First-Year College Football Coaches: Progress Report After Five Weeks

As the 2025 college football season reaches its fifth week, the performance of first-year head coaches varies significantly across programs. UCLA's Bob Chesney has led his team to a 4-0 start, marking the best beginning since 2022, while Penn State's Matt Campbell has faced setbacks, including a loss to Northwestern.

Joel Klatt from FOX Sports evaluates the progress of these coaches, noting that Michigan's Kyle Whittingham is struggling to meet expectations despite a strong defensive reputation. Similarly, Campbell's tenure at Penn State is seen as a rebuilding phase, with recent performances falling short of anticipated standards.

Other coaches like Jon Sumrall at Florida and Morgan Scally at Utah are navigating their own challenges and successes, with Utah currently ranked 12th nationally. Meanwhile, Oklahoma State's Eric Morris is showing promise after a rocky start, and UCLA's Chesney is exceeding expectations with a strong offensive performance. Overall, the first-year coaches are experiencing a mix of achievements and difficulties as the season unfolds.