What's the largest drop ever in wins for a new HC?
We always hear about it when a school gets a big jump in wins for a new head coach in his first year versus the previous coach in his last year. Usually a positive variance is the case, hence there being a new coach. The exceptions to that rule are when a successful coach either retires or jumps to a better job opportunity. In 2008, RR presided over a -6 variance from 2007. I was thinking that this has to be one of the biggest negative variances in BCS-conference history. Does anyone out there know of any other major programs that suffered through an equal or worse negative variance in win totals for their first year head coach?
p.s. I'm not trying to rip on RR with this thread I'm just curious if other programs have felt our pain.
January 1st, 2009 at 3:44 PM ^
presided over a -5 win variance (10-3 in 2003 (Solich's last yr) vs. 5-6 in 2004)
January 1st, 2009 at 3:44 PM ^
..from 2006 to 2007 went from 6-7 to 1-11. Yes, I know that is -5, yes I know this isn't the largest, but it's close.
January 1st, 2009 at 4:03 PM ^
at Alabama. In 1996 Stallings went 10-3 (incl. a win over Michigan in his last bowl game). In 1997 new HC Mike Dubose went 4-7. Bingo, there's another -6 variance.
(aaaand let's hope to God RR isn't the next Mike Dubose, because Lloyd's career was a helluva lot like Stallings'.)
January 1st, 2009 at 4:30 PM ^
Only without the forfeited games.
January 1st, 2009 at 10:35 PM ^
you meant Carr=Stallings minus the disgrace of having to forfeit games. Gotcha. Sorry!
January 1st, 2009 at 4:59 PM ^
Alabama didn't have to forfeit any games in 1996 or 1997.
BTW, the above Nebraska and Alabama situations are literally the only other instances among powerhouse programs in the last 25 years where I could find such a huge drop in wins for the incoming head coach.
January 1st, 2009 at 5:33 PM ^
That's probably because most of the time when a successful coach retires, one of his assistants takes over and there isn't much of a rebuilding job to do. Those new coaches often do well initially, but if they're not good in their own right, their programs often start to decline. Note Miami under Larry Coker, Colorado under Rick Neuheisel, and, perhaps, Wisconsin under Beilema (they've dropped from 12 to 9 to 7 wins in his three years).
January 1st, 2009 at 10:28 PM ^
Earle Bruce in 1987: 6-4-1
John Cooper in 1988: 4-6-1
Sure, that's not a lot, but I just miss John Cooper. Come back, big fellow! We miss you!