College Football News
With all the changes and all the surprises on the coaching front, do you know who all the new guys are? How good were the new hires and how will they all work out? Before jumping into the recruiting season (the CFN Recruiting Rankings start Tuesday), meet the new bosses who'll take over as Richard Cirminiello breaks down and analyzes 2011's new head coaches.

Arkansas State
Head Coach: Hugh Freeze
Former Coach: Steve Roberts
Last Seen: Coordinating the Arkansas State offense

Reason to like the hire: In his first year as Red Wolves’ offensive coordinator, Freeze had an instant impact, guiding the team to nine school records. His up-tempo spread attack produced almost 5,000 total yards and was a huge reason why QB Ryan Aplin was such a success in his debut as a full-timer. Best known for being Michael Oher’s high school coach in the “The Blind Side”, he’s a solid recruiter, a must to get talented kids to Jonesboro.

Reason to question the hire: The biggest concern is experience, especially in an improving Sun Belt Conference. Freeze is best known for his success as a Tennessee high school coach, and the only time he was a college head coach, it was at tiny Lambuth University of the NAIA. Taking over an Arkansas State team that last had a winning season in 1995 presents a unique challenge.

Louisiana-Lafayette
Head Coach: Mark Hudspeth
Former Coach: Rickey Bustle
Last Seen: Coaching the Mississippi State wide receivers

Reason to like the hire: Hudspeth was on the staff of an offense that put up more points than any Bulldog team in the last decade. As the passing game coordinator, he had a positive impact on QB Chris Relf, who threw three touchdown passes in each of his last two games, both wins. Best of all, this won’t be his first gig as a head coach. He led North Alabama for seven seasons, going 66-21, with a pair of Gulf South Conference championships and five playoff appearances.

Reason to question the hire: Yeah, Hudspeth was on staff, but it’s not as if he was even the offensive coordinator in Starkville. And for all of his success in Florence, it did happen in Division II, which won’t be confused with an improving Sun Belt Conference. At North Alabama, he had a habit of getting the Lions close, but was unable to win the big game and bring a title home.

North Texas
Head Coach: Dan McCarney
Former Coach: Todd Dodge
Last Seen: Coaching the Florida D-line

Reason to like the hire: If you’re the Mean Green, you have to be ecstatic about attracting a coach who spent more than a decade in the Big 12. While McCarney did more losing than winning at Iowa State, he turned the Cyclones around, bringing them to half of their 10 bowl games. He’s a defensive coach, mentoring the Florida D-line the last three years, who’s headed to a school that’s in dire need of a new attitude on that side of the ball.

Reason to question the hire: Does McCarney still have it? It’s been almost five years since he’s been a head coach, and his last couple of Cyclone teams were running out of gas. At 57 and after spending the past three seasons surrounded by SEC players and SEC atmospheres, it’s fair to wonder if he has the drive and patience to resurrect a flailing program in Denton, Tex.

FULL ARTICLE
http://cfn.scout.com/2/1042189.html