CSU and Southern Miss Hires Lack Sizzle

Two of the uglier coaching dismissals this offseason occurred at Colorado State and Southern Miss. In both cases, long time successful and loyal coaches were pushed aside with an angry reaction from alums. Now both have hired coaches that will likely have success at their new schools, but lack the sizzle to warrant ousting the guys they are replacing.

Southern Miss brought on Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Larry Fedora. The guy is bordering on deserving the "offensive genius" label. He has spent the last nine years as a D-1A offensive coordinator, spending three years at Oklahoma State, Florida, and Middle Tennessee State. His most recent Cowboy squad finished the season ninth in total offense and repeated as seventh in rushing. While at Florida he guided two top 25 offenses by relying heavily on the pass. His last MTSU team was seventh in rushing and fifth in total offense. He was announced as Ron Zook's first offensive coordinator at Illinois, but lured away with Jimbo Fischer type cash to Oklahoma State (approx $400k a year). He'll put points on the scoreboard in Hattiesburg and compete for Conference USA title almost immediately. But that isn't much better than what Jeff Bower had been doing for years. I don't see Fedora taking the next step and having 10+ win season regularly. If he does, I'd suspect him to jump to a BCS job.

Steve Fairchild is the man tabbed to take over for Fort Collins' legend Sunny Lubick. He's returning home so maybe he would stay even with success. He played quarterback for the Rams and later became a member of Lubick's first staff coaching his old position. He was on the sidelines at CSU for all three of the Rams top 20 finishes, two as offensive coordinator. He then held three NFL jobs. First as running backs coach for the Bills, then offensive coordinator for the NFL Rams, and finally his current position as offensive coordinator for the Bills. He'll finish out his duties in Buffalo this season. When he comes back to Fort Collins he'll be able to bring CSU back to being competitive with the Mountain West's best - a conference that has improved through the years partly to keep up with Sunny and the Rams. Top 20 finishes again will be tough, but doable. But like Fedora, its is questionable to think that he will take steps beyond what Lubick did.

The careers of Bower and Lubick will be remember by their respective universities for many years, despite the stains created with their departures. Their replacements will likely never be able to coach their way out from their predecessor's shadows.