country.

Tom Knotts, Independence (Charlotte, NC): After a one-year stint coaching QBs at his alma mater Duke in 2004, Knotts, 50, is back with the Patriots, who own the nation’s longest current winning streak (92) with six consecutive 4A state titles. Darryl McFadden has followed Chris Leak (Florida) and Joe Cox (Georgia) in Independence’s streak of passers with more than 3,000 yards in a season, dating back to 1999.

Ted Ginn, Sr., Glenville (Cleveland): The last two summers, Ginn has taken a tour bus full of top college prospects on a two-week trip visiting more than a dozen D-I universities across the Midwest. While on campus, the players perform individual workouts and even take the ACT test along the way. Ginn has built a program that is churning out multiple Big Ten-caliber recruits each season, including his son, Ted Ginn, Jr.

Randy McPherson, Lowndes (Valdosta, GA): On the list for the second consecutive year, McPherson has won three state titles this decade – including back-to-back 5A crowns at Lowndes. In 2000, McPherson led Madison County (Madison, FL) to a 2A title. McPherson, 45, is 155-17 in 10 seasons as a head coach.

NFL

Marvin Lewis, Head Coach, Cincinnati Bengals: Lewis, 47, has turned the tide for the Bengals in his three seasons on the job, leading the team to a record of 27-22. In the three years prior to Lewis’ arrival, Cincinnati went 12-36. The Bengals made the playoffs last year for the first time since 1990 with a record of 11-5.

Ron Rivera, Defensive Coordinator, Chicago Bears: Rivera, 44, has been a huge success in his two seasons in this job. The Bears earned the NFL’s No. 2 ranking in total defense last year (281.8 yards per game), while allowing the fewest points in the league (12.6 points per game). Rivera’s aggressive philosophy has increased turnovers and sacks. During his tenure, the Bears lead the NFC in touchdowns allowed, giving up only 51.

Art Shell, Head Coach, Oakland Raiders: Shell, 59, returned to the Raiders in February, after leading them to a 54-38 record in 1989-94. In 1990, Shell’s first full season at the helm, the Raiders advanced to the AFC Championship game. In 1991, he was named Coach of the Year. Shell was the first African-American head coach in the NFL. After he left the Raiders, Shell coached in Kansas City and Atlanta. For the past five years, he worked as the NFL’s senior vice president for football operations and development.

Sean Payton, Head Coach, New Orleans Saints: Payton, 42, begins the first head-coaching job of his career at New Orleans this season. He had a distinguished 18-year career as an assistant coach both in the NFL and the college ranks. In past jobs, Payton earned a reputation for instilling discipline and energy and leading prolific offenses. For the last three years, he coached under Bill Parcells at Dallas.

Brad Childress, Head Coach, Minnesota Vikings: The 50-year-old Childress also is taking on his first head-coaching job this season. The opportunity comes after a highly successful 28-year career as an assistant coach in the NFL and at several colleges. For the last seven years he helped coach the Philadelphia Eagles, the last four as offensive coordinator. The Eagles offense excelled under Childress by limiting turnovers. The 2003 team led the NFC and set a team record with 22 turnovers and then matched that figure in 2004 when it advanced to the Super Bowl.

Greg Knapp, Offensive Coordinator, Atlanta Falcons: Knapp, 43, enters his third year on the job with some impressive results. Last year, the team placed sixth in the NFC for total offense, despite missing out on the playoffs. In 2004 under Knapp, the running game really prospered, racking up a team record 2,672 yards, the third highest total in the NFL since 1990.

Tom Moore, Offensive Coordinator, Indianapolis Colts: With 43 years of experience, including 29 in the NFL, there’s not too much about football that this man doesn’t know. Moore, 67, has been with the Colts since 1998. Under him, the Colts offense has gained more than 5,000 yards in eight straight seasons. Indianapolis set a team record of 429 points in 2000, then broke the mark in 2003 (with 447 points) and again in 2004 (with 522).

Scott Linehan, Head Coach, St. Louis Rams: Linehan, 42, takes on his first head coaching assignment after 17 years as an assistant coach, four of them in the NFL. Last year he was offensive coordinator for the Dolphins, who placed 14th in the NFL for total offense, a marked improvement over 29th a year earlier.

Mark Whipple, Quarterbacks Coach, Pittsburgh Steelers: Whipple, 49, has been instrumental in the development of Ben Roethlisberger. The two started their careers with the Steelers at the same time – in 2004. He came to the Steelers after six years at UMass, where he guided the Minutemen to a Division I-AA championship in 1998, his first year as coach.

Gil Haskell, Offensive Coordinator, Seattle Seahawks: Haskell, 62, started working in this position for his friend Mike Holmgren in the 2000 season. Last season was Haskell’s crowning achievement, as Seattle led the NFL with 28.3 points per game and advanced to the Super Bowl. The offense sent six players to the Pro Bowl, and running back Shaun Alexander was named the league’s MVP.





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