Bill BelichickMack BrownThe biggest hire of the cycle. Not since Deion Sanders landed at Colorado two years ago has a hire transcended sports, but Bill Belichick might just be bigger because of his incredible career. You know the resume (six Super Bowl rings), but the question will be whether his plan can translate to college football. The sport is evolving into a semi-pro model, and with front offices now the norm, Belichick has an opportunity to land elite talent immediately with his drawing power, a $20 million NIL war chest and a staff of NFL personnel. Will it work? He certainly has the support. Grade: A
Barry Odom (UNLV coach)Ryan WaltersOdom won 19 games in two years at UNLV, where he led the Rebels to unprecedented success, including back-to-back appearances in the Mountain West Championship Game. He has strong ties to the Midwest after serving as Missouri’s coach (2016-19) and brings Purdue something it has lacked: a proven coach with a winning repetition. Grade: A
…..
