CBS Sports has released its Year 2 coaching grades for the 2024 college football hiring cycle, evaluating 25 second-year head coaches across Power Four and Group of Six conferences. Only five Power Four jobs changed hands in a cycle marked by program reluctance to fire hot-seat coaches. The grades highlight standout performers and early struggles.
Power Four Standouts
Jake Dickert at Wake Forest earned the highest mark, an A+, after guiding the Demon Deacons to a 15-5 record and a No. 14 AP Top 25 ranking at one of the least-resourced Power Four programs. Dickert's team has won its last three games by an average of 37.3 points per game, with a crucial road game at No. 19 SMU on Nov. 14 potentially deciding an ACC title game berth.
Bill Belichick received a B at North Carolina following a rocky 4-8 debut season. The Tar Heels have since built a competitive roster and sit 4-3, with two ACC losses by a combined nine points. Despite off-field issues sidelining defensive coordinator Steve Belichick and general manager Michael Lombardi, the program shows promise with one of the youngest rosters nationally.
Scott Frost earned a B at UCF after a slow start; the Knights upset No. 2 BYU and have five straight games against unranked opponents to close the season. Barry Odom received a C+ at Purdue, where the Boilermakers have been competitive in close losses to Wake Forest and UCLA. Rich Rodriguez got a B at West Virginia, where the Mountaineers lead the Power Four in rushing offense (261+ yards per game, 26 rushing touchdowns) but need a win over Kansas to reach a bowl game.
Group of Six Highlights
In the American Athletic Conference, Tim Albin received an F at Charlotte (2-17), while Zach Kittley earned a B at FAU (4-2 start). Scott Abell (Rice) and K.C. Keeler (Temple) each got a C+, and Tre Lamb received a B+ at Tulsa.
Conference USA saw strong grades: Willie Simmons (FIU) and Charles Kelly (Jacksonville State) both earned B+ and A respectively, while Jerry Mack received an A at Kennesaw State despite roster turnover. Phil Longo was fired at Sam Houston after a 3-17 record, earning an F.
In the MAC, Mark Carney earned an A at Kent State after turning around one of the sport's toughest jobs, while Joe Harasymiak got a B+ at UMass. Eddie George (Bowling Green) and Mike Uremovich (Ball State) each received a C, and Matt Drinkall earned a B at Central Michigan.
Mountain West standouts include Jason Eck with an A+ at New Mexico (15-5 over two seasons, elite defense) and Dan Mullen with a B at UNLV. In the Pac-12, Matt Entz earned a B+ at Fresno State (13-7 in two years), while Bronco Mendenhall received a C at Utah State (2-5). Sun Belt grades: Dowell Loggains B at Appalachian State (5-2 after overtime upset of James Madison), Tony Gibson C at Marshall.
