At least one agent inquired in recent days whether 247Sports would piggyback off the Power 5 job rankings with a separate entry for Group of 5 programs.

Ask, and ye shall receive.

In fact, the first five Group of 5 schools below would rank inside the overall top 65 best college football jobs.

It’s not altogether surprising to see that the American conference comprises much of the top 10, though tradition and prestige are assets for some of the non-AAC inclusions.



1. Houston

The administration bumping then-coach Tom Herman to $3 million for the 2016 season launched UH into the middle of Power 5-level pay. According to USA Today, that was better than nearly 30 Power 5 jobs.

Herman’s successor, Major Applewhite, isn’t making anywhere near that figure, but the attempt to keep Herman in place demonstrated what’s available for the right candidate.

Board chairman and influential donor Tilman Fertitta — of restaurant, casino and reality TV fame — is central to both making that decision and helping to fund it.

Partly to woo the Big 12, which has yet to work, Fertitta and Houston’s donor base has also shown enthusiasm for project development.

When 247Sports spoke recently to Applewhite, he was excited by progress toward a new indoor facility. When that’s complete, Houston then intends to add a football office complex as part of the relatively new TDECU Stadium compound.

And regardless how competitive Texas high school recruiting is, proximity to talent still greatly benefits Houston relative to many of its Group of 5 peers.

Fans are weary of seeing coaches leave so quickly for bigger jobs, but it’s actually a compliment to the program.



2. UCF

Granted, the edge between the two Florida-based American schools is slight — but UCF does have it over USF.

The on-campus stadium is a certain advantage, as well as not having to compete for NFL eyeballs.

Pay is inching toward $2 million for Scott Frost, which is above average relative to the tier.

There’s the obvious recruiting advantage for the Florida-based schools, especially considering the admission standard isn’t as high as their Power 5 brethren.

Many coaches do not think the program under George O’Leary touched its ceiling, even with a Fiesta Bowl win against Baylor late in his tenure.



3. USF

As the success of Jim Leavitt and Willie Taggart indicate, it’s a job where it’s possible to win and win relatively big. That’s always of value to coaches.

In fact, some industry sources think it’s rather unfortunate that the program — which was at one point under Leavitt in the top 5 in the polls — was left behind when the Power 5 tier materialized.

“It was close to being a national power,” one agent told us, “and now it doesn’t have a seat at the table anymore.”

The consolation prize is the ability become a giant among mid-majors. Given the roster he’s inheriting, some coaches in the AAC believe Charlie Strong will elevate USF to a new plateau in its Group of 5 era.

If that happens, perhaps the school’s leadership can advance conversations about an on-campus stadium.



4. Cincinnati

Cincinnati is perhaps the most well balanced Group of 5 program, which is probably why it’s talked about most frequently whenever Big 12 expansion buzz surfaces. It has rare brand value among mid-majors: Cincinnati has more in common with Louisville, Pitt and West Virginia — schools that climbed to Power 5 status — than Houston and UCF.

Despite a relative lack of head coaching experience, new coach Luke Fickell will reportedly earn in the same neighborhood, a little more than $2 million per year, as Tommy Tuberville did.

The facilities are not spectacular, though historic Nippert Stadium is seeing some modest renovations. Tradition is better at UC than most at this level, with Brian Kelly and Butch Jones recently cutting their teeth at the school.



5. Boise State

Boise has become Group of 5 royalty in in the past decade, trumpeting a ridiculous 123-21 record since 2006. That includes three Fiesta Bowl appearances (all wins) and regular-season victories against Georgia, Virginia Tech and Oregon.

A $22 million football facility was erected in 2013, and Albertson’s Stadium has seen repeated improvements. Understanding the value of the visibility in the past decade, internal support for success is extremely high.



6. BYU

There are plenty of hurdles here, many of them pertaining to the religious rulebook that impact recruits, current players and coaches. (Our disclaimer on that: It’s the school’s right to legislate however it wants; but it does separate it from how other football programs function.)

But it’s clear that history and fan passion - and a national following - is what makes this a higher-end Group of 5 job.



7. Memphis

Mike Norvell reaped the benefits of Justin Fuente’s program-building labor. Also include AD Tom Bowen and the school’s leadership in the progress that has quickly elevated this job among its Group of 5 peers.

Plans to construct a football complex have moved along slower than expected, but enough progress is being made that it feels safe saying that the program is still on the way up.



8. SMU

Given its location in the heart of Dallas and relatively deep pockets, this program has serious upward potential. But do those deep pockets care enough to give generously to football? And will a tug-of-war between the school’s academic and athletic leadership continue?



9. Colorado State

Pumping $240 million into a stadium renovation alone gets CSU on the list. The facility, which opens for play this fall, appears to be the finest of any among this top 10. It also includes adjacent academic and support space. Isolation from talent is still a drawback, but the facilities will greatly help.



10. Temple

Al Golden, Steve Addazio and Matt Rhule have also had success at the school, which boasts quality access to in-state and New Jersey recruits. In perception, it takes on a bit of the Philly sports “edge.” It also shares a stadium — and city — with the Eagles, which agents say is both a good and bad thing.



Next, next five: Western Michigan, Fresno State, UConn, FAU, Navy,