You Get A Year, But … Win Now

These head coaches will catch a break if they don’t get to the College Football Playoff right away.- for this year. They get one season, and then WIN, WIN, WIN.

Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M

– Texas A&M Preview

Top Lines of the Resumé: Head coach at Florida State from 2010 to 2017, going 83-23 with three ACC Championships and a national title.

– Offensive coordinator at LSU from 2000 to 2006.

– FSU from 2007 to 2009.

Realistic Expectations In Year One: Nine wins, a second place finish in the SEC West, and a giant victory over either Clemson or Alabama. Make it seem like the program is headed on a national championship track.

Realistic Expectations Over Next Five Years: Five bowl appearances, at least two SEC West titles, one SEC championship, and one College Football Playoff appearance. And beat Alabama at least twice.

Chip Kelly, UCLA

– UCLA Preview

Top Lines of the Resumé: Head coach for the Philadelphia Eagles from 2013 to 2015.

– Head coach at Oregon from 2009 to 2012, went 46-7 with three Pac-12 championships and a trip to the BCS Championship.

– Head coach for the San Francisco 49ers in 2016.

Realistic Expectations In Year One: Seven wins, a decent bowl appearance, and hope for the Chip Kelly college coaching magic to look like it’s about to kick in come 2019. And beat USC, too.

Realistic Expectations Over Next Five Years: Five bowl appearances, at least two Pac-12 South titles, at least two Pac-12 championships, at least one College Football Playoff appearance. At least three wins over USC have to be baked into the cake.

Jeremy Pruitt, Tennessee

– Tennessee Preview

Top Lines of the Resumé: Alabama defensive coordinator from 2016 to 2017.

– Georgia defensive coordinator from 2014 to 2015.

– Florida State defensive coordinator in 2013.

Realistic Expectations In Year One: Seven wins and a bowl appearance. At least split with Florida and Georgia, and show Alabama that Tennessee isn’t going to be an annual free-space win anymore. Showcase a devastating defense as the year goes on.

Realistic Expectations Over Next Five Years: Five bowl games, three wins over Florida, two wins over Georgia, one win over Alabama. At least one SEC championship and one College Football Playoff appearance.

Kevin Sumlin, Arizona

– Arizona Preview

Top Lines of the Resumé: Head coach at Texas A&M from 2012 to 2017, went 51-26.

– Head coach at Houston from 2006 to 2011, went 35-17 with two Conference USA championships.

Realistic Expectations In Year One: Nine wins and – at worst – second in the Pac-12 South. Beat Arizona State, get Khalil Tate in the Heisman race, and make it look like the program is on the verge of annual greatness.

Realistic Expectations Over Next Five Years: Five bowl appearances, two Pac-12 South championships, one Pac-12 title. Four wins over Arizona State are a must.

NEXT: Win Now … Or Else