2009 COACHING CHANGES…The Fantasy Impact
February 15th, 2009 by Daniel Freer
Every year, we present our Fantasy College Blitz coaching changes for the upcoming season…and their potential impact on the fantasy world.
Although the 2009 class of new coaches does not have one real “standout” that can change the fantasy fortunes of a program overnight, it does have a few that should offer some positive impact for 2009.
Curious to know where new Tennessee head coach Lane Kiffin (photo, thanks IconSMI) lands on this list? Are you wondering which non-BCS program made the best (fantasy) hire? Still scratching your head over “why did they hire that loser”?
Then, sit back and take a look at where we rate the new coach hires…from the fantasy persepective. (NOTE: Our rankings are based solely on the fantasy impact of the new hires, not on their win-loss potential. We look at how a program’s production can/will be improved, or, a good offense that will remain good under a new coach.)
1. DAVE CHRISTENSEN – Wyoming: The former Missouri offensive coordinator takes over a Cowboy program that could use some offensive production immediately. Although the Cowboys lose their two best offensive threats in RBs Devin Moore and Wynel Seldon, look for some quick improvement…as Christensen should open up the Wyoming offense greatly with more passing and timely running. However, I will miss former Wyoming coach Joe Glenn, the czar of quirky coaches shows and middle fingers.
2. STEVE SARKISIAN – Washington: Drop him some spots if QB Jake Locker moves to another position or leaves the program. Sarkisian spent the past few seasons as USC’s offensive coordinator, and, managed to get good production out of now-overrated Trojan QBs. At HuskyWorld, he gets the West Coast version of Tim Tebow in Locker…but a supporting cast that combined to win zero games in 2008. Definitely, the UW offense will improve under Sarkisian.
3. DAN MULLEN – Mississippi State: Your offense stinks…so you go hire someone who knows offense. Mullen, the former Florida offensive coordinator, knows offense. Expect some immediate improvement in the Bulldogs offense….this is a school that has not moved the ball since its 1941 (and only) SEC championship team, headlined by late country-funnyman Jerry Clower. If Mullen could just get the MSU School of Agriculture people to clone Tim Tebow…
4. GENE CHIZIK – Auburn: Chizik would not be on this list if it was not for the hiring of Gus Malzahn as his OC. Malzahn, the “Godfather of the Wildcat” offense, has had an impact on football during his short stays at Arkansas and Tulsa. The Ole Miss-Auburn meetings should be very interesting…
5. BRADY HOKE – San Diego State: Hoke built the Ball State program into an offensive force, and will try to do the same for a program that has languished on the bottom of the Mountain West Conference. If Hoke could just keep the SoCal kids from leaving…especially the skill-position talent…
6. STAN PARRISH – Ball State: Promoted from OC after Hoke left for San Diego State. Parrish should keep the Cardinals offense rolling, even though they will lose some key talent from 2008. However, most coaches would love to build an offense around RB MiQuale Lewis
7. LANE KIFFIN – Tennessee: If peeing-off your SEC coaching counterparts was considered, Kiffin would be “#1 with a bullet” on this list. Kiffin had a rough run as the Oakland Raiders head coach….but who has not? Once Kiffin gets over the post-traumatic stress of working under Al Davis, look for the Vols offense to improve.
8. RICH ELLERSON – Army: Former Cal-Poly coach moves up to the next level, taking over the Black Knights program. Once he gets over the shock of having less talent at West Point than he did in San Luis Obispo, Ellerson will make Army more productive.
9. DANNY HOPE – Purdue: Named before former head coach Joe Tiller announced his retirement, Hope should re-kindle some fire in a Boilermaker offense that lagged at times last season. It helps that Hope is already familiar with the program.
10. DOUG MARRONE – Syracuse: Former New Orleans Saints OC takes over a program with little offense, and a lot of rebuilding to do. Marrone ran one of the best offenses in the NFL the past few seasons, and it the Orange should see some improvment, soon.
Other Coaching Changes To Note:
FRANK SPAZIANI – Boston College: Replaces former BC head man Jeff Jagodzinksi, who got canned for looking at other jobs. At least Spaziani is a little easier to spell….
DAVE CLAWSON – Bowling Green: The Good: Clawson was the former OC at Tennessee. The Bad: Clawson was the former OC at Tennessee.
DABO SWINNEY – Clemson: Former interim coach at Clemson, now the full-time head coach. Your offense should never struggle when you had James Davis and C.J. Spiller in the backfield.
RON ENGLISH – Eastern Michigan: Previously OC at Michigan and Louisville, but was not allowed to bring those players with him.
PAUL RHODES – Iowa State: Did not escape from Ames when Gene Chizik did. Poor guy.
BILL SNYDER – Kansas State: The man who built Wildcat football…but, usually, when successful coaches at a program leave, then, return, it does not turn out good on the return (ask John Robinson, Johnny Majors)
MIKE HAYWOOD – Miami (Ohio): Former Notre Dame OC will need to perk up a sluggish Miami offense. Good enough reason to leave South Bend...
MIKE LOCKSLEY – New Mexico: Former Illinois OC had some success with the Illini, but Juice Williams is not transferring…
DeWAYNE WALKER – New Mexico State: UCLA defensive coordinator sure to move away from the old “Air-Raid” offense under Hal Mumme
TIM BECKMAN – Toledo: Good fantasy news: Beckman was a former coordinator at Oklahoma State. Bad fantasy news: He was the defensive coordinator
GARY ANDERSON – Utah State: Former Utah assistant will go from the #2 ranked program last season, to a program that just ranks…
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