Grading 2022 FBS College Football Hires

Deion Sanders – Colorado (hired 12/3/2022)

No head coach on this list had a bigger magnifying glass on him during the last two years than Sanders. And while he has only gone 13-12, Colorado was 9-4 in 2024 and the program is back on that national radar. After dealing with NFL rumors, Sanders recently signed a five-year, $54 million contract extension, which makes him one of the highest paid head coaches in the country.

Grade: B+

Jeff Brohm – Louisville (hired 12/7/2022)

Brohm’s hire and return to Louisville, after playing quarterback for the Cardinals, made sense to everyone. And he has not disappointed with a 19-8 record, two bowl trips and a Sun Bowl victory over Washington. His one setback thus far has been winning the big game. The Cardinals lost to Florida State in the 2023 ACC Championship Game and then fell to Notre Dame, Miami and SMU in 2024.

Grade: B+

Matt Rhule – Nebraska (hired 11/26/2022)

After proving himself as a college coach at Temple and Baylor, Rhule was hired by Nebraska to revitalize a dormant program. His 12-13 overall record won’t impress many people, but there was marked improvement in 2024, with a 7-6 finish and the first bowl game since 2016. Rhule’s third season at Temple and Baylor brought big results, so everyone in Lincoln is hoping for the same in 2025.

Grade: B

Brent Key – Georgia Tech (hired 11/29/2022)

After the firing of Geoff Collins during the 2022 season, Key was the interim coach for eight games which earned him the official job on November 29^th. Key, who played at Georgia Tech, has stabilized the program while leading them to a 14-12 record and two bowl trips. The next step is to see if he can move the Yellow Jackets into the upper tier of the ACC.

Grade: B

Hugh Freeze – Auburn (hired 11/28/2022)

After mostly successful coaching stops at Ole Miss and Liberty, expectations were  high for Freeze’s return to the SEC. Thus far he has gone 11-14 and dealt with inconsistent quarterback play which has kept the Tigers in the middle of the SEC pack. Tigers’ fans were hoping for more and still expect more.

Grade: C-

Luke Fickell – Wisconsin (hired 11/27/2022)

After leading Cincinnati to a 57-18 record in six seasons, Fickell seemed like the perfect hire for the Badgers. However, his 12-13 record has raised more questions than answers. The direction of one of the most stable and consistent programs in the country over the last 30 years is in doubt, which is directly on Fickell’s shoulders.

Grade: D

Scott Satterfield – Cincinnati (hired 12/5/2022)

Satterfield, who replaced Fickell, has experienced his own disappointments with the Bearcats. Taking over a program that had gone 53-11 over the previous five seasons, Satterfield has led them to an 8-16 record. Yes, these two seasons were in the Big 12 instead of the AAC, but the decline has been drastic and quick. Satterfield needs to right the ship quickly or his tenure with the Bearcats will be over sooner than later.

Grade: D

Also of note: 

Ryan Walters was fired after two seasons at Purdue (5-19)

Troy Taylor was fired after two seasons at Stanford (6-18)