Rivals.com national recruiting analyst Adam Friedman highlights five ACC coaches that need a strong close to the 2024 recruiting cycle with the Early Signing Period just a few short weeks away.
MORE IN THIS SERIES: Big 12 coaches who need a strong close | Big Ten | SEC
*****
FINAL 2023 TEAM RANKINGS: Comprehensive (overall) ranking | High school/JUCO ranking | Transfer portal ranking
CLASS OF 2024 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals100
TRANSFER PORTAL: Latest news | Transfer portal player ranking | Transfer portal team ranking | Transfer Tracker | Message board
*****
JEFF BROHM, Louisville
How about the job Jeff Brohm has done at Louisville since he got there last year? Louisville finished the 2023 high school recruiting cycle with one of its better classes in recent years, then signed the best transfer class in the ACC and now the Cardinals are putting the finishing touches on a 10-win season and will play in the ACC Championship game this weekend. Brohm and his staff clearly have momentum at Louisville but their 2024 recruiting class ranks in the bottom three of the ACC.
It is very important for Louisville to capitalize on this impressive season with big-time commitments on the recruiting trail. The transfer portal is a big part of Louisville's recruiting strategy but to build a consistent winner the Cardinals need to have more success in the high school ranks.
*****
FRAN BROWN, Syracuse
New Syracuse head coach Fran Brown has a difficult task ahead of him. The Orange have a solid 2024 recruiting class so far, but it will be interesting to see if commits look elsewhere with Brown now leading the charge.
As he assembles his coaching staff there will surely be changes on their recruiting board and it's very likely that Syracuse pursues prospects committed to other schools. Don't be surprised if Brown works on flipping a few prospects before signing day as he tries to change the momentum in upstate New York.
*****
TONY ELLIOTT, Virginia
Just three wins this season was certainly not what the Cavaliers and Tony Elliott were hoping for, but Elliott is a great recruiter and his staff is working hard to make sure it brings in more talent this coming year.
The 2024 recruiting class isn't loaded with stars, but there are a few targets still on the board, even as Virginia turns its attention to the transfer portal. Virginia fans should be excited about defensive end commit Chase Morrison but he is one of only 12 players in this UVA recruiting class. Elliott and his staff have some work to do if they hope to add more impact players before signing day.
*****
JEFF HAFLEY, Boston College
At the beginning of the season Jeff Hafley was on the hot seat, and the temperature was rising through the first four weeks of the season. A win over Virginia in Week 5 started a five-game winning streak that ultimately saved Hafley's job for this season. That being said, Boston College is not setting itself up for a lot of success next year and it is showing on the recruiting trail. The Eagles are ranked last in the ACC team recruiting rankings and hold just eight commitments.
On Tuesday, they lost a pledge from tight end Jaxton Santiago and local receiver Christian Zamor, who had been committed to Boston College since April 2022. Boston College has also lost commitments from defensive back Desman Stephens, who is now committed to USC, and Benjamin Blackburn, who is now committed to Stanford. Momentum is trending the wrong way on the recruiting trail for Boston College so the Eagles better hope they find some hidden gems in the transfer portal.
*****
TBD, Duke
Whoever gets hired by Duke will have their work cut out for them. This is the best Blue Devils recruiting class since the 2016 cycle, so they need to work fast if they hope to hold on to this impressive haul. Quarterback Tyler Cherry and four-star Chase Tyler are the jewels of this recruiting class and seem to be staying patient, but Paul Mencke Jr. is already taking visits and a few other recruits could be looking around as well. The longer Duke takes to hire its next head coach, the more difficult it will be to hold on to these prospects.
