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Defense Wins Championships
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Writeups by Richard Cirminiello
Best Coach – Ralph Friedgen, Maryland – Based solely on the 2004 season, Virginia Tech’s Frank Beamer runs away and hides in this category. Based on the past five years, however, and it’s the Fridge by the width of a celery stalk. Since returning to his alma mater, Friedgen has inspired a program that had losing seasons in 12 of the 14 years before he arrived. Since 2001, the Terps have won 10 or more games three times, and are attracting the kind of NFL-caliber talent that rarely visited College Park in the past.
Most Underrated – Tom O’Brien, Boston College – He’s understated, even-keeled and as consistent as a sunset, so it figures few people really appreciate what O’Brien has accomplished in Chestnut Hill. He lacks pizzazz and witty sound bites, but his kids are always well coached and rarely short on character. In each of the last five seasons, O’Brien’s Eagles have won at least seven games, including a bowl victory.
Most Overrated – Al Groh, Virginia – If the Cavs don’t contend for an ACC crown real soon, Groh runs the risk of being labeled Mack Brown light. Since leaving the NFL, he’s assembled some amazing recruiting classes and run the program like a CEO, but has yet to play a game past Dec. 28. Virginia had as much talent as their league peers in 2004, yet folded whenever they played a meaningful game. Clemson’s Tommy Bowden is way overrated, and still living off one strong finish at the end of 2003
Coach on the Hot Seat – Larry Coker, Miami – Since losing the 2003 Fiesta Bowl to Ohio State, the ‘Canes have shown just a hint of vulnerability, making this an important season for Coker. With another three-loss year, you can just see the nay Sayers lining up against him. When Miami had enough studs to fill an NFL roster in 2001 and 2002, he managed them exceptionally well. However, as the talent has thinned a bit since, his shortcomings have been easier to recognize.
Bucking for a Promotion – Jim Grobe, Wake Forest – Because of where he’s employed, Grobe will never get the credit he deserves as a head coach. After taking Ohio to respectability, he’s done the same for a Demon Deacon program that almost never gets blown out, and was a mess before he came on board. Grobe’s misdirection offense drives the opposition batty, and allows Wake to compete even when they suffer from a gap in talent.
Best Offensive Coordinator – Marc Trestman, NC State – A robust NFL resume, coupled with extremely light competition in the ACC, pushes Trestman to the top just two months after accepting the job. During his 17-year NFL career, he coordinated offenses in two conference championship games and a Super Bowl, and learned from some of the biggest names in the profession.
Best Defensive Coordinator – Bud Foster, Virginia Tech – Foster’s defenses have lately been prone to leaks in the second half of the season, but recovered with a wire-to-wire effort last year. In ten seasons in Blacksburg, the two-time Broyles Award finalist has molded some outstanding units, and sent dozens of kids to the NFL. Miami’s Randy Shannon, Florida State’s Mickey Andrews, Virginia’s Al Golden and Georgia Tech’s Jon Tenuta help give the league a tremendous collection of defensive teachers.
Best Off-season Hire – Rob Spence, Clemson – Tommy Bowden was looking for an innovative offensive mind, who’s had success tutoring quarterbacks, and got both in Spence. In four seasons as Toledo’s offensive coordinator, his offenses were balanced and combustible, despite being piloted by a different quarterback in three of those years. If Spence can restore the quarterback’s confidence, Charlie Whitehurst could be in for a rebound year.
Worst Off-season Loss – Reggie Herring, NC State – In his only season in Raleigh, Herring used a blitz-based package to help turn the Pack into one of the most disruptive defenses in the country. With their new coordinator in charge, NC State went from 89th in total defense in 2003 to No. 1 last year. Herring was hired last December to replace Dave Wommack as Arkansas’ defensive coordinator.
http://collegefootballnews.com/2005/Spring_Preview/CoachRankings_ACC.htm
Best Coach – Ralph Friedgen, Maryland – Based solely on the 2004 season, Virginia Tech’s Frank Beamer runs away and hides in this category. Based on the past five years, however, and it’s the Fridge by the width of a celery stalk. Since returning to his alma mater, Friedgen has inspired a program that had losing seasons in 12 of the 14 years before he arrived. Since 2001, the Terps have won 10 or more games three times, and are attracting the kind of NFL-caliber talent that rarely visited College Park in the past.
Most Underrated – Tom O’Brien, Boston College – He’s understated, even-keeled and as consistent as a sunset, so it figures few people really appreciate what O’Brien has accomplished in Chestnut Hill. He lacks pizzazz and witty sound bites, but his kids are always well coached and rarely short on character. In each of the last five seasons, O’Brien’s Eagles have won at least seven games, including a bowl victory.
Most Overrated – Al Groh, Virginia – If the Cavs don’t contend for an ACC crown real soon, Groh runs the risk of being labeled Mack Brown light. Since leaving the NFL, he’s assembled some amazing recruiting classes and run the program like a CEO, but has yet to play a game past Dec. 28. Virginia had as much talent as their league peers in 2004, yet folded whenever they played a meaningful game. Clemson’s Tommy Bowden is way overrated, and still living off one strong finish at the end of 2003
Coach on the Hot Seat – Larry Coker, Miami – Since losing the 2003 Fiesta Bowl to Ohio State, the ‘Canes have shown just a hint of vulnerability, making this an important season for Coker. With another three-loss year, you can just see the nay Sayers lining up against him. When Miami had enough studs to fill an NFL roster in 2001 and 2002, he managed them exceptionally well. However, as the talent has thinned a bit since, his shortcomings have been easier to recognize.
Bucking for a Promotion – Jim Grobe, Wake Forest – Because of where he’s employed, Grobe will never get the credit he deserves as a head coach. After taking Ohio to respectability, he’s done the same for a Demon Deacon program that almost never gets blown out, and was a mess before he came on board. Grobe’s misdirection offense drives the opposition batty, and allows Wake to compete even when they suffer from a gap in talent.
Best Offensive Coordinator – Marc Trestman, NC State – A robust NFL resume, coupled with extremely light competition in the ACC, pushes Trestman to the top just two months after accepting the job. During his 17-year NFL career, he coordinated offenses in two conference championship games and a Super Bowl, and learned from some of the biggest names in the profession.
Best Defensive Coordinator – Bud Foster, Virginia Tech – Foster’s defenses have lately been prone to leaks in the second half of the season, but recovered with a wire-to-wire effort last year. In ten seasons in Blacksburg, the two-time Broyles Award finalist has molded some outstanding units, and sent dozens of kids to the NFL. Miami’s Randy Shannon, Florida State’s Mickey Andrews, Virginia’s Al Golden and Georgia Tech’s Jon Tenuta help give the league a tremendous collection of defensive teachers.
Best Off-season Hire – Rob Spence, Clemson – Tommy Bowden was looking for an innovative offensive mind, who’s had success tutoring quarterbacks, and got both in Spence. In four seasons as Toledo’s offensive coordinator, his offenses were balanced and combustible, despite being piloted by a different quarterback in three of those years. If Spence can restore the quarterback’s confidence, Charlie Whitehurst could be in for a rebound year.
Worst Off-season Loss – Reggie Herring, NC State – In his only season in Raleigh, Herring used a blitz-based package to help turn the Pack into one of the most disruptive defenses in the country. With their new coordinator in charge, NC State went from 89th in total defense in 2003 to No. 1 last year. Herring was hired last December to replace Dave Wommack as Arkansas’ defensive coordinator.
http://collegefootballnews.com/2005/Spring_Preview/CoachRankings_ACC.htm