First-Year College Football Coaches: Kiffin Shines, Whittingham Struggles
Week 1 of college football showcased numerous new coaches making their debuts, particularly in the SEC, which saw six coaching changes. Among the notable performances, Lane Kiffin led LSU to a commanding 51-10 victory over Clemson, highlighting a strong running game.
In contrast, Michigan's Kyle Whittingham struggled, with his team managing only six points against Western Michigan. Other coaches also had mixed results, with UCLA's Bob Chesney earning praise for a 45-24 win over California, while Oklahoma State's Eric Morris faced criticism after a disappointing 24-10 loss to Tulsa.
Virginia Tech achieved a significant 73-3 victory over VMI, and Florida's offense shone in a 66-21 win against FAU. Meanwhile, Kentucky and Arkansas had solid performances, though both faced challenges. Overall, the first week provided a mix of promising starts and tough lessons for new coaches.
