5 Best Head Coaching Changes Entering 2017

1. Tom Herman, Texas

The Texas Longhorns hiring of head coach Tom Herman is the best on the coaching carousel so far. Coming off a 5-7 season, the Texas Longhorns look to Herman to work his magic as head coach.

Herman led the Cougars to a 22-4 record, including a 2015 American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year award. Houston opened 2016 with a lot of promise as well, upsetting the third-ranked Oklahoma Sooners 33-23 in their season opener.

Herman brings with him to Texas a wealth of experience in the upset department as well. In 2015, his Houston Cougars beat ninth-ranked Florida State 38-24 in the Peach Bowl. The Cougars went 13-1 in Herman’s first season as head coach. 2016 showed promise for them but losses to Navy and SMU ruined their playoff hopes. They finished 9-3 last season.

Herman also brings with him a culture a change, particularly in the training room. With his hiring of Yancy McKnight, he’ll look to turn around a program in need of extra work in the weight room.

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2017 Outlook: Recruiting and Scheduling

At Texas, Herman looks to return the team to national prominence. His first task: get his wishlist of recruits on campus. The Longhorns already have 10 hard commits as signing day approaches, according to 247 Sports. They have a solid 2017 recruiting class coming in ranked 32nd nationally.

The Texas Longhorns 2017 schedule is too daunting until September 16 when they face the USC Trojans. Their season opener against Maryland on September 2 should serve as a good measuring stick for the team overall. Conference-wise, the Big 12 is full of wild cards as no team should be taken lightly. With Baylor, TCU and West Virginia all on the road next season, Herman will have his hands full all season long.