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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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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 18: Head coach Matt Campbell of the Iowa State Cyclones gestures to officials after a play during the second half of a game against the UNLV Rebels at Allegiant Stadium on September 18, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 18: Head coach Matt Campbell of the Iowa State Cyclones gestures to officials after a play during the second half of a game against the UNLV Rebels at Allegiant Stadium on September 18, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images) /

Matt Campbell is another one of those media darlings who can usually do no wrong, but he shouldn’t be free from criticism, especially after the 2021 season.

Campbell is credited with turning the lowly Iowa State football program around which is more than impressive, but he’s always talked about as a top head coaching candidate when some elite Power Five programs have a vacancy. He’s turned down some big programs to stay at Iowa State and it really makes you wonder if he really loves Ames or if he doesn’t want added pressure and less job security elsewhere.

At Iowa State, making bowl games will keep you in town for life but going 8-5 or 7-6 at a program like LSU would get you fired pretty quickly.

Recruiting at Iowa State can’t be easy and he’s done a decent job but he’s not winning any top recruiter awards or blowing anyone away in that regard. He’s also just 42-34 since taking over and has just two bowl wins and a New Year’s Six appearance. That’s impressive at Iowa State, but is it really worthy of consideration at programs like Ole Miss, Michigan State, Florida, and others where he had been rumored?

Campbell is a solid coach, but let’s pump the breaks at “elite” talk, especially since he has just one nine-win season in the Power Five and had his most disappointing year with his most talented roster in 2021.

Also, he said that his goal wasn’t to win the Big 12 title in 2021 which was shocking to hear.

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