Group of Five coaches primed to make move into Power Five

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It’s still too early in the season to determine which Power Five schools might be making a coaching change by the end of the year but if the past has taught us anything, it’s that coaching changes are bound to happen come November.

With that in mind, we take a look at a handful of Group of Five coaches who have already helped their stock with a strong start to the 2018 season and could be the next Tom Herman or Scott Frost to jump from the Group of Five to the Power Five level.

What he’s done: Brown has made quite the name for himself at Troy over the past few years, leading the Trojans to an upset over LSU in 2017 and following that up with a big win at Nebraska this past weekend. His one bump in the road was a home loss to Boise State, but that’s not the type of thing that would scare off a big program.

Brown is a Kentucky native who played and coached for the Wildcats, so he has SEC ties. He also spent time as the offensive coordinator at Texas Tech, so he’s familiar with Texas. Those experiences should only help him in the eyes of decision-makers at big-time schools and his 27-14 head coaching record is also impressive.

Farrell’s take: After the Nebraska win, he’s probably the biggest name out there right now. He has recruiting experience at Power Five programs, he’s beaten power programs or at least teams no one expected him to beat and he has an infectious personality that will help recruiting and motivating and developing players.

What he’s done: Littrell is in his third year at North Texas and has taken the school from a 1-11 record prior to his arrival to a 3-0 record in 2018. This past weekend the Mean Green went to Arkansas and blew out the Razorbacks, a huge win that is emblematic of how quickly things have changed for the program under Littrell.

An Oklahoma native who played for the Sooners, Littrell has coaching experience at Kansas, Texas Tech, Arizona, Indiana and North Carolina, giving him a resume that includes stops at four of the Power Five conferences. If the Mean Green keep rolling, Littrell should be a hot name on the coaching market.

Farrell’s take: Just behind Brown when it comes to up-and-coming names out there, perhaps he should be ahead of him with the amazing turnaround he’s led. He’s been well traveled, has recruited at a Power Five level in many areas and is clearly a great leader as a coach. Watch for his name to continue to rise.

What he’s done: Heupel is just two games into his head coaching career but he picked up right where Frost left off at UCF, playing an exciting offensive style and putting up big numbers. The former Heisman Trophy runner-up will need to continue to win games in order to put his name in the conversation for a major job this year, but he could be an attractive name to watch in the future.

His past coaching stops include an eight-year stint at his alma mater Oklahoma, as well as two years at Missouri, where he’s credited with help developing future NFL Draft pick Drew Lock. A young coach with an exciting offensive identity always excites decision-makers at major programs and Heupel fits that bill.

Farrell’s take: Is it too early? Nope, never too early for a former big name as a player who has experience in the Big 12 and SEC, and is taking over a power program in the Group of Five. His could be fast-tracked to a Power Five program with a really strong year or two, and could have the best resume of anyone on this list if you want to argue about it.

What he’s done: Leipold took an unconventional route to FBS coaching, spending eight years at the Division III level coaching his alma mater Wisconsin-Whitewater before moving to Buffalo in 2015. He undertook a massive rebuilding effort with the Bulls and is starting to see the fruits of that labor as the school is now 3-0 in 2018. If his team can beat Rutgers this week – the Bulls are five-point favorites – it could only improve Leipold’s stock. His past stops at Wisconsin and Nebraska might also help his case given his history as a recruiter in Big Ten country.

Farrell’s take: He’s not a big name but he’s done a good job, has those Big Ten ties and could be a guy who in a couple years takes over a struggling Big Ten program. Another big win over Rutgers could push his name out there further, even if the Scarlet Knights aren’t the best team in the world. This guy can coach and has done it at many levels.

What he’s done: Fickell made the leap from his alma mater at Ohio State to nearby Cincinnati and after a 4-8 season in 2017, the Bearcats have shot out of the gate to a 3-0 start in 2018, including a season-opening win over UCLA. Fickell is the rarity on this list given the fact that he already spent a year as a head coach for the Buckeyes, albeit on an interim basis after Jim Tressel’s firing in 2011. He went 6-7 as Ohio State's head coach, which was sandwiched between Tressel's 12-1 season in 2010 and Urban Meyer's 12-0 season in 2012.

But Fickell has a championship pedigree from his time with the Buckeyes and deep recruiting ties in Big Ten country and beyond. If he can put together a solid season this year with the Bearcats, it could be enough for a Power Five school to take a chance on him.

Farrell’s take: Fickell is a big name and his experience with Ohio State will go a long way. What would be even better would be a breakout season and so far he’s off to a strong start in 2018. He can recruit at a high level, he’s an excellent coach and he relates well to players so watch out for him if the Bearcats continue to have success.

Skip Holtz – Louisiana Tech

Doc Holldiay – Marshall

Chris Creighton – Eastern Michigan

Charlie Strong – USF

Mike Norvell – Memphis

Lane Kiffin – FAU

Nick Rolovich – Hawaii

Tony Sanchez – UNLV