As we head into the Spring Practice season for Division I-FBS schools, this is a good time to check out all the coaching changes that happened in the off-season….and the impact they will have on fantasy football this upcoming fall.

Almost 20% of Division I-FCS schools changed coaches in the off-season, with the biggest moves taking place at Notre Dame (Brian Kelly…from Cincinnati...photo, thanks SI.com), USC (Lane Kiffin…from Tennessee), and Florida State (Jimbo Fisher….already named head coach before Bobby Bowden retired).

Although there were a large number of coaching moves in the off-season, this does not mean there will be a large impact on fantasy football for the 2010 season.  In fact, a number of the moves brought in similar-type coaches and similar-type offenses to coaching-change schools….and….a number of the schools brought in conservative coaches to replace more up-tempo coaches.  Check out our list of the top Coaching Changes in 2010….and their fantasy impact…

1.  BRIAN KELLY – Notre Dame: The biggest story in the post-season also is our coach who should have the most fantasy impact.  Notre Dame still has talent on offense, even with QB Jimmy Clausen and WR Golden Tate leaving…and you can bet Kelly and his staff will upgrade that area real quick.  In his successful stints at Central Michigan and Cincinnati, Kelly immediately brought in an up-tempo offense…..whoever heard of Dan LeFevour and Tony Pike a few seasons ago?

2.  BOBBY HAUCK – UNLV: The new Rebels coach had much success at Montana, leading the Grizzlies to what seemed to be a FCS Championship game appearance every season.  He replaces Mike Sanford, who was unable to win or move the football with a decent UNLV squad.  Hauck brought talent and a balanced offense to Missoula, MT, and should be able to do the same in Las Vegas.

3.  MIKE LONDON – Virginia: Another good FCS coach like Hauck….London spent two seasons at Richmond as head coach, winning the FCS title in 2008.  London was the former offensive coordinator at UVa under Al Groh…and now returns to the program as head coach.  The Wahoos need a boost on offense, and London possibly could provide that as a head man.

4.  SONNY DYKES – Louisiana Tech: A late off-season hire, as Dykes was brought in to replace Derek Dooley, who left for Tennessee.  Dykes was the former offensive coordinator at Arizona, and, at times, had the Wildcat offense as one of the most productive ones in the Pac 10.  A more wide-open offense should be forthcoming in Ruston under Dykes….which should fit in quite nicely with the other potent offenses in the WAC.

5.  DOC HOLLIDAY – Marshall: Former West Virginia assistant head coach moves across state….hopes to add firepower to an inconsistent Thundering Herd program (of recent years)….and to shoot down some CUSA foes.  Marshall hopes Holliday can add some more W’s and offense, like the Herd fans saw in the 90′s and early 00′s

6.  CHARLIE STRONG – Louisville: Great hire for a program that is just a few years removed from playing in BCS bowl games.  Strong will definitely upgrade the Louisville defense….and Cardinals fans, boosters, fantasy players, etc….hope that Strong can bring some of that offense he was exposed to at Florida (former Gator defensive coordinator).

7.  JEFF QUINN – Buffalo: Quinn had the unusual task of being the interim head coach for Brian Kelly after he left Central Michigan, and, after Kelly left Cincinnati.  Quinn has been surrounded by up-tempo offenses, and, expect the same at Buffalo (although former head coach Turner Gill, now at Kansas, produced some top offensive talent while at UatB).

8.  RUFFIN McNEAL – East Carolina: Former Texas Tech assistant got sandwiched in the Mike Leach blowout at Texas Tech….but served himself well in leading the Red Raiders to victory in the Alamo Bowl as TT interim head coach.  Here is hoping McNeal can bring some of the Tech offense show with him to Greenville.

9.  BUTCH JONES – Cincinnati: Jones, who followed Brian Kelly in the Central Michigan job a few years ago…..followed Kelly at Cincinnati when the former Bearcat coach headed for South Bend.  At least with Jones, you should see similar offensive production at UC, just as you did with Kelly at the helm

10. JOKER PHILLIPS – Kentucky: The former offensive coordinator was named the Wildcats head coach a couple of years ago as Rich Brooks planned his retirement after the 2009 season.  Now that Phillips runs the whole show…will the UK offense open up some more?

Other coaching hires of note:

Ron Ianello – Akron: Former Charlie Weis assistant at Notre Dame…will .500 be enough for a program with a brand new on-campus stadium?

Dan Enos – Central Michigan: Former college QB must live without Dan LeFevour, who was the Chips version of Tim Tebow…only with a better arm.

Jimbo Fisher – Florida State: Former offensive coordinator, heir to Bobby Bowden….and will be the most-scrutinized new HC in 2010.

Turner Gill – Kansas: Great hire for the Jayhawks…but for fantasy people…the KU offense was already pretty good.   Gill won at Buffalo….which should have won him a Nobel Prize or a Medal of Honor.

Todd Berry – Louisiana-Monroe: You know things are getting serious in Northeast Louisiana….previous coach Charlie Weatherbee was let go after a 6-6 season.

Larry Porter – Memphis: Porter was formerly LSU’s RB coach….and I bet he is hoping that DeAngelo Williams has some eligibility left….

Mike McIntyre – San Jose State: Former NFL and Duke assistant takes over one of the least-supported programs in college football.

Derek Dooley – Tennessee: Least envious position of any of the new HCs, especially after Lane Kiffin bolted for Tennessee.  Of course, if Dooley starts winning…Vols fans would be ever grateful.

Tommy Tuberville – Texas Tech: Former Auburn head coach may be the only one to contain the Red Raiders point-a-minute offense of the past few seasons.

Lane Kiffin – USC: Will spend first season on campus ducking the NCAA, and, Tennessee fans…

Skip Holtz – South Florida: Great hire for USF after the Jim Leavitt blow-out.  Though, Holtz is the only person to have held Tennessee Titans RB Chris Johnson to 1000 yards rushing in a season….

Willie Taggert – Western Kentucky: Former Hilltopper player was last at Stanford as RB coach….could not bring Toby Gerhart in as a package deal.

Related posts:

1. 2008 NCAA Coaching Changes – The Fantasy Impact
2. 2009 COACHING CHANGES…The Fantasy Impact
3. Impact freshmen for 2010 fantasy college football
4. Coordinator Carousel: Big Ten Coaching Changes
5. Coordinator Carousel: Conference USA Coaching Changes

Tags: Coaching Changes, Florida, Lane Kiffin, Notre Dame, Turner Gill, USC