5. Chip Lindsey, Troy
He just went down the road about 80 miles after working as the Auburn offensive coordinator for the last few seasons. Forgetting that the Tigers struggled last season, this is a terrific next-step gig to get into the head coaching world, but the pressure is on to keep everything going after the Neal Brown era.
Last Season Preseason Ranking: Not Ranked
– 2019 Troy Preview
4. Eliah Drinkwitz, Appalachian State
The former Boise State and NC State offensive coordinator is a 36-year-old rising star who walks into a heater of a situation. He’s the right teacher and the right coordinator type to grow into the head coaching job, but there’s no grace period. He has the best team and the best situation in the Sun Belt – win the conference title, or bust.
Last Season Preseason Ranking: Not Ranked
– 2019 Appalachian State Preview
3. Blake Anderson, Arkansas State
He’s been just good enough to keep Arkansas State good and interesting, and just mediocre enough to not follow the path of former Arkansas State head coaches and move on to bigger things. With five winning seasons, two Sun Belt titles, and five bowl appearances – but only one win – he’s getting the job done. Now we get to see what he can do in a rebuilding campaign.
Last Season Preseason Ranking: 3
– 2019 Arkansas State Preview
2. Chad Lunsford, Georgia Southern
You just knew that he needed a little bit of time to show what he could do. He pulled the program up out of its nosedive over the second half of the 2017 season, and last year he turned the Eagle offense into something great again on the way to a 10-3 season. If you like the option attack, the 42-year-old is your rising star for the style.
Last Season Preseason Ranking: 9
– 2019 Georgia Southern Preview
1. Billy Napier, Louisiana
He came to Louisiana after being passed over for the Arizona State head coaching job, and he came through right away with a great first season, taking the team to the Sun Belt title game and off to a bowl. Turning 40 going into the season, he’s a bright, young talent who’s destined for a next-step gig – he was a coordinator at Colorado State for a year – but for now, he’s got the talent to keep the Ragin’ Cajuns rolling.
Last Season Preseason Ranking: 4
– 2019 Louisiana Preview
