Has anyone been able to get a head coaching job at any substantial school?

[nonnel]

All I read on here is how the coach progression bug makes it impossible to advance your coaching career, so I'm just asking if it's literally even possible and if anyone's has success starting at a small school as a coordinator, and eventually being hired to be a head coach at a major school?

I've had three different dynasties as an offensive coordinator. In each one I met (and crushed) all my goals and had winning records. First dynasty lasted 3 seasons... I quit after no head coaching offers from anywhere. Second dynasty lasted 2 seasons, quit after my own team fired me despite my record and goals. And I started a new dynasty post patch, have gone 5 seasons of leading Eastern Michigan to 9+ wins in each year, crushing all my goals... no head coaching jobs.

So I ask again, is it even possible, or am I just spinning my wheels here? Any success story would be great.

[Kriech23]

Penn State in 2016, after 4 successful seasons at San Jose State. Although Penn State was a 3-star school they were still like 94 OVR.

[miz468]

Quote: Originally Posted by nonnel

All I read on hear is how the coach progression bug makes it impossible to advance your coaching career, so I'm just asking if it's literally even possible and if anyone's has success starting at a small school as a coordinator, and eventually being hired to be a head coach at a major school? I've had three different dynasties as an offensive coordinator. In each one I met (and crushed) all my goals and had winning records. First dynasty lasted 3 seasons... I quit after no head coaching offers from anywhere. Second dynasty lasted 2 seasons, quit after my own team fired me despite my record and goals. And I started a new dynasty post patch, have gone 5 seasons of leading Eastern Michigan to 9+ wins in each year, crushing all my goals... no head coaching jobs. So I ask again, is it even possible, or am I just spinning my wheels here? Any success story would be great.

You probably have to take an OC job at a bigger school first. I have two success stories for you.

1. I started as OC at UAB. There for 3 years, then hired as OC at SDSU. There for one year, hired as OC at Mississippi State. There for two years, hired as HC at LSU. There for 3 years, hired as HC at Notre Dame.

2. Started as OC at Navy. There for three years. Hired as OC at South Carolina. After one year, Spurrier was fired and I got promoted to HC. After 5 years as HC at South Carolina (2 NCs), I was hired as HC at Auburn.

Just stick with it. If you want to become a HC within a few years, you probably have to start as an OC at a 3* or 4* school.

[zippy2212]

Pre-patch for me as I have yet to download the patch, I started as an OC at Duke. After my 1st year I was offered the UAB HC job and several lower schools OC positions. I stayed and then in year 3 I was offered the Wake and Washington State HC jobs as well as UAB again, Rice and a couple of OC positions. I don't know if Wake and WSU are substantial but they are BCS teams.

I think it is pretty random but personally I see know problems with the way my offline dynasty has progressed.

[HotFudgeDragon]

I guess you can't expect to jump to an HC job straight from an OC position at Eastern Michigan - gotta be patient and work your way up.

I went OC @ Kent State - OC @ Maryland - OC @ Nebraska before getting offered HC @ Clemson after my 7th year of the dynasty.

I'd say this is actually somewhat realistic as I bet there aren't many head coaches with only three years coaching under their belt (even Lane Kiffin paid more dues than that).

[nonnel]

Quote: Originally Posted by Kriech23

Penn State in 2016, after 4 successful seasons at San Jose State. Although Penn State was a 3-star school they were still like 94 OVR.

Head coach at San Jose State or coordinator?

[nonnel]

Well, good to hear it's possible. Maybe I've just had some back luck. Also looks like maybe hopping to other jobs as a Coordinator before looking for the head coach job is key. I figured staying at Eastern Mich would be fine because I have them ranked each year with 9+ wins at this point, but perhaps not.

[jswaykos]

But has anyone seen success after starting dynasty as a head coach at a smaller school? Or is this mode truly intended to be played as a coordinator first?