From a USF publication...
greengoldandbold.com
Temple Owls
New coach: K.C. Keeler from Sam Houston State
Outlook: The Owls have finished with 3-9 records in each of the last four seasons, but Keeler could be the home-run hire that gets them moving in the right direction. He won FCS national titles at Delaware and Sam Houston State. In xx years as a head coach, Keeler is 271-112-1. The cupboard may be bare at Temple, but it probably won’t be for long. Give Temple an “A” for this hire.
Charlotte 49ers
New coach: Tim Albin from Ohio University
Outlook: The administration at Charlotte hasn’t shown that it knows what it’s doing, but that could changing with Albin taking over after the failed Biff Poggi experiment. Albin has only been a head coach for three years (all at Ohio U) but he guided the Bobcats to 10 wins in each season. It may take a season or two, but it looks like Charlotte has its man. Give the school an “A” for this move.
Rice Owls
New coach: Scott Abell from Davidson
Outlook: Rice was feisty at times under previous coach Mike Bloomgren but not consistent. USF can testify to the feisty part; the Owls upset the Bulls in the final game of the 2024 regular season under interim coach Pete Alamar. Abell comes to Rice after three straight trips to the FCS playoffs. Davidson only had seven wins or more four times since 1970 before Abell arrived in 2018. He accomplished that four times in his first six seasons. Fun fact: Abell fancies the triple option and his teams consistently led FCS programs in rushing. Give the Owls an “A-“ minus for this one.
East Carolina Pirates
New coach: Blake Harrell
Outlook: Harrell forced the school’s hand after winning five of six games after taking over as the interim head coach when Mike Houston was fired. The run included a 26-21 win over North Carolina State in the Military Bowl. One caveat: three of the wins were against Temple, Florida Atlantic, and Tulsa, so it wasn’t exactly murderers row. Still, never apologize for wins and give East Carolina a solid “B” for this move.
Tulsa Golden Hurricane
New coach: Tre Lamb from East Tennessee State
Outlook: Tulsa was kind enough to give former coach Kevin Wilson a ride home from Tampa after Bulls ripped the Golden Hurricane 63-30 (it wasn’t that close). Wilson was on his own upon arrival, joining the fired football coaches club. Lamb did good work at Gardner-Webb before going to ETSU, where he stayed only one season and went 7-5. He must have been impressive in the interviews. Give this one a “C”.
Florida Atlantic Owls
New coach: Zach Kittley from Texas Tech, where he was the offensive coordinator
Outlook: The Tom Herman era ended with a splat as the former Texas and Houston coach went 6-16 in less than two seasons in Boca Raton. There is a lot of work to do at FAU and this is another situation that looks like a multi-year rebuild. Kittley, 33, is the youngest FBS head coach but this looks like a job that could age him rapidly. His offenses weren’t overwhelming at Texas Tech, so let’s call this one a reach and give FAU a “D” for this hire.
With six new head football coaches in the AAC, let's see who did well and who didn't
For USF to improve its chances of moving to a power conference, the Bulls must first show they can at least compete for a championship in the American Athletic
greengoldandbold.com
Temple Owls
New coach: K.C. Keeler from Sam Houston State
Outlook: The Owls have finished with 3-9 records in each of the last four seasons, but Keeler could be the home-run hire that gets them moving in the right direction. He won FCS national titles at Delaware and Sam Houston State. In xx years as a head coach, Keeler is 271-112-1. The cupboard may be bare at Temple, but it probably won’t be for long. Give Temple an “A” for this hire.
Charlotte 49ers
New coach: Tim Albin from Ohio University
Outlook: The administration at Charlotte hasn’t shown that it knows what it’s doing, but that could changing with Albin taking over after the failed Biff Poggi experiment. Albin has only been a head coach for three years (all at Ohio U) but he guided the Bobcats to 10 wins in each season. It may take a season or two, but it looks like Charlotte has its man. Give the school an “A” for this move.
Rice Owls
New coach: Scott Abell from Davidson
Outlook: Rice was feisty at times under previous coach Mike Bloomgren but not consistent. USF can testify to the feisty part; the Owls upset the Bulls in the final game of the 2024 regular season under interim coach Pete Alamar. Abell comes to Rice after three straight trips to the FCS playoffs. Davidson only had seven wins or more four times since 1970 before Abell arrived in 2018. He accomplished that four times in his first six seasons. Fun fact: Abell fancies the triple option and his teams consistently led FCS programs in rushing. Give the Owls an “A-“ minus for this one.
East Carolina Pirates
New coach: Blake Harrell
Outlook: Harrell forced the school’s hand after winning five of six games after taking over as the interim head coach when Mike Houston was fired. The run included a 26-21 win over North Carolina State in the Military Bowl. One caveat: three of the wins were against Temple, Florida Atlantic, and Tulsa, so it wasn’t exactly murderers row. Still, never apologize for wins and give East Carolina a solid “B” for this move.
Tulsa Golden Hurricane
New coach: Tre Lamb from East Tennessee State
Outlook: Tulsa was kind enough to give former coach Kevin Wilson a ride home from Tampa after Bulls ripped the Golden Hurricane 63-30 (it wasn’t that close). Wilson was on his own upon arrival, joining the fired football coaches club. Lamb did good work at Gardner-Webb before going to ETSU, where he stayed only one season and went 7-5. He must have been impressive in the interviews. Give this one a “C”.
Florida Atlantic Owls
New coach: Zach Kittley from Texas Tech, where he was the offensive coordinator
Outlook: The Tom Herman era ended with a splat as the former Texas and Houston coach went 6-16 in less than two seasons in Boca Raton. There is a lot of work to do at FAU and this is another situation that looks like a multi-year rebuild. Kittley, 33, is the youngest FBS head coach but this looks like a job that could age him rapidly. His offenses weren’t overwhelming at Texas Tech, so let’s call this one a reach and give FAU a “D” for this hire.
