<a href='http://http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/3451380' target='_blank'>Fox: Spring Preview: Coaching analysis </a>
C-USA
Best Coach
Mike Price, UTEP — It took less than a year for athletic director Bob Stull's decision to throw Price a life vest look like an upper deck job. Price completely changed the attitude in El Paso, and with the same players Gary Nord went 2-11 with a year earlier, won eight games and a trip to the Houston Bowl. Similar results could have him out of C-USA faster than Army.
Most Underrated
Watson Brown, UAB — Overshadowed by brother Mack's career at North Carolina and Texas, Brown has gradually guided UAB from the ranks of the Independents to C-USA, making significant strides on and off the field along the way. He's been behind a marked improvement in facilities, coached the school's only seven NFL draft choices and took the Blazers to their first bowl game last December.
Most Overrated
Skip Holtz, East Carolina — If he was Skip Holts, instead of Skip Holtz, one has to wonder if he would have landed on his feet so quickly after getting stripped of his offensive coordinator duties just a year ago at South Carolina. Holtz's offense was a bust in Columbia, putting an end to the conventional wisdom that he'd eventually replace his dad as the Gamecock head coach.
Coach on the Hot Seat
George O'Leary, UCF — After just one season in Orlando, O'Leary is not in imminent danger, but then again, neither is anyone else in C-USA. However, coming off an 0-11 debut, he'll need at least a couple of Ws to keep the natives from suggesting the game has passed him by.
Bucking for a Promotion
Tommy West, Memphis — It took two seasons of beatings, but West has a good thing going in Memphis. Behind a diverse offense, the Tigers have cranked out 17 wins and the school first two bowl games in decades the last two years. West has recruited well, surrounded himself by quality assistants and built the program from the foundation up. He tasted the big time with Clemson in the 1990s, and would probably listen if an ACC or SEC school came calling.
Best Offensive Coordinator
Randy Fichtner, Memphis — Sans the recognition other offensive coordinators receive, Fichtner has quietly assembled the Tigers into an offensive juggernaut since arriving in 2001. His spread offense has rewritten the Memphis record books the past two years, and his handling of Danny Wimprine helped turn the quarterback into one of the most prolific passers in school history.
Best Defensive Coordinator
Bill Wilt, Marshall — Well, this space had been reserved for UTEP's Tim Hundley before he up and left for a job at Michigan State in March. With he and Tyrone Nix gone, the honor goes to Wilt, who transformed a veteran Herd defense into one of the MAC's stingiest units the past two years. Last September, Wilt's kids surrendered just 37 points combined to Georgia and Ohio State.
Best Off-season Hire
Greg Hudson, East Carolina — New head coach Skip Holtz is an offensive guy, so hiring a defensive coach he can rely on was a priority. Hudson, who worked alongside his new boss at Notre Dame and UConn, is familiar with smaller, quick defenders from his days at Minnesota and the defensive scheme Holtz plans to utilize, so a smooth transition is anticipated.
Worst Off-season Loss
Tyrone Nix, Southern Miss — For a decade, Nix was one of the emotional leaders of all those hard-hitting, nasty Southern Miss defenses. He was Jeff Bower's defensive coordinator for the past four years, taking over for Dave Wommack, who took over for John Thompson. All three coaches are now working for Steve Spurrier, making Columbia Hattiesburg east.
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