Analyzing the 2011-12 FBS head coaching changes

Tim Beckman, Illinois (for Ron Zook): While Toledo did not win a MAC championship in Beckman’s three years at the school, he led the Rockets to back-to-back bowl berths after inheriting a mess in his first season. He has a defensive background, which should help because the Illini played well on that side of the ball the last two seasons. With Beckman, you’ll get the opposite that you received from Zook: consistency.

Todd Graham, Arizona State (for Dennis Erickson): Graham’s departure from Pitt was ugly, and he clearly wasn’t Arizona State’s top choice. But he proved at Tulsa that he can coach, and his offense will fit in well in the Pac-12. He just may have a hard time with recruits skeptical that he’ll jump to another job — until he’s actually in Tempe for more than a year.

ICONBob Davie will once again be back on the sideline after serving as an ESPN analyst.

Bob Davie, New Mexico (for Mike Locksley): Sure, it’s been a long time since Davie was roaming the sidelines. And we became comfortable with him in the broadcast booth. But the Lobos need a strong leader with a commitment to doing things the right way. Davie’s time at Notre Dame wasn’t as bad as it’s made out to be, as not many people could have lived up to the expectations following Lou Holtz.

Jim McElwain, Colorado State (for Steve Fairchild): McElwain is ready to be a head coach after serving under Pat Hill and Nick Saban. The Rams can get talent, and McElwain’s credentials should serve well on the recruiting trail. With the MWC looking for new top-tier teams with the departures of Boise State and TCU, why can’t Colorado State emerge?

Tim DeRuyter, Fresno State (for Pat Hill): Despite Fresno State taking a step back over the last few years, not many people are going to be able to live up to what Pat Hill did with the Bulldogs. But DeRuyter, who was considered a possible replacement at Air Force when Troy Calhoun inevitably took a bigger job, is a strong personality that could get the most out of his talent at Fresno. And motivation seemed to be an issue recently with the Bulldogs.

Ellis Johnson, Southern Mississippi (for Larry Fedora): Johnson knows the state of Mississippi very well after serving as the defensive coordinator at Southern Miss and Mississippi State. And this past season, Johnson turned South Carolina into a fierce defensive unit that often helped carry an offense that struggled to find consistency. He’ll inherit a program that Fedora built up nicely, so immediate success is expected.

Matt Campbell, Toledo (for Tim Beckman): The Rockets hired from within to replace Beckman, and you can’t really argue with that rationale as Campbell coordinated the best offense in the MAC. He’s only 32 years old, and this is his first head job. However, you can’t ask for a better conference for a first-timer than the MAC. And Beckman didn’t leave the cupboard bare, securing the best recruiting classes in the conference the last two seasons.

Norm Chow, Hawaii (for Greg McMackin): Finally, Chow gets his shot to be a head coach. And it comes in his own backyard, which is extra special. Don’t look at his latter years with UCLA and Utah, where injuries and other personnel issues prevented him from leading prolific offenses. Just look at the body of work throughout his career. The only concern is whether he’s able to put enough defensive-minded people around him as well as deal with the rigors of being a head coach.

Tony Levine, Houston (for Kevin Sumlin): Levine brings a sense of continuity to the Houston program because he was hired from within. The players love his energy, and the administration would not have elevated him if it didn’t believe he could continue the roll this team is on. However, can he succeed without Case Keenum, working in Sumlin’s shadow and without having been a coordinator or head coach?

Carl Pelini, Florida Atlantic (for Howard Schnellenberger): Pelini didn’t really get the most out of the Nebraska defense the last three seasons, but he has the Pelini last name and he was able to sell the FAU administration with his passion. I expected FAU to go with either a more established head coach or a high-rising assistant, but Pelini certainly will have time to implement his vision.

Curtis Johnson, Tulane (for Bob Toledo): The New Orleans Saints receivers coach is a former assistant at Miami who has a tough job ahead of him despite playing in the talent-rich area of New Orleans. Tulane is a program looking for direction, and the jury is out whether Johnson can provide it.

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