A couple of years ago we highlighted various media exercises where Tom O’Brien was garnering praise and high rankings. It may be worth some of your time to do a little surfing.
As you can see from some of the previous links, Tom Dienhart was writing for The Sporting News in the past. Today, Dienhart writes for SI.com and has reprised his rankings of ACC Coaches. (Link)
You have to give Dienhart major ‘props’ for exhibiting a trait with which that most media members struggle mightily – consistency. Two years ago, Dienhart ranked Tom O’Brien #3 in the ACC…and, without any reason to make a change…he does the same thing this year.
1. Jim Grobe, Wake Forest
2. Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech
3. Tom O’Brien, N.C. State
There are few better coaches in the nation than the perpetually underrated O’Brien, who thrives on running a smart, disciplined program. He was 75-45 at Boston College from 1997-2006. Unappreciated in Chestnut Hill, O’Brien is starting to turn around the Wolfpack, going 11-14 in his first two years. He was at his best last fall, when he rallied the Wolfpack from a 2-6 start to four consecutive victories and a bowl trip. Expect a breakout this fall.
4. Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech
5. Butch Davis, North Carolina
6. Bobby Bowden, Florida State
7. Al Groh, Virginia
8. Ralph Friedgen, Maryland
9. David Cutcliffe, Duke
10. Dabo Swinney, Clemson
11. Randy Shannon, Miami
12. Frank Spaziani, Boston College
Note that Dienhart – whose list includes some interesting tidbits and rationale for each coach – ranks David Cutcliffe in 9th position. This is a rationale departure from ESPN’s Heather Dinich’s love for Duke’s coach that we discussed in this related entry from last year that you should check out.
