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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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Dec 4, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Bowling Green Falcons wide receiver Ryan Burbrink (17) rushes on Northern Illinois Huskies safety Marlon Moore (2) in the first half of the MAC Championship at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Bowling Green Falcons wide receiver Ryan Burbrink (17) rushes on Northern Illinois Huskies safety Marlon Moore (2) in the first half of the MAC Championship at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Mid-Atlantic Conference:

Mike Neu – Ball State (3-9 overall, 2-6 MAC in 2015)

Career Head Coaching Record: 39-40 (Arena League)
Last Stop: QBs Coach – New Orleans Saints
Prediction: 4-8, 3-5 MAC

Is there anything more fitting than bringing a head coach into the MAC who made his bones in the Arena League and has coached aerial attacks in the NFL at a place like New Orleans?

Ball State was pretty bad on defense and absolutely dreadful on offense last season. Neu should solve at least half of that problem. The question will be whether or not he’s got the horses to get much done this year in conference stacked with great quarterbacks and receivers.

It’s not going to get any easier for the Cardinals, but the losses may be a lot closer than they were in 2015.

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Mike Jinks – Bowling Green (10-4 overall, 7-1 MAC in 2015)

Career Head Coaching Record: 0-0
Last Stop: RBs Coach – Texas Tech
Prediction: 9-5, 6-2 MAC

The pressure is on Mike Jinks to keep Bowling Green on top of the MAC and competitive with cross-conference rival Northern Illinois. The Falcons have got a lot of talent, but replacing Dino Babers won’t be easy.

Jinks has only been coaching in college for three seasons, with all his previous experience coming in the high school ranks. Either this was a genius hire by the Bowling Green athletic department and we have another Hugh Freeze on our hands, or it will be a complete disaster. No middle ground here.

Outside of the opener against Ohio State, the schedule for the Falcons is favorable to repeating as division champs, but there are too many unknowns here to give more than a 50 percent chance of that happening.

Jason Candle – Toledo (10-2 overall, 6-2 MAC in 2015)

Career Head Coaching Record: 1-0
Last Stop: Offensive Coordinator – Toledo
Prediction: 10-2, 7-1 MAC

This is a case of a coach being perfectly groomed to take over a program coming into its own. Matt Campbell did a fantastic job at Toledo (now looking to help revive Iowa State), and Candle was his right-hand man during that process.

The Rockets won’t lose a step, and could potentially overtake Northern Illinois to win the MAC Western Division. There will be some fun games to watch on Toledo’s schedule, and the November 9 matchup against Northern Illinois could decide that division.

Next: MWC

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