College Football: 5 second and third-year coaches who’ll contend in 2020

Here is a list of second and third-year college football head coaches with a chance to contend in their divisions and conferences next season.

There used to be a time when head coaches were given four to five seasons to build their programs. Think of the many legendary head coaches who would have been fired in today’s coaching climate. This is the pressure cooker college head coaches have to do their jobs.

As we enter what is sure to be an interesting football season, many coaches are in a pivotal season. Lovie Smith needs to prove their run to a bowl game was not a fluke. In the same conference and division, Scott Frost looks to take another step in the Nebraska rebuilding project.

Out west, Chip Kelly is on one of the hottest seats in the country along with his crosstown rival Clay Helton. Mario Cristobal — and new offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead — want to represent the Pac-12 in the College Football Playoff this season.

Many second-year coaches look to continue building their program.

At Maryland, Mike Locksley flipped five-star and No. 1 player from Washington D.C. Rakim Jarrett from LSU. Also, the Terrapins landed Alabama transfer Taulia Tagovailoa.

Some second and third-year coaches might do more than just continue to build. Some are in a position to contend for their conference and are College Football Playoff darkhorses.

Here are five second and third-year head coaches who could contend this season.