Curt Cignetti’s remarkable coaching performance this season will be remembered as one of the greatest debuts in college football history. Leading Indiana to an impressive 11-1 record, Cignetti’s exceptional achievement earned him a rare A++ grade in the USA TODAY Sports evaluation of first-year FBS coaches from the 2024 season. Setting a new wins record for the program and elevating Indiana to unprecedented success, Cignetti has rightfully been hailed as the FBS Coach of the Year.
Utah State fell just short of bowl eligibility following their loss to Hawaii, leaving them one win away from reaching the milestone. The program had not exceeded four wins in a season since 2016. The departure of one of the most successful coaches of this era was a significant blow for UNM.
Bob Chesney led James Madison to an 8-4 record, highlighted by a notable victory over North Carolina in non-conference play. However, the team struggled in the Sun Belt, losing four games and failing to make an impact in the Group of Five’s playoff race.
Kalen DeBoer guided Alabama to a 9-3 season, with wins against strong teams like Georgia, South Carolina, LSU, and Missouri. Despite some successes, a disappointing loss to Oklahoma kept the team out of the playoff, highlighting the challenges of the post-Nick Saban era.
Sherrone Moore’s leadership at Michigan resulted in a 7-5 record, with a key win against Ohio State boosting the team’s performance. The season, marked by missed opportunities and offensive struggles, was salvaged by the victory over their rival.
Bryant Vincent’s Louisiana-Monroe ended the season with a 5-7 record, exceeding expectations after being picked to finish last in the Sun Belt. However, a midseason slump after a strong start left fans disappointed.
Jedd Fisch’s debut at Washington resulted in a 6-6 season, with the team struggling in the latter part of the schedule. Despite a blowout loss to Oregon, the team’s performance was seen as acceptable given the challenges faced during the transition.
Willie Fritz faced a 4-8 season at Houston, marking only his second losing season since 2017. Offensive weaknesses were evident throughout the season, but signs of resilience suggested a potential turnaround under Fritz’s leadership.
Scotty Walden led Texas-El Paso to a 3-9 season, showing improvement in the second half with notable wins. Despite facing tough competition, the team displayed progress on the offensive side.
Trent Bray’s Oregon State ended with a 5-7 record, facing setbacks against teams like Nevada, California, and Air Force. The season was considered a step back given the team’s schedule and performance.
Jeff Choate’s Nevada struggled to a 3-10 season, finishing last in the Mountain West despite a more competitive showing. Close losses to several opponents highlighted the team’s potential for improvement.
Jonathan Smith’s Michigan State closed with a 5-7 season, with key wins against Iowa and others. However, a critical loss to Rutgers in the season finale prevented the team from reaching a postseason appearance.
Sean Lewis’ San Diego State finished with a 3-9 record, failing to score significantly against FBS opponents. The team’s three wins marked their lowest total since 2008, reflecting a challenging season under Lewis’ leadership.
In the realm of college football coaching debuts, the 2022 season brought a mix of highs, lows, and everything in between for several first-year coaches. Let’s take a closer look at how these new faces navigated their inaugural campaigns on the gridiron.
Derek Mason of Middle Tennessee State kicked off his coaching tenure with a record of 3-9, marking the fewest wins by a first-year coach since 1945. Despite being picked fourth in the preseason Conference USA poll, Mason’s squad struggled, securing victories only against Kennesaw State and UTEP. The season was marred by a string of blowout losses, with all nine defeats coming by double digits, and all but one by a margin of at least 17 points.
Jay Sawvel took the reins at Wyoming and guided the team to a 3-9 record. While the season showed promise with wins in November over New Mexico and Washington State, Sawvel faced challenges with several close losses, including a near-upset against Boise State. As he looks towards the offseason, Sawvel aims to apply the hard-earned lessons from his debut season to propel Wyoming back into contention within the competitive Mountain West Conference.
Brent Brennan’s first year at Arizona resulted in a 4-8 record, falling short of preseason expectations. Despite being ranked No. 21 in the preseason Coaches Poll and fifth in the Big 12 poll, the Wildcats finished near the bottom of the conference standings. November proved to be particularly tough for Arizona, as they suffered lopsided defeats against Central Florida, TCU, and in-state rival Arizona State. While not reaching the level of disappointment seen at Florida State, Arizona’s season stood out as one of the major letdowns in the FBS.
Jeff Lebby faced a challenging debut season at Mississippi State, finishing with a 2-10 record. The former offensive coordinator at Mississippi and Oklahoma managed wins against Eastern Kentucky and Massachusetts, but struggled to secure victories elsewhere. Mississippi State faced a tough non-conference matchup against Toledo, resulting in a significant defeat, and stumbled in all eight SEC games, each loss coming by double digits.
As the season concludes, the performances of these first-year coaches offer valuable insights into the demanding world of college football. Each coach faced unique challenges and opportunities, showcasing resilience and determination in the face of adversity. With the offseason ahead, these coaches will no doubt reflect on their debut seasons, eager to make adjustments and improvements as they strive to lead their teams to greater success in the future.
In the ever-evolving landscape of college football coaching, the first year at a new school can be a pivotal moment that sets the tone for the seasons to come. As these coaches continue to grow and develop their programs, fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see how they rise to the challenges and capitalize on the opportunities that lie ahead.
