I would wait before crowning him. Let's see what he can do once Caleb is gone. He's either going to be the offensive Saban or yet another Jimbo whose only claim to fame was Winston.
What's so wrong with buying a diamond in the rough... from a second hand conference? Lol. I think we'll be fine later rather than sooner. There is a buffing... err... learning curve coming from lower conferences to the the SEC. I think Napier will get most of it working next year. But much of it depends on the recruiting class and the transfer portal. I'd also like to see (please yes) if he shuffles some of his assistants around too.
Riley coached Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and Jalen Hurts before he got to Caleb Williams. He has as steady of a track record as anyone in the game. And that doesn't even include Spencer Rattler, who wasn't good enough for Riley, but is still a mid level SEC QB. Regarding Jimbo Fisher, his luck ran out but Jameis Winston isn't his only claim to fame. He also coached Christian Ponder and EJ Manuel.
Lincoln Riley bailed on Oklahoma because he was afraid of the SEC and took his proven quarterback with him. Sonny Dykes is more interestibg because he is doing better this year than any year in his career. I think TCU drops off next year
Riley took not just his QB either. Some other key players left with him and Oklahoma suffered from it. He is a good coach, don't get me wrong.
My daughter goes to TCU so I have been following them for the past few years. How have they turned it around so fast? I think Dykes is a good coach but take a look at the depth chart. It is abnormally "senior" in terms of experience. If I counted right 10 starters are transfers. 2022 TCU Horned Frogs Football Depth Chart | Ourlads.com Regarding schedule they have beaten twice the number of power 5 teams (6) with a winning record than Alabama has. I know we always want to yell SEC! SEC! SEC! but the below links would say that TCU's schedule strength is tougher than anyone in the playoff conversation College football team ratings 2022 - Jeff Sagarin Ratings College Football Strength of Schedule Rankings If you still think that is impossible, this link will make you feel better. It has TCU at 9 but behind TN, AL, MIch, OSU, and some other big boys NCAA College Football Strength of Schedule Rankings & Ratings I leave you with this. During the TCU/Iowa State game, the announcer said that TCU has had only 31 players that have started a game this year. Not sure if they were including special teams but basically they have had very few injuries and a consistent rotation among OL
I share the OP curiosity when it comes to offensive "scheme" coaches making improvements right away as opposed to "culture" coaches. Dan Mullen's first year looked a lot better than Nick Saban's. SS came into a team that was talented and was the best team in the SEC... It also seems like defense takes longer to make instinctual...Our boys did some thinking on defense this year.
SC had a huge advantage with Riley. The best qb in the country transferred with him, and his best WR, and he didn’t need to learn an entirely new system.
I haven't watched much of TCU only highlights where they seemed to be pulling comebacks to keep their unbeaten record going, I could be wrong but I expect they are going to get found out in the college football play offs, their fans have had a very exciting season to cheer on however!
Caleb Williams, in the games I have seen them play, is head and shoulders above all the SEC QB’s. Hooker being the only close comparison, but Williams is bigger and stronger. Oklahoma must hate Lincoln Riley!
Max Duggan (TCU QB) had started 29 games prior to this season. And as mentioned above, 21 of 22 starters are experienced upperclassmen. The Big 12 is very down this year. When your toughest opponents are Baylor and Kansas State, and a weak Texas, you have a favorable schedule. Caleb Williams started most of last season for Oklahoma, and will win the Heisman if he beats Utah in the PAC 12 title game. Lincoln Riley, a proven head coach with lots of P5 experience, brought in 17 players to USCw through the portal. That’s 17 players that he was able to hand-pick to run his system on offense and defense. One of them was the 2021 Billitnikoff winner. The PAC 12 is down once again. Oregon is a pretender (again), UCLA is inconsistent, the Arizona schools, Stanford and Colorado are a mess, and Washington didn’t have to play Utah or USCw. Only Utah played smash-mouth football, and they lost to the Gators (and UCLA, and Oregon). Strong QB play and a weak schedule. That’s how to have a lot of success with a new head coach.
Recruiting rankings last 5yrs: USCw TCU 70 - 45 7 - 53 63 - 23 20 - 32 4 - 25 A HC who runs/calls his own well designed passing (in particular) offense can make a big-big deference quickly, imho. It’s why these types of guys are in such high demand every cycle. Both programs hit gold right out of the gate with their new guy. Can they continue to build and sustain at this level, only time will tell.
Not so sure about TCU, but I have no doubts that USC will once again be a player on the national scene. Riley was able to bring his qb with him and secure portal talent because he is a very good recruiter and a coach players want to play for, especially offensive guys (and USC opened the $$$ coffers).
Do you really want to know or is this another bashing our coaches thread? You’re not choosing to compare Cristobal or Venables who were both set up to succeed.
Are you asking me?? I didn’t compare them to anyone, including our coach. Mario & Brent failed miserably this season. Lincoln & Sonny soared, I simply asked why was that.
Two totally different scenarios. Riley is a playoff coach and he killed it in the portal with his own players at the most crucial positions. I don’t know much about TCU besides having a friend that was on the dance team, but I would guess Duggan and a weak Big XII had a lot to do with it. I would be shocked if they do anything in the playoffs. Just saying, if you are really curious, it’s easy to figure out. We didn’t go out and got Riley or Kelly. We got the next up and comer and there gonna be some growing pains. Shoot I’ve never known UF to hire anyone that wasn’t an up and comer. It’s a snapshot…if you compare Mullen or McElwain’s first year to Kirby’s or Saban’s, who would you think would be in it at the end? Let’s not count Billy out yet.
This isn’t about Billy, at all. Stop with the if you are really curious nonsense. smh! I asked what others thought, period. Who’s counting Billy out? How does that even get in this?? It’s damn sure not me, I absolutely love the guy!
Maybe I misread your intent, but how can it not be a knock on our coach? You didn’t post that Riley lost to Utah who we beat or that we crushed the potential SEC coach of the year in Beamer. I will remind you Heupel was coach of the year mid season, then Kelly, now it’s Beamer. Success is a journey year 1 is just a milestone.
