ESPN just posted an insider article talking about 1st year head coaches in college football.
The idea was, here's how we rated their hires in preseason. And now let's re-grade them after the year was over. There were like 25 or 30 coaches profiled, but let me share what they said about Fran the Man:
Hiring grade: C
What was written then:
Brown's hire came as a surprise, as Syracuse had spoken to candidates with head coaching and coordinator experience, including some currently overseeing college programs. Selecting a candidate best known for recruiting can carry risks, and Brown will face a learning curve as he oversees a Power 5 program after being a career defensive backs coach.
Year 1 record: 10-3
Year 1 grade: A
Evaluation: I was highly skeptical of Syracuse, as hires motivated primarily by a candidate's recruiting prowess almost never work out at Power 4 programs. But he proved me and many others wrong, not only upgrading Syracuse's talent level but also establishing a new identity for the program with a very exciting style of play. Led by quarterback transfer
Kyle McCord, Syracuse led the nation in passing (370 ypg) by nearly 20 yards per game. The Orange recorded quality nonleague wins against eventual MAC champ Ohio and Mountain West runner-up UNLV. Syracuse also went 7-2 in games decided by eight points or fewer.
The Orange never lost back-to-back games and spoiled Miami's CFP hopes with the largest comeback in team history, rallying from a 21-0 deficit to win 42-38 at the JMA Wireless Dome. Brown brought an edge to the program -- "
Winners get washed," he said -- and guided Syracuse to just its second 10-win season since 2001.