What new Power Five coaches will be watching this spring

Eight coaches are spending their first spring in charge of a Power Five program. We look at what each coach needs most this spring, with comments from our local experts in the Rivals.com network.

MORE: Commits of the Week | Grading assistant coaching hires

“Putting the program's troubled past in its context is a process that Matt Rhule will govern day by day. But the business of football has to move forward. Baylor isn't especially deep at QB between Zach Smith, the presumed starter, Arizona transfer QB Anu Solomon, who has a history of injuries and mid-semester enrollee Charlie Brewer. But the core issues remain along both the offensive and defensive lines. On the offensive line, Dominic Desouza left the program and Sean Muir (concussion) had to retire from the game. So that leaves this program looking for help and depth. On the defensive line, 2016 issues forced Baylor to change from the 4-2-5 to the 3-4. Under Rhule, the Bears are going back to the 4-3.” – Kevin Lonnquist, SicEmSports.com

“The revamping of a defense that struggled to stop most things presents the biggest challenge for Justin Wilcox and his new staff. During his introductory press conference, Wilcox noted that his experience was based in running a base 3-4 and 4-2-5 nickel, and he hired a 3-4 defensive coordinator in Tim DeRuyter. The challenge for the two of them is making the pieces fit, as the Bears don’t have a true nose tackle type and the depth at linebacker is spotty at best. There will be some defensive ends converted to fill the outside linebacker/rush end role that DeRuyter used Von Miller in at Texas A&M, but there will be growing pains. Luckily, the Bears return eight defensive starters from a season ago, and plenty of others with game experience.” – Trace Travers, GoldenBearReport.com

“For the first time in six years, Indiana’s offense will look different. The Hoosiers enter spring practices with their offensive staff completely turned over. New head coach Tom Allen, promoted from defensive coordinator, said he wants to use a “tempo spread” for his offensive scheme. Developing that vision alongside a brand new offensive staff is Indiana’s biggest need this spring, especially with the new offensive coaches arriving in Bloomington at different times over the last two months and the amount of time players will need to learn a new offense.” – Stu Jackson, TheHoosier.com

“LSU this spring has many questions to be answered but none bigger than moving forward with the new offense under new coordinator Matt Canada. It's Canada's job to make Danny Etling a better quarterback and to develop a strong No. 2 behind him. With Brandon Harris transferring out, Lindsey Scott Jr. or even true freshman Lowell Narcisse must be brought along.” – Mike Scarborough, TigerBait.com

“Quarterback is the biggest need that Fleck will try to fill. Mitch Leidner had a less-than-spectacular senior season, and either Conor Rhoda, Seth Green, Demry Croft or Tanner Morgan will take over. Rhoda was the No. 2 quarterback last season and played OK when Leidner went down and he had to fill in against Maryland. Green will be a redshirt freshman next season and is considered by most to be the slight favorite. Croft redshirted this past season but was the No. 2 in 2015. Morgan is an early enrollee freshman that's probably more ready than most incoming freshman quarterbacks. I think the whole fan base is looking forward to watching the quarterbacks in spring practices.” – Matt Jessen-Howard, TheGopherReport.com

“Willie Taggart is known for his ability to rebuild programs. With the Ducks, the rebuild is steeper in some ways and less so in others. The offense was very good a season ago and returns five starting linemen, the starting QB, Royce Freeman and several playmakers on the edge. The biggest obstacle he will face on the field this spring, however, is rebuilding a defense, which went from adequate to abysmal in the course of three seasons. The defensive staff he hired should help him accomplish that goal – but it is definitely the area which most observers should pay the closest attention.” – Scott Reed, DuckSportsAuthority.com

“The appeal of Jeff Brohm's offense and Nick Holt's defense is versatility. They can — and want to — cater scheme toward personnel. But before they can design much, Brohm and Holt need to know what kind of talent is at their disposal, which is where spring ball comes in. The 15 practices will be crucial in identifying playmakers and evaluating what players can and can't do in order to structure the offense and defense in the fall to get those players involved and into positions in which they can make plays.” Stacy Clardie, GoldandBlack.com

“There will be a few challenges for the new Texas coaching staff, from installing new schemes on both sides of the ball to figuring out the quarterback position, but the biggest issue for this team is something that’s not really tangible. As much as Texas needs to find some talented playmakers on both sides of the ball, the bigger challenge is making the players tougher mentally and getting over what has kind of turned into a losing culture the past few years. Tom Herman said when he was hired he’s going to have the toughest team in the country from both a mental and physical standpoint. The offseason workouts have been part one of that building process, and now the coaches will need to instill some confidence during spring practices.” – Jason Suchomel, Orangebloods.com