The Zeitgeist List · coordinators
The Coordinators’ Climb.
Every season he has ever coached , laid end to end on a real calendar axis. Height is where his unit ranked nationally that year. The line breaks when he changes programs and breaks again when he isn’t coordinating anywhere — unemployment becomes part of the story instead of a hole in the data.
430 coordinators have run two or more programs since 2014. 40 climbed from below-average or worse all the way to a strong or elite unit.
A season he coached — higher = better rank
What he inherited — the unit’s rank the year before he arrived
Program & years — one color block per job
Out of a job — not an FBS coordinator that year
Beat or missed expectations — vs. that season’s full roster talent (247/On3-style composite, not just that year’s incoming class)
■ Offense■ Defense
Most elite seasons Biggest climb Most stops
Pete Golding
Defense
5 stints at 3 programs · 10 seasons coached5 seasons ranked in the national top 10%
Marginal impact?
Defense +0.53 #8 of 458 · more than most
100th — best in the country90th — elite — top 10%75th — top quarter50th — national median25th — bottom quarter0 — worst in the countryHis unit’s national rank, by season ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26 out out out UTSA Alabama Ole Miss UTSA ranked 35th percentile nationally the year before he arrived ○ what he walked into that unit’s rank the season before he arrived UTSA 2016: 72th percentile nationally UTSA 2017: 83th percentile nationally Alabama ranked 100th percentile nationally the year before he arrived Alabama 2018: 73th percentile nationally Alabama 2019: 100th percentile nationally Alabama 2020: 99th percentile nationally Alabama 2021: 97th percentile nationally Alabama 2022: 91th percentile nationally Ole Miss ranked 44th percentile nationally the year before he arrived Ole Miss 2023: 41th percentile nationally Ole Miss 2024: 96th percentile nationally Ole Miss 2025: 65th percentile nationally 100th — career best Alabama, 2019 Did more with less? vs. that season’s full roster talent ▲ +38 beat expectations UTSA 2016–2017: beat expectations, +38 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (2 of 2 seasons measured) ▲ +0 beat expectations Alabama 2018–2018: beat expectations, +0 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) ▲ +22 beat expectations Alabama 2019–2022: beat expectations, +22 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (4 of 4 seasons measured) ▼ −19 fell short Ole Miss 2023–2023: fell short, −19 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) ▲ +20 beat expectations Ole Miss 2024–2025: beat expectations, +20 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (2 of 2 seasons measured) Pete Golding, defensive coordinator career, season-by-season national percentile and talent-adjusted margin Program Years Inherited (prior season) Seasons coached Talent-adjusted margin UTSA 2016–2017 35th percentile 2016: 72th percentile; 2017: 83th percentile +38 pts vs. talent (2 of 2 seasons) Alabama 2018–2018 100th percentile 2018: 73th percentile +0 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons) Alabama 2019–2022 73th percentile 2019: 100th percentile; 2020: 99th percentile; 2021: 97th percentile; 2022: 91th percentile +22 pts vs. talent (4 of 4 seasons) Ole Miss 2023–2023 44th percentile 2023: 41th percentile -19 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons) Ole Miss 2024–2025 41th percentile 2024: 96th percentile; 2025: 65th percentile +20 pts vs. talent (2 of 2 seasons)
Mike Denbrock
Offense
4 stints at 3 programs · 10 seasons coached5 seasons ranked in the national top 10%
Marginal impact?
Offense +0.51 #1 of 472 · more than most
100th — best in the country90th — elite — top 10%75th — top quarter50th — national median25th — bottom quarter0 — worst in the countryHis unit’s national rank, by season ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26 out out Cincinnati LSU Notre Dame Notre Dame 2014: 71th percentile nationally Cincinnati ranked 10th percentile nationally the year before he arrived ○ what he walked into that unit’s rank the season before he arrived Cincinnati 2017: 40th percentile nationally Cincinnati 2018: 84th percentile nationally Cincinnati 2019: 59th percentile nationally Cincinnati 2020: 89th percentile nationally Cincinnati 2021: 97th percentile nationally LSU ranked 37th percentile nationally the year before he arrived LSU 2022: 92th percentile nationally LSU 2023: 99th percentile nationally Notre Dame ranked 94th percentile nationally the year before he arrived Notre Dame 2024: 99th percentile nationally Notre Dame 2025: 95th percentile nationally 99th — career best Notre Dame, 2024 ○ no prior-season record for his first stop (Notre Dame, 2014) Did more with less? vs. that season’s full roster talent not measured ▲ +23 beat expectations Cincinnati 2017–2021: beat expectations, +23 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (5 of 5 seasons measured) ▲ +28 beat expectations LSU 2022–2023: beat expectations, +28 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (2 of 2 seasons measured) ▲ +31 beat expectations · 2/3 yrs Notre Dame 2024–2026: beat expectations, +31 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (2 of 3 seasons measured) Mike Denbrock, offensive coordinator career, season-by-season national percentile and talent-adjusted margin Program Years Inherited (prior season) Seasons coached Talent-adjusted margin Notre Dame 2014–2014 no prior-season record 2014: 71th percentile not measured Cincinnati 2017–2021 10th percentile 2017: 40th percentile; 2018: 84th percentile; 2019: 59th percentile; 2020: 89th percentile; 2021: 97th percentile +23 pts vs. talent (5 of 5 seasons) LSU 2022–2023 37th percentile 2022: 92th percentile; 2023: 99th percentile +28 pts vs. talent (2 of 2 seasons) Notre Dame 2024–2026 94th percentile 2024: 99th percentile; 2025: 95th percentile +31 pts vs. talent (2 of 3 seasons)
Charles Kelly
Defense
4 stints at 4 programs · 10 seasons coached5 seasons ranked in the national top 10%
Marginal impact?
Defense +0.03 #190 of 458 · a typical amount
100th — best in the country90th — elite — top 10%75th — top quarter50th — national median25th — bottom quarter0 — worst in the countryHis unit’s national rank, by season ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26 out out out Florida State Alabama Colorado Auburn Florida State 2014: 45th percentile nationally Florida State 2015: 69th percentile nationally Florida State 2016: 90th percentile nationally Florida State 2017: 84th percentile nationally Alabama ranked 73th percentile nationally the year before he arrived ○ what he walked into that unit’s rank the season before he arrived Alabama 2019: 100th percentile nationally Alabama 2020: 99th percentile nationally Alabama 2021: 97th percentile nationally Alabama 2022: 91th percentile nationally Colorado ranked 2th percentile nationally the year before he arrived Colorado 2023: 17th percentile nationally Auburn ranked 69th percentile nationally the year before he arrived Auburn 2024: 82th percentile nationally 100th — career best Alabama, 2019 ○ no prior-season record for his first stop (Florida State, 2014) Did more with less? vs. that season’s full roster talent ▲ +12 beat expectations · 3/4 yrs Florida State 2014–2017: beat expectations, +12 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (3 of 4 seasons measured) ▲ +22 beat expectations Alabama 2019–2022: beat expectations, +22 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (4 of 4 seasons measured) ▼ −40 fell short Colorado 2023–2023: fell short, −40 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) ▲ +21 beat expectations Auburn 2024–2024: beat expectations, +21 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) Charles Kelly, defensive coordinator career, season-by-season national percentile and talent-adjusted margin Program Years Inherited (prior season) Seasons coached Talent-adjusted margin Florida State 2014–2017 no prior-season record 2014: 45th percentile; 2015: 69th percentile; 2016: 90th percentile; 2017: 84th percentile +12 pts vs. talent (3 of 4 seasons) Alabama 2019–2022 73th percentile 2019: 100th percentile; 2020: 99th percentile; 2021: 97th percentile; 2022: 91th percentile +22 pts vs. talent (4 of 4 seasons) Colorado 2023–2023 2th percentile 2023: 17th percentile -40 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons) Auburn 2024–2024 69th percentile 2024: 82th percentile +21 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons)
Anthony Poindexter
Defense
8 stints at 4 programs · 12 seasons coached4 seasons ranked in the national top 10%
Marginal impact?
Defense +0.10 #146 of 458 · a typical amount
100th — best in the country90th — elite — top 10%75th — top quarter50th — national median25th — bottom quarter0 — worst in the countryHis unit’s national rank, by season ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26 UConn Purdue Penn State Tennessee UConn 2014: 44th percentile nationally UConn 2015: 81th percentile nationally UConn 2016: 36th percentile nationally Purdue ranked 9th percentile nationally the year before he arrived ○ what he walked into that unit’s rank the season before he arrived Purdue 2017: 70th percentile nationally Purdue 2018: 13th percentile nationally Purdue 2019: 37th percentile nationally Purdue 2020: 42th percentile nationally Penn State ranked 73th percentile nationally the year before he arrived Penn State 2021: 92th percentile nationally Penn State 2022: 97th percentile nationally Penn State 2023: 98th percentile nationally Penn State 2024: 98th percentile nationally Penn State 2025: 74th percentile nationally just hired — no season coached yet 98th — career best Penn State, 2024 ○ no prior-season record for his first stop (UConn, 2014) Did more with less? vs. that season’s full roster talent ▲ +13 beat expectations · 2/3 yrs UConn 2014–2016: beat expectations, +13 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (2 of 3 seasons measured) ▼ −10 fell short Purdue 2017–2019: fell short, −10 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (3 of 3 seasons measured) ▼ −13 fell short Purdue 2020–2020: fell short, −13 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) ▲ +30 beat expectations Penn State 2021–2021: beat expectations, +30 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) ▲ +34 beat expectations Penn State 2022–2023: beat expectations, +34 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (2 of 2 seasons measured) ▲ +34 beat expectations Penn State 2024–2024: beat expectations, +34 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) ▲ +9 beat expectations Penn State 2025–2025: beat expectations, +9 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) not measured Anthony Poindexter, defensive coordinator career, season-by-season national percentile and talent-adjusted margin Program Years Inherited (prior season) Seasons coached Talent-adjusted margin UConn 2014–2016 no prior-season record 2014: 44th percentile; 2015: 81th percentile; 2016: 36th percentile +13 pts vs. talent (2 of 3 seasons) Purdue 2017–2019 9th percentile 2017: 70th percentile; 2018: 13th percentile; 2019: 37th percentile -10 pts vs. talent (3 of 3 seasons) Purdue 2020–2020 37th percentile 2020: 42th percentile -13 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons) Penn State 2021–2021 73th percentile 2021: 92th percentile +30 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons) Penn State 2022–2023 92th percentile 2022: 97th percentile; 2023: 98th percentile +34 pts vs. talent (2 of 2 seasons) Penn State 2024–2024 98th percentile 2024: 98th percentile +34 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons) Penn State 2025–2025 98th percentile 2025: 74th percentile +9 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons) Tennessee 2026–2026 no prior-season record not yet coached not measured
Andy Kotelnicki
Offense
6 stints at 3 programs · 11 seasons coached4 seasons ranked in the national top 10%
Marginal impact?
Offense +0.21 #19 of 472 · more than most
100th — best in the country90th — elite — top 10%75th — top quarter50th — national median25th — bottom quarter0 — worst in the countryHis unit’s national rank, by season ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26 out out Buffalo Kansas Penn State Buffalo ranked 66th percentile nationally the year before he arrived ○ what he walked into that unit’s rank the season before he arrived Buffalo 2015: 34th percentile nationally Buffalo 2016: 13th percentile nationally Buffalo 2017: 67th percentile nationally Buffalo 2018: 80th percentile nationally Buffalo 2019: 75th percentile nationally Buffalo 2020: 96th percentile nationally Kansas ranked 0th percentile nationally the year before he arrived Kansas 2021: 21th percentile nationally Kansas 2022: 91th percentile nationally Kansas 2023: 97th percentile nationally Penn State ranked 85th percentile nationally the year before he arrived Penn State 2024: 97th percentile nationally Penn State 2025: 85th percentile nationally 97th — career best Penn State, 2024 Did more with less? vs. that season’s full roster talent ▲ +19 beat expectations Buffalo 2015–2019: beat expectations, +19 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (5 of 5 seasons measured) ▲ +63 beat expectations Buffalo 2020–2020: beat expectations, +63 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) ▲ +7 beat expectations Kansas 2021–2022: beat expectations, +7 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (2 of 2 seasons measured) ▲ +46 beat expectations Kansas 2023–2023: beat expectations, +46 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) ▲ +32 beat expectations Penn State 2024–2024: beat expectations, +32 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) ▲ +19 beat expectations Penn State 2025–2025: beat expectations, +19 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) Andy Kotelnicki, offensive coordinator career, season-by-season national percentile and talent-adjusted margin Program Years Inherited (prior season) Seasons coached Talent-adjusted margin Buffalo 2015–2019 66th percentile 2015: 34th percentile; 2016: 13th percentile; 2017: 67th percentile; 2018: 80th percentile; 2019: 75th percentile +19 pts vs. talent (5 of 5 seasons) Buffalo 2020–2020 75th percentile 2020: 96th percentile +63 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons) Kansas 2021–2022 0th percentile 2021: 21th percentile; 2022: 91th percentile +7 pts vs. talent (2 of 2 seasons) Kansas 2023–2023 91th percentile 2023: 97th percentile +46 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons) Penn State 2024–2024 85th percentile 2024: 97th percentile +32 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons) Penn State 2025–2025 97th percentile 2025: 85th percentile +19 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons)
Pete Kwiatkowski
Defense
5 stints at 2 programs · 12 seasons coached4 seasons ranked in the national top 10%
Marginal impact?
Defense +0.19 #90 of 458 · more than most
100th — best in the country90th — elite — top 10%75th — top quarter50th — national median25th — bottom quarter0 — worst in the countryHis unit’s national rank, by season ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26 out Washington Texas Washington 2014: 82th percentile nationally Washington 2015: 90th percentile nationally Washington 2016: 95th percentile nationally Washington 2017: 76th percentile nationally Washington 2018: 90th percentile nationally Washington 2019: 96th percentile nationally Washington 2020: 58th percentile nationally Texas ranked 63th percentile nationally the year before he arrived ○ what he walked into that unit’s rank the season before he arrived Texas 2021: 30th percentile nationally Texas 2022: 74th percentile nationally Texas 2023: 82th percentile nationally Texas 2024: 94th percentile nationally Texas 2025: 63th percentile nationally 96th — career best Washington, 2019 ○ no prior-season record for his first stop (Washington, 2014) Did more with less? vs. that season’s full roster talent ▲ +32 beat expectations · 1/2 yrs Washington 2014–2015: beat expectations, +32 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 2 seasons measured) ▲ +29 beat expectations Washington 2016–2019: beat expectations, +29 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (4 of 4 seasons measured) ▼ −4 fell short Washington 2020–2020: fell short, −4 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) ▼ −5 fell short Texas 2021–2023: fell short, −5 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (3 of 3 seasons measured) ▲ +9 beat expectations Texas 2024–2025: beat expectations, +9 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (2 of 2 seasons measured) Pete Kwiatkowski, defensive coordinator career, season-by-season national percentile and talent-adjusted margin Program Years Inherited (prior season) Seasons coached Talent-adjusted margin Washington 2014–2015 no prior-season record 2014: 82th percentile; 2015: 90th percentile +32 pts vs. talent (1 of 2 seasons) Washington 2016–2019 90th percentile 2016: 95th percentile; 2017: 76th percentile; 2018: 90th percentile; 2019: 96th percentile +29 pts vs. talent (4 of 4 seasons) Washington 2020–2020 96th percentile 2020: 58th percentile -4 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons) Texas 2021–2023 63th percentile 2021: 30th percentile; 2022: 74th percentile; 2023: 82th percentile -5 pts vs. talent (3 of 3 seasons) Texas 2024–2025 82th percentile 2024: 94th percentile; 2025: 63th percentile +9 pts vs. talent (2 of 2 seasons)
Manny Diaz
Defense
4 stints at 4 programs · 7 seasons coached4 seasons ranked in the national top 10%
Marginal impact?
Defense +0.42 #18 of 458 · more than most
100th — best in the country90th — elite — top 10%75th — top quarter50th — national median25th — bottom quarter0 — worst in the countryHis unit’s national rank, by season ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26 out out out out out out Mississippi … Miami Penn State Louisiana Tech 2014: 93th percentile nationally Mississippi State ranked 52th percentile nationally the year before he arrived ○ what he walked into that unit’s rank the season before he arrived Mississippi State 2015: 43th percentile nationally Miami ranked 41th percentile nationally the year before he arrived Miami 2016: 86th percentile nationally Miami 2017: 69th percentile nationally Miami 2018: 94th percentile nationally Penn State ranked 92th percentile nationally the year before he arrived Penn State 2022: 97th percentile nationally Penn State 2023: 98th percentile nationally 98th — career best Penn State, 2023 ○ no prior-season record for his first stop (Louisiana Tech, 2014) Did more with less? vs. that season’s full roster talent not measured ▼ −15 fell short Mississippi State 2015–2015: fell short, −15 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) ▲ +22 beat expectations Miami 2016–2018: beat expectations, +22 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (3 of 3 seasons measured) ▲ +34 beat expectations Penn State 2022–2023: beat expectations, +34 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (2 of 2 seasons measured) Manny Diaz, defensive coordinator career, season-by-season national percentile and talent-adjusted margin Program Years Inherited (prior season) Seasons coached Talent-adjusted margin Louisiana Tech 2014–2014 no prior-season record 2014: 93th percentile not measured Mississippi State 2015–2015 52th percentile 2015: 43th percentile -15 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons) Miami 2016–2018 41th percentile 2016: 86th percentile; 2017: 69th percentile; 2018: 94th percentile +22 pts vs. talent (3 of 3 seasons) Penn State 2022–2023 92th percentile 2022: 97th percentile; 2023: 98th percentile +34 pts vs. talent (2 of 2 seasons)
Marcus Freeman
Defense
3 stints at 3 programs · 6 seasons coached4 seasons ranked in the national top 10%
Marginal impact?
Defense +0.44 #17 of 458 · more than most
100th — best in the country90th — elite — top 10%75th — top quarter50th — national median25th — bottom quarter0 — worst in the countryHis unit’s national rank, by season ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26 out out out out out out out Purdue Cincinnati Notre Dame Purdue ranked 21th percentile nationally the year before he arrived ○ what he walked into that unit’s rank the season before he arrived Purdue 2016: 9th percentile nationally Cincinnati ranked 69th percentile nationally the year before he arrived Cincinnati 2017: 19th percentile nationally Cincinnati 2018: 90th percentile nationally Cincinnati 2019: 90th percentile nationally Cincinnati 2020: 96th percentile nationally Notre Dame ranked 75th percentile nationally the year before he arrived Notre Dame 2021: 95th percentile nationally 96th — career best Cincinnati, 2020 Did more with less? vs. that season’s full roster talent ▼ −40 fell short Purdue 2016–2016: fell short, −40 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) ▲ +24 beat expectations Cincinnati 2017–2020: beat expectations, +24 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (4 of 4 seasons measured) ▲ +31 beat expectations Notre Dame 2021–2021: beat expectations, +31 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) Marcus Freeman, defensive coordinator career, season-by-season national percentile and talent-adjusted margin Program Years Inherited (prior season) Seasons coached Talent-adjusted margin Purdue 2016–2016 21th percentile 2016: 9th percentile -40 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons) Cincinnati 2017–2020 69th percentile 2017: 19th percentile; 2018: 90th percentile; 2019: 90th percentile; 2020: 96th percentile +24 pts vs. talent (4 of 4 seasons) Notre Dame 2021–2021 75th percentile 2021: 95th percentile +31 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons)
Kendal Briles
Offense
7 stints at 7 programs · 11 seasons coached3 seasons ranked in the national top 10%
Marginal impact?
Offense +0.28 #5 of 472 · more than most
100th — best in the country90th — elite — top 10%75th — top quarter50th — national median25th — bottom quarter0 — worst in the countryHis unit’s national rank, by season ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26 out Baylor Florida Atla… Houston Florida St Arkansas TCU South Caroli… Baylor ranked 96th percentile nationally the year before he arrived ○ what he walked into that unit’s rank the season before he arrived Baylor 2015: 91th percentile nationally Baylor 2016: 71th percentile nationally Florida Atlantic ranked 45th percentile nationally the year before he arrived Florida Atlantic 2017: 99th percentile nationally Houston ranked 60th percentile nationally the year before he arrived Houston 2018: 91th percentile nationally Florida State ranked 21th percentile nationally the year before he arrived Florida State 2019: 60th percentile nationally Arkansas ranked 6th percentile nationally the year before he arrived Arkansas 2020: 70th percentile nationally Arkansas 2021: 80th percentile nationally Arkansas 2022: 71th percentile nationally TCU ranked 86th percentile nationally the year before he arrived TCU 2023: 65th percentile nationally TCU 2024: 84th percentile nationally TCU 2025: 69th percentile nationally just hired — no season coached yet 99th — career best Florida Atlantic, 2017 Did more with less? vs. that season’s full roster talent ▲ +24 beat expectations Baylor 2015–2016: beat expectations, +24 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (2 of 2 seasons measured) ▲ +51 beat expectations Florida Atlantic 2017–2017: beat expectations, +51 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) ▲ +38 beat expectations Houston 2018–2018: beat expectations, +38 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) ▼ −9 fell short Florida State 2019–2019: fell short, −9 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) ▲ +14 beat expectations Arkansas 2020–2022: beat expectations, +14 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (3 of 3 seasons measured) ▲ +13 beat expectations TCU 2023–2025: beat expectations, +13 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (3 of 3 seasons measured) not measured Kendal Briles, offensive coordinator career, season-by-season national percentile and talent-adjusted margin Program Years Inherited (prior season) Seasons coached Talent-adjusted margin Baylor 2015–2016 96th percentile 2015: 91th percentile; 2016: 71th percentile +24 pts vs. talent (2 of 2 seasons) Florida Atlantic 2017–2017 45th percentile 2017: 99th percentile +51 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons) Houston 2018–2018 60th percentile 2018: 91th percentile +38 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons) Florida State 2019–2019 21th percentile 2019: 60th percentile -9 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons) Arkansas 2020–2022 6th percentile 2020: 70th percentile; 2021: 80th percentile; 2022: 71th percentile +14 pts vs. talent (3 of 3 seasons) TCU 2023–2025 86th percentile 2023: 65th percentile; 2024: 84th percentile; 2025: 69th percentile +13 pts vs. talent (3 of 3 seasons) South Carolina 2026–2026 no prior-season record not yet coached not measured
Bryan Brown
Defense
7 stints at 4 programs · 8 seasons coached3 seasons ranked in the national top 10%
Marginal impact?
Defense −0.18 #365 of 458 · less than most
100th — best in the country90th — elite — top 10%75th — top quarter50th — national median25th — bottom quarter0 — worst in the countryHis unit’s national rank, by season ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26 out out out out App St Louisville Cincinnati Ole Miss App State ranked 81th percentile nationally the year before he arrived ○ what he walked into that unit’s rank the season before he arrived App State 2018: 98th percentile nationally Louisville ranked 2th percentile nationally the year before he arrived Louisville 2019: 4th percentile nationally Louisville 2020: 61th percentile nationally Louisville 2021: 32th percentile nationally Louisville 2022: 97th percentile nationally Cincinnati ranked 87th percentile nationally the year before he arrived Cincinnati 2023: 0th percentile nationally Ole Miss ranked 41th percentile nationally the year before he arrived Ole Miss 2024: 96th percentile nationally Ole Miss 2025: 65th percentile nationally 98th — career best App State, 2018 Did more with less? vs. that season’s full roster talent ▲ +59 beat expectations App State 2018–2018: beat expectations, +59 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) ▼ −22 fell short Louisville 2019–2020: fell short, −22 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (2 of 2 seasons measured) ▼ −20 fell short Louisville 2021–2021: fell short, −20 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) ▲ +46 beat expectations Louisville 2022–2022: beat expectations, +46 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) ▼ −53 fell short Cincinnati 2023–2023: fell short, −53 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) ▲ +20 beat expectations Ole Miss 2024–2025: beat expectations, +20 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (2 of 2 seasons measured) not measured Bryan Brown, defensive coordinator career, season-by-season national percentile and talent-adjusted margin Program Years Inherited (prior season) Seasons coached Talent-adjusted margin App State 2018–2018 81th percentile 2018: 98th percentile +59 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons) Louisville 2019–2020 2th percentile 2019: 4th percentile; 2020: 61th percentile -22 pts vs. talent (2 of 2 seasons) Louisville 2021–2021 61th percentile 2021: 32th percentile -20 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons) Louisville 2022–2022 32th percentile 2022: 97th percentile +46 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons) Cincinnati 2023–2023 87th percentile 2023: 0th percentile -53 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons) Ole Miss 2024–2025 41th percentile 2024: 96th percentile; 2025: 65th percentile +20 pts vs. talent (2 of 2 seasons) Ole Miss 2026–2026 no prior-season record not yet coached not measured
Kirk Ciarrocca
Offense
5 stints at 4 programs · 11 seasons coached3 seasons ranked in the national top 10%
Marginal impact?
Offense +0.26 #7 of 472 · more than most
100th — best in the country90th — elite — top 10%75th — top quarter50th — national median25th — bottom quarter0 — worst in the countryHis unit’s national rank, by season ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26 out Western Michigan Minnesota Penn St Minnesota Rutgers Western Michigan 2014: 77th percentile nationally Western Michigan 2015: 96th percentile nationally Western Michigan 2016: 96th percentile nationally Minnesota ranked 21th percentile nationally the year before he arrived ○ what he walked into that unit’s rank the season before he arrived Minnesota 2017: 10th percentile nationally Minnesota 2018: 60th percentile nationally Minnesota 2019: 92th percentile nationally Penn State ranked 78th percentile nationally the year before he arrived Penn State 2020: 67th percentile nationally Minnesota ranked 47th percentile nationally the year before he arrived Minnesota 2022: 60th percentile nationally Rutgers ranked 1th percentile nationally the year before he arrived Rutgers 2023: 28th percentile nationally Rutgers 2024: 56th percentile nationally Rutgers 2025: 60th percentile nationally 96th — career best Western Michigan, 2016 ○ no prior-season record for his first stop (Western Michigan, 2014) Did more with less? vs. that season’s full roster talent ▲ +49 beat expectations · 2/3 yrs Western Michigan 2014–2016: beat expectations, +49 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (2 of 3 seasons measured) ▲ +1 beat expectations Minnesota 2017–2019: beat expectations, +1 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (3 of 3 seasons measured) ▲ +1 beat expectations Penn State 2020–2020: beat expectations, +1 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) ▲ +6 beat expectations Minnesota 2022–2022: beat expectations, +6 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) ▼ −4 fell short · 3/4 yrs Rutgers 2023–2026: fell short, −4 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (3 of 4 seasons measured) Kirk Ciarrocca, offensive coordinator career, season-by-season national percentile and talent-adjusted margin Program Years Inherited (prior season) Seasons coached Talent-adjusted margin Western Michigan 2014–2016 no prior-season record 2014: 77th percentile; 2015: 96th percentile; 2016: 96th percentile +49 pts vs. talent (2 of 3 seasons) Minnesota 2017–2019 21th percentile 2017: 10th percentile; 2018: 60th percentile; 2019: 92th percentile +1 pts vs. talent (3 of 3 seasons) Penn State 2020–2020 78th percentile 2020: 67th percentile +1 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons) Minnesota 2022–2022 47th percentile 2022: 60th percentile +6 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons) Rutgers 2023–2026 1th percentile 2023: 28th percentile; 2024: 56th percentile; 2025: 60th percentile -4 pts vs. talent (3 of 4 seasons)
Jim Knowles
Defense
5 stints at 5 programs · 12 seasons coached3 seasons ranked in the national top 10%
Marginal impact?
Defense +0.45 #15 of 458 · more than most
100th — best in the country90th — elite — top 10%75th — top quarter50th — national median25th — bottom quarter0 — worst in the countryHis unit’s national rank, by season ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26 Duke Oklahoma State Ohio State Penn St Tennessee Duke 2014: 42th percentile nationally Duke 2015: 27th percentile nationally Duke 2016: 30th percentile nationally Duke 2017: 82th percentile nationally Oklahoma State ranked 47th percentile nationally the year before he arrived ○ what he walked into that unit’s rank the season before he arrived Oklahoma State 2018: 17th percentile nationally Oklahoma State 2019: 56th percentile nationally Oklahoma State 2020: 84th percentile nationally Oklahoma State 2021: 100th percentile nationally Ohio State ranked 76th percentile nationally the year before he arrived Ohio State 2022: 52th percentile nationally Ohio State 2023: 96th percentile nationally Ohio State 2024: 100th percentile nationally Penn State ranked 98th percentile nationally the year before he arrived Penn State 2025: 74th percentile nationally just hired — no season coached yet 100th — career best Ohio State, 2024 ○ no prior-season record for his first stop (Duke, 2014) Did more with less? vs. that season’s full roster talent ▼ −8 fell short · 3/4 yrs Duke 2014–2017: fell short, −8 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (3 of 4 seasons measured) ▲ +9 beat expectations Oklahoma State 2018–2021: beat expectations, +9 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (4 of 4 seasons measured) ▲ +12 beat expectations Ohio State 2022–2024: beat expectations, +12 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (3 of 3 seasons measured) ▲ +9 beat expectations Penn State 2025–2025: beat expectations, +9 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) not measured Jim Knowles, defensive coordinator career, season-by-season national percentile and talent-adjusted margin Program Years Inherited (prior season) Seasons coached Talent-adjusted margin Duke 2014–2017 no prior-season record 2014: 42th percentile; 2015: 27th percentile; 2016: 30th percentile; 2017: 82th percentile -8 pts vs. talent (3 of 4 seasons) Oklahoma State 2018–2021 47th percentile 2018: 17th percentile; 2019: 56th percentile; 2020: 84th percentile; 2021: 100th percentile +9 pts vs. talent (4 of 4 seasons) Ohio State 2022–2024 76th percentile 2022: 52th percentile; 2023: 96th percentile; 2024: 100th percentile +12 pts vs. talent (3 of 3 seasons) Penn State 2025–2025 98th percentile 2025: 74th percentile +9 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons) Tennessee 2026–2026 no prior-season record not yet coached not measured
Jim Zebrowski
Offense
4 stints at 2 programs · 4 seasons coached3 seasons ranked in the national top 10%
Marginal impact?
Offense +0.01 #203 of 472 · a typical amount
100th — best in the country90th — elite — top 10%75th — top quarter50th — national median25th — bottom quarter0 — worst in the countryHis unit’s national rank, by season ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26 out out out out out out out out Buffalo Kansas Buffalo ranked 75th percentile nationally the year before he arrived ○ what he walked into that unit’s rank the season before he arrived Buffalo 2020: 96th percentile nationally Kansas ranked 91th percentile nationally the year before he arrived Kansas 2023: 97th percentile nationally Kansas 2024: 94th percentile nationally Kansas 2025: 68th percentile nationally 97th — career best Kansas, 2023 Did more with less? vs. that season’s full roster talent ▲ +63 beat expectations Buffalo 2020–2020: beat expectations, +63 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) ▲ +46 beat expectations Kansas 2023–2023: beat expectations, +46 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) ▲ +40 beat expectations Kansas 2024–2024: beat expectations, +40 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) ▲ +14 beat expectations · 1/2 yrs Kansas 2025–2026: beat expectations, +14 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 2 seasons measured) Jim Zebrowski, offensive coordinator career, season-by-season national percentile and talent-adjusted margin Program Years Inherited (prior season) Seasons coached Talent-adjusted margin Buffalo 2020–2020 75th percentile 2020: 96th percentile +63 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons) Kansas 2023–2023 91th percentile 2023: 97th percentile +46 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons) Kansas 2024–2024 97th percentile 2024: 94th percentile +40 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons) Kansas 2025–2026 94th percentile 2025: 68th percentile +14 pts vs. talent (1 of 2 seasons)
Newland Isaac
Offense
3 stints at 2 programs · 7 seasons coached3 seasons ranked in the national top 10%
100th — best in the country90th — elite — top 10%75th — top quarter50th — national median25th — bottom quarter0 — worst in the countryHis unit’s national rank, by season ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26 out out out out out Coastal Carolina Liberty Coastal Carolina ranked 41th percentile nationally the year before he arrived ○ what he walked into that unit’s rank the season before he arrived Coastal Carolina 2019: 45th percentile nationally Coastal Carolina 2020: 96th percentile nationally Coastal Carolina 2021: 99th percentile nationally Coastal Carolina 2022: 69th percentile nationally Liberty ranked 39th percentile nationally the year before he arrived Liberty 2023: 96th percentile nationally Liberty 2024: 39th percentile nationally Liberty 2025: 56th percentile nationally 99th — career best Coastal Carolina, 2021 Did more with less? vs. that season’s full roster talent ▲ +41 beat expectations Coastal Carolina 2019–2022: beat expectations, +41 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (4 of 4 seasons measured) ▲ +22 beat expectations Liberty 2023–2025: beat expectations, +22 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (3 of 3 seasons measured) not measured Newland Isaac, offensive coordinator career, season-by-season national percentile and talent-adjusted margin Program Years Inherited (prior season) Seasons coached Talent-adjusted margin Coastal Carolina 2019–2022 41th percentile 2019: 45th percentile; 2020: 96th percentile; 2021: 99th percentile; 2022: 69th percentile +41 pts vs. talent (4 of 4 seasons) Liberty 2023–2025 39th percentile 2023: 96th percentile; 2024: 39th percentile; 2025: 56th percentile +22 pts vs. talent (3 of 3 seasons) Liberty 2026–2026 no prior-season record not yet coached not measured
Will Stein
Offense
3 stints at 2 programs · 4 seasons coached3 seasons ranked in the national top 10%
Marginal impact?
Offense +0.23 #15 of 472 · more than most
100th — best in the country90th — elite — top 10%75th — top quarter50th — national median25th — bottom quarter0 — worst in the countryHis unit’s national rank, by season ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26 out out out out out out out out out UTSA Oregon UTSA ranked 73th percentile nationally the year before he arrived ○ what he walked into that unit’s rank the season before he arrived UTSA 2022: 82th percentile nationally Oregon ranked 90th percentile nationally the year before he arrived Oregon 2023: 100th percentile nationally Oregon 2024: 97th percentile nationally Oregon 2025: 92th percentile nationally 100th — career best Oregon, 2023 Did more with less? vs. that season’s full roster talent ▲ +34 beat expectations UTSA 2022–2022: beat expectations, +34 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) ▲ +31 beat expectations Oregon 2023–2024: beat expectations, +31 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (2 of 2 seasons measured) ▲ +22 beat expectations Oregon 2025–2025: beat expectations, +22 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) Will Stein, offensive coordinator career, season-by-season national percentile and talent-adjusted margin Program Years Inherited (prior season) Seasons coached Talent-adjusted margin UTSA 2022–2022 73th percentile 2022: 82th percentile +34 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons) Oregon 2023–2024 90th percentile 2023: 100th percentile; 2024: 97th percentile +31 pts vs. talent (2 of 2 seasons) Oregon 2025–2025 97th percentile 2025: 92th percentile +22 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons)
Junior Adams
Offense
3 stints at 2 programs · 5 seasons coached3 seasons ranked in the national top 10%
Marginal impact?
Offense +0.05 #146 of 472 · a typical amount
100th — best in the country90th — elite — top 10%75th — top quarter50th — national median25th — bottom quarter0 — worst in the countryHis unit’s national rank, by season ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26 out out out out out out out out Western Kentucky Oregon Western Kentucky ranked 100th percentile nationally the year before he arrived ○ what he walked into that unit’s rank the season before he arrived Western Kentucky 2017: 57th percentile nationally Western Kentucky 2018: 16th percentile nationally Oregon ranked 68th percentile nationally the year before he arrived Oregon 2022: 90th percentile nationally Oregon 2023: 100th percentile nationally Oregon 2024: 97th percentile nationally 100th — career best Oregon, 2023 Did more with less? vs. that season’s full roster talent ▼ −3 fell short Western Kentucky 2017–2018: fell short, −3 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (2 of 2 seasons measured) ▲ +22 beat expectations Oregon 2022–2022: beat expectations, +22 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) ▲ +31 beat expectations Oregon 2023–2024: beat expectations, +31 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (2 of 2 seasons measured) Junior Adams, offensive coordinator career, season-by-season national percentile and talent-adjusted margin Program Years Inherited (prior season) Seasons coached Talent-adjusted margin Western Kentucky 2017–2018 100th percentile 2017: 57th percentile; 2018: 16th percentile -3 pts vs. talent (2 of 2 seasons) Oregon 2022–2022 68th percentile 2022: 90th percentile +22 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons) Oregon 2023–2024 90th percentile 2023: 100th percentile; 2024: 97th percentile +31 pts vs. talent (2 of 2 seasons)
Greg Gasparato
Defense
3 stints at 3 programs · 4 seasons coached3 seasons ranked in the national top 10%
Marginal impact?
Defense +0.36 #28 of 458 · more than most
100th — best in the country90th — elite — top 10%75th — top quarter50th — national median25th — bottom quarter0 — worst in the countryHis unit’s national rank, by season ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26 out out out out out out out out out Army Troy Tulane Army ranked 33th percentile nationally the year before he arrived ○ what he walked into that unit’s rank the season before he arrived Army 2020: 91th percentile nationally Troy ranked 94th percentile nationally the year before he arrived Troy 2023: 97th percentile nationally Tulane ranked 57th percentile nationally the year before he arrived Tulane 2024: 92th percentile nationally Tulane 2025: 60th percentile nationally 97th — career best Troy, 2023 Did more with less? vs. that season’s full roster talent ▲ +63 beat expectations Army 2020–2020: beat expectations, +63 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) ▲ +54 beat expectations Troy 2023–2023: beat expectations, +54 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) ▲ +25 beat expectations Tulane 2024–2025: beat expectations, +25 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (2 of 2 seasons measured) Greg Gasparato, defensive coordinator career, season-by-season national percentile and talent-adjusted margin Program Years Inherited (prior season) Seasons coached Talent-adjusted margin Army 2020–2020 33th percentile 2020: 91th percentile +63 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons) Troy 2023–2023 94th percentile 2023: 97th percentile +54 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons) Tulane 2024–2025 57th percentile 2024: 92th percentile; 2025: 60th percentile +25 pts vs. talent (2 of 2 seasons)
Jeremy Pruitt
Defense
3 stints at 2 programs · 4 seasons coached3 seasons ranked in the national top 10%
Marginal impact?
Defense +0.61 #3 of 458 · more than most
100th — best in the country90th — elite — top 10%75th — top quarter50th — national median25th — bottom quarter0 — worst in the countryHis unit’s national rank, by season ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26 out out out out out out out out out Georgia Alabama Georgia 2014: 64th percentile nationally Georgia 2015: 96th percentile nationally Alabama ranked 98th percentile nationally the year before he arrived ○ what he walked into that unit’s rank the season before he arrived Alabama 2016: 100th percentile nationally Alabama 2017: 100th percentile nationally 100th — career best Alabama, 2017 ○ no prior-season record for his first stop (Georgia, 2014) Did more with less? vs. that season’s full roster talent ▲ +29 beat expectations · 1/2 yrs Georgia 2014–2015: beat expectations, +29 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 2 seasons measured) ▲ +24 beat expectations Alabama 2016–2016: beat expectations, +24 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) ▲ +24 beat expectations Alabama 2017–2017: beat expectations, +24 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) Jeremy Pruitt, defensive coordinator career, season-by-season national percentile and talent-adjusted margin Program Years Inherited (prior season) Seasons coached Talent-adjusted margin Georgia 2014–2015 no prior-season record 2014: 64th percentile; 2015: 96th percentile +29 pts vs. talent (1 of 2 seasons) Alabama 2016–2016 98th percentile 2016: 100th percentile +24 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons) Alabama 2017–2017 100th percentile 2017: 100th percentile +24 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons)
Don Brown
Defense
3 stints at 3 programs · 8 seasons coached3 seasons ranked in the national top 10%
Marginal impact?
Defense +0.25 #63 of 458 · more than most
100th — best in the country90th — elite — top 10%75th — top quarter50th — national median25th — bottom quarter0 — worst in the countryHis unit’s national rank, by season ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26 out out out out out Boston College Michigan Arizona Boston College 2014: 60th percentile nationally Boston College 2015: 100th percentile nationally Michigan ranked 89th percentile nationally the year before he arrived ○ what he walked into that unit’s rank the season before he arrived Michigan 2016: 96th percentile nationally Michigan 2017: 90th percentile nationally Michigan 2018: 83th percentile nationally Michigan 2019: 70th percentile nationally Michigan 2020: 26th percentile nationally Arizona ranked 18th percentile nationally the year before he arrived Arizona 2021: 33th percentile nationally 100th — career best Boston College, 2015 ○ no prior-season record for his first stop (Boston College, 2014) Did more with less? vs. that season’s full roster talent ▲ +48 beat expectations · 1/2 yrs Boston College 2014–2015: beat expectations, +48 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 2 seasons measured) ▲ +8 beat expectations Michigan 2016–2020: beat expectations, +8 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (5 of 5 seasons measured) ▼ −17 fell short Arizona 2021–2021: fell short, −17 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) Don Brown, defensive coordinator career, season-by-season national percentile and talent-adjusted margin Program Years Inherited (prior season) Seasons coached Talent-adjusted margin Boston College 2014–2015 no prior-season record 2014: 60th percentile; 2015: 100th percentile +48 pts vs. talent (1 of 2 seasons) Michigan 2016–2020 89th percentile 2016: 96th percentile; 2017: 90th percentile; 2018: 83th percentile; 2019: 70th percentile; 2020: 26th percentile +8 pts vs. talent (5 of 5 seasons) Arizona 2021–2021 18th percentile 2021: 33th percentile -17 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons)
Alex Golesh
Offense
2 stints at 2 programs · 3 seasons coached3 seasons ranked in the national top 10%
Marginal impact?
Offense +0.15 #43 of 472 · more than most
100th — best in the country90th — elite — top 10%75th — top quarter50th — national median25th — bottom quarter0 — worst in the countryHis unit’s national rank, by season ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26 out out out out out out out out out out UCF Tennessee UCF ranked 88th percentile nationally the year before he arrived ○ what he walked into that unit’s rank the season before he arrived UCF 2020: 90th percentile nationally Tennessee ranked 33th percentile nationally the year before he arrived Tennessee 2021: 91th percentile nationally Tennessee 2022: 98th percentile nationally 98th — career best Tennessee, 2022 Did more with less? vs. that season’s full roster talent ▲ +40 beat expectations UCF 2020–2020: beat expectations, +40 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) ▲ +33 beat expectations Tennessee 2021–2022: beat expectations, +33 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (2 of 2 seasons measured) Alex Golesh, offensive coordinator career, season-by-season national percentile and talent-adjusted margin Program Years Inherited (prior season) Seasons coached Talent-adjusted margin UCF 2020–2020 88th percentile 2020: 90th percentile +40 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons) Tennessee 2021–2022 33th percentile 2021: 91th percentile; 2022: 98th percentile +33 pts vs. talent (2 of 2 seasons)
Willy Korn
Offense
2 stints at 2 programs · 7 seasons coached3 seasons ranked in the national top 10%
100th — best in the country90th — elite — top 10%75th — top quarter50th — national median25th — bottom quarter0 — worst in the countryHis unit’s national rank, by season ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26 out out out out out out Coastal Carolina Liberty Coastal Carolina ranked 41th percentile nationally the year before he arrived ○ what he walked into that unit’s rank the season before he arrived Coastal Carolina 2019: 45th percentile nationally Coastal Carolina 2020: 96th percentile nationally Coastal Carolina 2021: 99th percentile nationally Coastal Carolina 2022: 69th percentile nationally Liberty ranked 39th percentile nationally the year before he arrived Liberty 2023: 96th percentile nationally Liberty 2024: 39th percentile nationally Liberty 2025: 56th percentile nationally 99th — career best Coastal Carolina, 2021 Did more with less? vs. that season’s full roster talent ▲ +41 beat expectations Coastal Carolina 2019–2022: beat expectations, +41 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (4 of 4 seasons measured) ▲ +22 beat expectations Liberty 2023–2025: beat expectations, +22 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (3 of 3 seasons measured) Willy Korn, offensive coordinator career, season-by-season national percentile and talent-adjusted margin Program Years Inherited (prior season) Seasons coached Talent-adjusted margin Coastal Carolina 2019–2022 41th percentile 2019: 45th percentile; 2020: 96th percentile; 2021: 99th percentile; 2022: 69th percentile +41 pts vs. talent (4 of 4 seasons) Liberty 2023–2025 39th percentile 2023: 96th percentile; 2024: 39th percentile; 2025: 56th percentile +22 pts vs. talent (3 of 3 seasons)
Bryant Haines
Defense
2 stints at 2 programs · 4 seasons coached3 seasons ranked in the national top 10%
Marginal impact?
Defense +0.55 #6 of 458 · more than most
100th — best in the country90th — elite — top 10%75th — top quarter50th — national median25th — bottom quarter0 — worst in the countryHis unit’s national rank, by season ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26 out out out out out out out out James Madison Indiana James Madison 2022: 96th percentile nationally James Madison 2023: 89th percentile nationally Indiana ranked 14th percentile nationally the year before he arrived ○ what he walked into that unit’s rank the season before he arrived Indiana 2024: 95th percentile nationally Indiana 2025: 96th percentile nationally 96th — career best Indiana, 2025 ○ no prior-season record for his first stop (James Madison, 2022) Did more with less? vs. that season’s full roster talent ▲ +62 beat expectations James Madison 2022–2023: beat expectations, +62 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (2 of 2 seasons measured) ▲ +45 beat expectations · 2/3 yrs Indiana 2024–2026: beat expectations, +45 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (2 of 3 seasons measured) Bryant Haines, defensive coordinator career, season-by-season national percentile and talent-adjusted margin Program Years Inherited (prior season) Seasons coached Talent-adjusted margin James Madison 2022–2023 no prior-season record 2022: 96th percentile; 2023: 89th percentile +62 pts vs. talent (2 of 2 seasons) Indiana 2024–2026 14th percentile 2024: 95th percentile; 2025: 96th percentile +45 pts vs. talent (2 of 3 seasons)
Mike Tressel
Defense
7 stints at 3 programs · 10 seasons coached2 seasons ranked in the national top 10%
Marginal impact?
Defense +0.33 #37 of 458 · more than most
100th — best in the country90th — elite — top 10%75th — top quarter50th — national median25th — bottom quarter0 — worst in the countryHis unit’s national rank, by season ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26 out out Michigan State Cincinnati Wisconsin Michigan State ranked 81th percentile nationally the year before he arrived ○ what he walked into that unit’s rank the season before he arrived Michigan State 2015: 60th percentile nationally Michigan State 2016: 57th percentile nationally Michigan State 2017: 63th percentile nationally Michigan State 2018: 97th percentile nationally Michigan State 2019: 82th percentile nationally Cincinnati ranked 96th percentile nationally the year before he arrived Cincinnati 2021: 94th percentile nationally Cincinnati 2022: 87th percentile nationally Wisconsin ranked 79th percentile nationally the year before he arrived Wisconsin 2023: 60th percentile nationally Wisconsin 2024: 48th percentile nationally Wisconsin 2025: 56th percentile nationally 97th — career best Michigan State, 2018 Did more with less? vs. that season’s full roster talent ▲ +0 beat expectations Michigan State 2015–2017: beat expectations, +0 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (3 of 3 seasons measured) ▲ +32 beat expectations Michigan State 2018–2019: beat expectations, +32 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (2 of 2 seasons measured) ▲ +41 beat expectations Cincinnati 2021–2021: beat expectations, +41 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) ▲ +34 beat expectations Cincinnati 2022–2022: beat expectations, +34 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) ▲ +2 beat expectations Wisconsin 2023–2023: beat expectations, +2 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) ▼ −11 fell short Wisconsin 2024–2024: fell short, −11 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) ▼ −3 fell short · 1/2 yrs Wisconsin 2025–2026: fell short, −3 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 2 seasons measured) Mike Tressel, defensive coordinator career, season-by-season national percentile and talent-adjusted margin Program Years Inherited (prior season) Seasons coached Talent-adjusted margin Michigan State 2015–2017 81th percentile 2015: 60th percentile; 2016: 57th percentile; 2017: 63th percentile +0 pts vs. talent (3 of 3 seasons) Michigan State 2018–2019 63th percentile 2018: 97th percentile; 2019: 82th percentile +32 pts vs. talent (2 of 2 seasons) Cincinnati 2021–2021 96th percentile 2021: 94th percentile +41 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons) Cincinnati 2022–2022 94th percentile 2022: 87th percentile +34 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons) Wisconsin 2023–2023 79th percentile 2023: 60th percentile +2 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons) Wisconsin 2024–2024 60th percentile 2024: 48th percentile -11 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons) Wisconsin 2025–2026 48th percentile 2025: 56th percentile -3 pts vs. talent (1 of 2 seasons)
Nate Woody
Defense
6 stints at 4 programs · 11 seasons coached2 seasons ranked in the national top 10%
Marginal impact?
Defense +0.40 #20 of 458 · more than most
100th — best in the country90th — elite — top 10%75th — top quarter50th — national median25th — bottom quarter0 — worst in the countryHis unit’s national rank, by season ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26 out App State Georgia Tech Army Cincinnati App State 2014: 76th percentile nationally App State 2015: 97th percentile nationally App State 2016: 89th percentile nationally App State 2017: 81th percentile nationally Georgia Tech ranked 50th percentile nationally the year before he arrived ○ what he walked into that unit’s rank the season before he arrived Georgia Tech 2018: 12th percentile nationally Army ranked 33th percentile nationally the year before he arrived Army 2020: 91th percentile nationally Army 2021: 34th percentile nationally Army 2022: 68th percentile nationally Army 2023: 18th percentile nationally Army 2024: 47th percentile nationally Army 2025: 50th percentile nationally just hired — no season coached yet 97th — career best App State, 2015 ○ no prior-season record for his first stop (App State, 2014) Did more with less? vs. that season’s full roster talent ▲ +52 beat expectations · 3/4 yrs App State 2014–2017: beat expectations, +52 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (3 of 4 seasons measured) ▼ −42 fell short Georgia Tech 2018–2018: fell short, −42 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) ▲ +63 beat expectations Army 2020–2020: beat expectations, +63 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) ▲ +7 beat expectations Army 2021–2021: beat expectations, +7 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (1 of 1 seasons measured) ▲ +19 beat expectations Army 2022–2025: beat expectations, +19 points vs. that season’s full roster talent (4 of 4 seasons measured) not measured Nate Woody, defensive coordinator career, season-by-season national percentile and talent-adjusted margin Program Years Inherited (prior season) Seasons coached Talent-adjusted margin App State 2014–2017 no prior-season record 2014: 76th percentile; 2015: 97th percentile; 2016: 89th percentile; 2017: 81th percentile +52 pts vs. talent (3 of 4 seasons) Georgia Tech 2018–2018 50th percentile 2018: 12th percentile -42 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons) Army 2020–2020 33th percentile 2020: 91th percentile +63 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons) Army 2021–2021 91th percentile 2021: 34th percentile +7 pts vs. talent (1 of 1 seasons) Army 2022–2025 34th percentile 2022: 68th percentile; 2023: 18th percentile; 2024: 47th percentile; 2025: 50th percentile +19 pts vs. talent (4 of 4 seasons) Cincinnati 2026–2026 no prior-season record not yet coached not measured
Every other coordinator who ran two or more programs
The gallery above shows the top 24 by elite seasons. 324 more never became a head coach and have their own Tenure Clock page.
How to read this. Every value plotted is read directly from the source record: season-by-season national percentile of the unit he ran (offensive or defensive opponent-adjusted efficiency, PPA-based, ranked against FBS peers only), the unit’s percentile the season before he arrived, and the talent-adjusted margin. This is a coordinator’s OC/DC path (min. two programs, no minimum stint length) — head-coaching stops aren’t shown here. “Did more with less” compares a unit’s FBS-relative percentile against what the program’s overall recruiting talent (247/On3-style team composite, no offense/defense split exists) predicts for a team with that much talent, pooled across every FBS team-season 2015–2025 and fit separately for offense and defense — not a claim any coordinator single-handedly caused the gap. Only seasons inside the 2015–2025 window count toward that average, shown as a season count alongside the figure. A co-credited season (co-OC/co-DC) contributes a node to every credited person’s own career.← Back to the coordinator board
