Athlon Sports: Ranking the Sun Belt's College Football Coaches for 2023

[Cajunrunner]

The Sun Belt is arguably the top Group of 5 conference entering the 2023 college football season. Conference expansion has certainly played a role, but a quick look at the coach rankings also shows the programs in the league are doing a good job of hiring new leaders to help elevate their team. Troy hit a home run with its hire of Jon Sumrall last season, while South Alabama nailed its hire of Kane Wommack in the '21 cycle. Clay Helton (Georgia Southern), Will Hall (Southern Miss), and Charles Huff (Marshall) are three other recent hires thriving in the league going into '23.

1. Jon Sumrall, Troy
In terms of best debuts by new coaches last season, not many had a better first year than Sumrall.

2. Kane Wommack, South Alabama
South Alabama is a program on the rise under Wommack's direction. The Jaguars went 5-7 in his debut in '21 but jumped to 10-3 last season

5. Shawn Clark, Appalachian State
The '23 season is crucial for Clark to show last year's 6-6 record was just a one-year blip.

8. Will Hall, Southern Miss
Despite a revolving door at quarterback due to injuries in his first two years at the helm, it's clear Hall has Southern Miss on the right track going into '23.

9. Terry Bowden, ULM
ULM is one of the toughest jobs in the Sun Belt, but Bowden has managed to lead this program to small signs of progress despite the 8-16 record over the last two years.

12. Michael Desormeaux, Louisiana
As a Louisiana native and former Ragin' Cajun quarterback, Desormeaux is the perfect fit to lead the way in Lafayette. However, it's tough to gauge where Louisiana is going into his second season. Desormeaux had big shoes to fill in replacing Billy Napier, and the program slipped from Sun Belt champion in '21 to 6-7 last fall. Considering the personnel turnover from '21 to '22 and even going into '23, Desormeaux needs a little time to build this program in his vision.

https://athlonsports.com/college-foo...l-coaches-2023

[KajunKrazy]

I have a hard time with 12. I realize the author probably knows none of this. Des lost 45 people on his roster from 21 that wasn’t there in 22. That’s roughly 50% of his scholarships. One was replacing a very good 3 year starter at QB. And he had a depleted offensive line due to injury. Yet he still found a way to get bowl eligible.

Whoever wrote the story simple looked at wins and loses.

[CajunVic]

I have a hard time with 12. I realize the author probably knows none of this. Des lost 45 people on his roster from 21 that wasn’t there in 22. That’s roughly 50% of his scholarships. One was replacing a very good 3 year starter at QB. And he had a depleted offensive line due to injury. Yet he still found a way to get bowl eligible.

Whoever wrote the story simple looked at wins and loses.

. . . sort of like many of the people who come here to complain about CMD . . . pretty sad I should say . . . Get your cheese �� if you are one of them . . .

[Cajunrunner]

I have a hard time with 12. I realize the author probably knows none of this. Des lost 45 people on his roster from 21 that wasn’t there in 22. That’s roughly 50% of his scholarships. One was replacing a very good 3 year starter at QB. And he had a depleted offensive line due to injury. Yet he still found a way to get bowl eligible.

Whoever wrote the story simple looked at wins and loses.

I tend to agree. Dez still has work to prove to be in the top half of the SBC, in my unprofessional opinion. However, I don’t believe he’s as low as 12.

A year of experience under his belt, I think he’ll show to be a top half head coach.

[Louisiana84]

Will Hall at #8? He's way better than that...

[Datt Meggs]

Pin this up your office there coach des. Ouch

[CajunEXPRESS]

Will Hall at #8? He's way better than that...

Will will transition into a much bigger job soon.