11/2/2004 - Football
Coaches Who Are Getting It Done In 2004

??????The only coaches I've ever heard openly brag
about their coaching abilities have been former
Maryland basketball coach Lefty Driesell, former NFL
coach Jerry Glanville, and current University of
Delaware football coach K.C. Keeler.
?????????Good coaching is often over looked if your
not USC or Oklahoma, but there are several jobs that
deserve some mention as we close in on the fourth
quarter of this football season.
?????????The top five coaching jobs of 2004:
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?????????5. Frank Beamer Virginia Tech- Virginia Tech
had a ton of turmoil in the off season. After the
opener against USC, Beamer ditched the experienced
wide outs in favor of the talented younger ones and
Tech has taken off. Bryan Randall has for the most
part made Tech fans forget Marcus Vick was even on the
roster.
?????????4. Tommy Tuberville Auburn- Yes I know his
team was loaded a year after being picked as a
pre-season #1. However, you have your president go out
and talk to another coach incognito and see how
comfortable you feel and how your kids respond. His
ability to get Jason Campbell to just play and not
worry about losing the game has made a big difference
for the Tigers, in addition to their automotive
backfield.
?????????3. Bobby Ross Army- If you had seen Army
play at all under Todd Berry, you know how bad they
were. Without significant talent, Ross has won more
games this year than he had any right too, though
losing to East Carolina was a small step back.
?????????2. Paul Johnson Navy- Any one can trip over
themselves into a winning season. Winning in
back-to-back years at a service academy and headed to
a bowl game in consecutive years is quite a feat.
?????????1. Mike Price UTEP- This team had won six
games in the past three years. This year they have
already won six and will head to a bowl. Putting
personal transgressions behind, Price has proven again
that he is a terrific football coach.
?????????Honorable mentions to John Bunting (UNC),
perhaps a job saving win against Miami. Jeff Tedford
(Cal), he may have the second best team in the nation.
Barry Alvarez (Wisconsin), winning with what a times
is a one-dimensional offense, but awesome defense. Dan
Hawkins (Boise State), lost QB Ryan Dinwidde and
hasn't missed a beat thanks to Jared Zabransky. Tom
Amstutz (Toledo), his team lost to Minnesota and
Kansas in its first two games by a combined 126-35.
The Rockets haven't lost since and are headed for a
collision course November 9 at Northern Illinois.
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