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College Football: Predicting the records of every 2016 first-year coach

By Michael Collins

CORAL GABLES, FL - DECEMBER 04: New University of Miami Hurricanes head coach Mark Richt makes the 'U' sign after he was introduced at a press conference at the school on December 4, 2015 in Coral Gables, Florida. (Photo by Joe Skipper/Getty Images)
CORAL GABLES, FL - DECEMBER 04: New University of Miami Hurricanes head coach Mark Richt makes the 'U' sign after he was introduced at a press conference at the school on December 4, 2015 in Coral Gables, Florida. (Photo by Joe Skipper/Getty Images) /
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Nov 19, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; East Carolina Pirates wide receiver Daquan Barnes (82) carries the ball in the second half as UCF Knights defensive back Brendin Straubel (35) defends at Bright House Networks Stadium. East Carolina defeated UCF 44-7. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; East Carolina Pirates wide receiver Daquan Barnes (82) carries the ball in the second half as UCF Knights defensive back Brendin Straubel (35) defends at Bright House Networks Stadium. East Carolina defeated UCF 44-7. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /

American Athletic Conference:

Scottie Montgomery – East Carolina (5-7 overall, 3-5 AAC in 2015)

Career Head Coaching Record: 0-0
Last Stop: Offensive Coordinator, QBs Coach – Duke
Prediction: 7-5, 4-4 AAC

This is a great first head coaching gig for the 38-year-old Montgomery who has shown a lot of promise in his offensive coaching stops at Duke and with the Pittsburgh Steelers. East Carolina is a program with a lot of promise. How successful they are this year will be largely dependent on the defensive coaching staff Montgomery has assembled.

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Willie Fritz – Tulane (3-9 overall, 1-7 AAC in 2015)

Career Head Coaching Record: 154-69
Last Stop: Head Coach – Georgia Southern
Prediction: 4-8, 2-6 AAC

Tulane knocked it out of the park with the hire of Willie Fritz, but it’s going to take some time for this program to be turned around. Fritz won two Division I FCS championships while coaching Sam Houston State, and led Georgia Southern to a Sun Belt Conference championship in his first season there. If anyone can make the Green Wave be feared once more, it’s Fritz, but don’t expect miracles in 2016.

Scott Frost – UCF (0-12 overall, 0-8 AAC in 2015)

Career Head Coaching Record: 0-0
Last Stop: Offensive Coordinator/QBs Coach – Oregon
Prediction: 3-9, 2-6 AAC

There’s nowhere to go but up for first-year, first time head coach Scott Frost. His first career win will also be Central Florida’s first win since Dec. 4, 2014. The Knights went from one of the strongest small programs in the nation to winless in just the course of one season.

Frost obviously has the offensive pedigree, and the Knights were absolutely horrible on offense in 2015, scoring just 167 points all season. It’s a solid hire and there will be some improvement, but a long way still to go.

Next: ACC

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