(STATS) – When the coaching carousel stopped spinning in FCS college football this offseason, the many schools involved – an incredible 25 for the second straight offseason – didn’t just stand out.
The many big names did as well.
Big-name programs, including FCS dynasty North Dakota State, 2016 FCS champ James Madison and 2018 national semifinalist Maione, underwent change. There were big-name hires, including Mark Hudspeth at Austin Peay, Mike London at William & Mary and Tyrone Wheatley Sr. at Morgan State. Also, four coaches moved on to lead FBS schools – North Dakota State’s Chris Klieman (Kansas State), James Madison’s Mike Houston (East Carolina), Austin Peay’s Will Healy (Charlotte) and Chattanooga’s Tom Arth (Akron).
Following another wild offseason of change, here are the new FCS coaches in 2019:
Austin Peay – Mark Hudspeth: The Governors were pleased to get a proven coach who went 95-59 at North Alabama and Louisiana-Lafayette.
Brown – James Perry: The 1999 Ivy League player of the year at Brown was only 15 miles away at Bryant.
Bryant – Chris Merritt: To replace Perry, the Northeast Conference program reached into the high school ranks, where Merritt was 172-45 in 18 seasons at Miami power Christopher Columbus.
Bucknell – Dave Cecchini: Just two years ago, Cecchini was the Pioneer Football League coach of the year at Valparaiso.
Central Connecticut State – interim coach Ryan McCarthy: As he seeks to secure the permanent job, McCarthy will keep his offensive coordinator’s role as well.
Charleston Southern – Autry Denson: After a playing career from 1995-1998, Denson left Notre Dame as its all-time leading rusher.
Chattanooga – Rusty Wright: After spending the last two seasons at Georgia State, Wright returns to his alma mater, where he played tight end and later was an assistant coach.
Drake – Todd Stepsis: The transition has been smooth following Stepsis’ promotion from defensive coordinator.
Eastern Illinois – Adam Cushing: The 25th coach in EIU history spent the past 15 years on Northwestern’s staff.
Elon – Tony Trisciani: Elon’s former defensive coordinator has 13 seasons of experience in CAA Football, including at Villanova and New Hampshire.
Howard – Ron Prince: Highly experienced, Prince was 17-20 at Kansas State from 2006-08 in between Bill Snyder’s two coaching stints.
Jackson State – John Hendrick: The interim tag was removed after Hendrick had a successful final month last season, winning two of three games.
James Madison – Curt Cignetti: Really, no pressure: Cignetti moves across the CAA from Elon to replace Mike Houston, who was 37-6 and reached two FCS championship games the last three seasons.
Lehigh – Tom Gilmore: Back as the dean of Patriot League coaches, Gilmore was 72-81 with a 2009 league title at Holy Cross in 14 seasons from 2004-17.
Maine – Nick Charlton: To replace Joe Harasymiak, Maine stuck with a young coach, promoting its 30-year-old offensive coordinator.
McNeese – Sterlin Gilbert: After coaching under Dino Babers and Charlie Strong, Gilbert gets his first turn as a head coach.
Morgan State – Tyrone Wheatley Sr.: The former Michigan and NFL running back has coached the position for four college programs and two NFL franchises.
North Carolina Central – Trei Oliver: As a collegiate assistant coach, Oliver’s teams have won at least seven games in 14 of his 15 seasons.
North Dakota State – Matt Entz: With a promotion from defensive coordinator, Entz takes over the national champion from seven of the last eight seasons.
Northern Arizona – Chris Ball: The former Memphis defensive coordinator has over 30 seasons of coaching experience.
Sacramento State – Troy Taylor: The co-offensive coordinator on Eastern Washington’s 2016 national semifinalist squad, Taylor is back in the Big Sky after serving as Utah offensive coordinator.
Stephen F. Austin – Colby Carthel: A 2017 Division II national title at Texas-Commerce is part of Carthel’s strong resume.
Texas Southern – Clarence McKinney: McKinney has spent the last decade as an assistant coach to Kevin Sumlin at Houston, Texas A&M and Arizona.
Valparaiso – Landon Fox: After spending the last 11 years as Dayton’s defensive coordinator and secondary coach, Fox steps across the PFL to a rival.
William & Mary – Mike London: The Tribe went with more experience – London won a 2009 FCS national title at Richmond and coached Virginia and Howard – after Jimmye Laycock retired following 39 seasons.
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