Is it a relatively new thing that mid-major head coaches are leaving to be coordinators at P5 programs?
Outside of the money, is it also just a better trajectory for coaches?
Not too often from FBS schools but if it does it’s likely to be a MAC one where the salaries are so high-not.
The pay for a coordinator position at a P5 school is definitely higher than the typical ~$500k pay for a head coach in the MAC, but the trajectory for a head coach job is slower. Still, if a G5 head coach doesn't get an opportunity to jump up to P5 after about 5 years, they are no longer a "hot, rising star", at which point, they may elect to broaden their resume, so sometimes they take an OC/DC position in G5. If successful there, they may get another chance for a head coaching job later, since their resume now includes both success at the G5 level as a head coach, and success at the P5 level as a coordinator.
Thus after 5 years of reasonable success at Kent State, Sean Lewis jumped to an OC position at Colorado State. Not too many years ago, Dan Enos left CMU to become OC for Arkansas, and has later served on the staffs at Michigan, Alabama, Miami, and Maryland, before returning to Arkansas. Will either end up as a head coach again? Who knows? Maybe they like the less stressful position as a OC, and are perfectly happy being an OC?
Note that Jason Candle will be on his 8th year at Toledo this fall. He is past the stage of being a "hot, rising star", and instead is just a solid coach with reliable success. Another coach in the MAC in that position is Chris Creighton at EMU, who will be in his 9th season at EMU this fall.
Thus, I see three plausible reasons why a MAC head coach might take an OC/DC position in G5:
1. Better money
2. Broaden the resume
3. Not so much in the eye (and wrath) of media and fans
Last Edited: 2/10/2023 11:54:28 AM by L.C.