Ever since its founding in 1953, the ACC historically has been a top conference in the NCAA. With the rise of Clemson football and other schools, it’s easy to see why more and more highly ranking recruits choose ACC schools to continue their careers. The status of the gentlemen at the helm of these programs ranges from obvious to needing clarification. Welcome to this season’s edition of the ACC Coaching Pyramid.
The Best: Dabo Swinney (Clemson)
The run Dabo Swinney has had while at the helm in Clemson is something truly remarkable. Dabo Swinney turned an eight-wins per year program into the most elite program in the country.
In his ten years at Clemson, he’s gone 116-30, has coached eight straight ten-win seasons, 5 conference titles (4 in a row), and has won two national championships in the span of three years. It’s easy to see why he’s the best.
He is also currently in the middle of compiling the greatest recruiting class of all time. He’s at the top of any coaching pyramid, let alone the ACC Coaching Pyramid.
The Worst: Willie Taggart (FSU)
There is a massive part of me that still wonders “what in sam-heck was FSU thinking when they hired this man?”
It amazes me how a school who had back to back greats in Bobby Bowden and Jimbo Fisher would settle for Taggart. Yes, I am aware he has only been in Tallahassee for one year, but if you look at his past tenures you’ll understand he’s a fraud.
In three years at Western Kentucky (2-10, 7-5, 7-6), three in South Florida (2-10, 4-8, 8-5, 10-2) and one in Oregon (7-6), he was a losing coach at the Group of 5 level and only went 7-6 with Oregon; an Oregon team that had the talents of Justin Herbert, Royce Freeman, and Dillon Mitchell.
Now he’s at FSU… with one of the most talented rosters in the country, yet in his first year, he’s lost the longest winning season and bowl appearances streaks of all time.
Underrated: Dino Babers (Syracuse)
Where I was critical of Willie, I give Dino high praise. Dino stepped into a Syracuse locker room that did not have a winning season since 2013.
In his first two years, the team did poorly as they went 4-8 both seasons. But you knew something was in the air in upstate New York after Syracuse shocked the world in their 27-24 upset win over #2 Clemson. The season following that win soon fell to shambles, but people around the country felt something was brewing.
In 2018, Cuse went 10-3 with a bowl win over #15 West Virginia. Capping off their best season since 2001. The Orange may have lost some key players, but Dino has Syracuse believing. Believing in him, the team, and the future, his speeches are all over YouTube, the man is an amazing motivator and I have the feeling he has something up his sleeve for 2019.
Overrated: Dave Doeren (NC State)
Other than Dabo Swinney, Dave Doeren is the longest tenure coach on this list. In his six seasons at NC State he has gone 43-34. And in those six season he has only finished ranked once.
The reason why Doeren is my most overrated coach in the ACC Coaching Pyramid is simple; he’s underwhelming. NC State is located in a very advantageous spot when it comes to recruiting.
They’re in-state competition is Wake Forest, Duke, and UNC. Two of those schools are private and the other is in the NCAA’s crosshairs. They also can reach into South Carolina and Georgia to the south and Virginia and Pennsylvania to the north, yet they struggle mightily to pull in top talent.
Along with underwhelming success in recruiting they also never play into the hype they are given every year. As of late, NC State has been touted as an ACC contender, however, only once have they finished in the top two in the Atlantic.
Off the cusps of back to back 9-4 seasons, I just do not see anything more for NC State with Doeren at the helm.