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10 most overrated head coaches in college football ahead of 2022 season

By Connor Muldowney

Nov 20, 2021; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin walks off the field following the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Rutgers 28-0. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2021; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin walks off the field following the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Rutgers 28-0. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /
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Indiana Hoosiers head coach Tom Allen walks along the sideline during the fourth quarter of a NCAA Division I football game between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021 at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Ind.Cfb Ohio State Buckeyes At Indiana Hoosiers
Indiana Hoosiers head coach Tom Allen walks along the sideline during the fourth quarter of a NCAA Division I football game between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021 at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Ind.Cfb Ohio State Buckeyes At Indiana Hoosiers /

When you take over as the head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers, the expectations are “make a bowl and we’ll be more than happy” which is great for an up-and-comer.

Tom Allen was no different when he was hired after an interim role back in 2017.

In year one with the Hoosiers, he went 5-7 and that generated hope within the fanbase and the players began to buy in. Although five wins for most programs would be considered a massive disappointment, Indiana is notorious for being a bottom-dweller so it was actually a trend in the right direction. Allen won five again the next season.

And then he had a “breakout” 8-5 season in 2019 as the Hoosiers finished fourth in the Big Ten East and then lost the Gator Bowl. He followed that up with a 6-2 season in 2020 with an Outback Bowl loss and second-place finish in the East. A 14-7 record over two seasons at Indiana was unheard of and just about everyone jumped on the Allen bandwagon.

How did he respond with all the momentum in 2021? Well, he led the Hoosiers to a disappointing 2-10 season and lost his quarterback Michael Penix Jr. to the transfer portal.

I get that he is considered one of the better coaches Indiana has ever had, but when national experts talk about him, they act like he’s a godsend. He’s 26-32 during his time at Indiana with an 0-2 bowl record (0-3 if you count his interim bowl loss). He’s made just two bowls in five seasons and had his worst record in year five.

Not great. But hey, at least he’s a #footballguy, right?

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