The Pac-12 has had some recent big-time hires at their premier programs including, Chip Kelly at UCLA and Dan Lanning at Oregon. No hire caused a bigger splash than USC’s shocker bringing Lincoln Riley from Oklahoma.
A few years from now Lincoln Riley will likely still be the head coach at USC, but part of the move to the Big Ten Conference. Will other head coaches in the Pac-12 look elsewhere as the conference struggles to stay relevant?
As we kickoff the 2022 season, let’s take a look at the ranking of head coaches in the Pac-12. Also, check out our Pac-12 Hot Seat Report.
BOTTOM FEEDERS
12. Jedd Fisch – Arizona
Fisch had a rough start in 2021 at 1-11. It’s hard to see signs of hope.
AVERAGE JOE
11. Jake Dickert – Washington State
Dickert took over a tough situation at Washington State after Nick Rolovich’s firing.
10. Dan Lanning – Oregon
Lanning was hired to bring the Georgia recipe to Oregon. That’s a big ask.
9. Karl Dorrell – Colorado
Dorrell’s seat is getting hotter, but his overall head coaching record is not bad at 43-38.
8. Herm Edwards – Arizona State
The record for Edwards at Arizona State is respectable. But, the off-the-field issues have been a disaster under his leadership.
7. Jonathan Smith – Oregon State
Smith seems to have Oregon State on a steady upward trajectory.
6. Justin Wilcox – California
Cal is not an easy place to coach, but Wilcox has his team’s competitive on a yearly basis.
5. Chip Kelly – UCLA
Hafley’s record at Boston College isn’t great, but you can see what he is building there.
4. Kalen DeBoer – Washington
DeBoer is already one of the best coaches in the conference. He might be a candidate to leave for a job in a superior conference.
SECOND TIER
3. David Shaw – Stanford
Shaw’s star has faded in recent years, but his record at Stanford going into the 2022 season is an impressive 93-45.
TOP TIER
2. Lincoln Riley – USC
What he accomplished at Oklahoma was impressive. The future looks bright for Riley and USC, but can Riley elevate USC to the level of Georgia and Alabama?
1. Kyle Whittingham – Utah
If we ever roll out a list of underrated coaches in college football, Whittingham may top the list.
