4 G5 COACHES THAT ARE UNDER PRESSURE TO IMPROVE THIS YEAR

G5 COACHES WHO HOPE TO SHOW IMPROVEMENT IN 2014 OBC(original G5 blog content)

 SKIP HOLTZ

LA TECH: SKIP HOLTZ

Coach Holtz inherited a La Tech team that had started to turn heads under former Head Coach, Sonny Dykes. A leveling off of the program seemed unavoidable  and Coach Holtz unfortunately found himself  the captain when the La Tech ship headed to port for some repairs. Skip Holtz can still coach. After a 4-8 record last season however, there is  restlessness among the Bulldog faithful. Coach Holtz will need to show improvement this year in order to gain the trust of the La Tech fan base. There is reason for optimism in  Ruston, as after a bad first year at ECU, Holtz rattled off 4 winning seasons including two Conf USA Championships:
CHANCES FOR  BETTER YEAR: HIGH

TODD MONKEN

SOUTHERN MISS: TODD MONKEN

If there is an FBS program that has had a greater change of fortune than Southern Miss over the last few years, we do not know who it is. Southern Miss fans have died a thousand deaths recently, as they have watched their  giant killer tradition  be reduced to homecoming fodder. To say that new Head Coach Todd  Monken struggled last year is an understatement.  Fortunately for Southern Miss fans ,however, Monken is a perfectionist who loathes to lose. Monken  also happens to have a great football mind. Although Southern Miss will not be a candidate for the Access Bowl this year, Monken seems poised to have a much better year this year than last. He will need it, as Southern Miss fans desperately need something to cheer about this fall.
CHANCES FOR BETTER YEAR: GOOD

BILL BLANKENSHIP

TULSA: BILL BLAKENSHIP: Football is a fickle sport. Just two short years ago, Head Coach Bill Blankenship lead his Tulsa team to a 31-17 victory over Iowa State. Last year however, as Tulsa was struggling, the  Golden Hurricane fan base began to grumble about Blakenship and his offensive strategy. Like Skip Holtz, Bill Blankenship has not suddenly forgotten how to coach.  He will need help from his players however, to return Tulsa to its winning ways next year. Tulsa begins play in  the AAC this fall, and will need everyone in the program to be at the top of their game. Tulsa has a habit of winning, so does Blakenship. Don't discount them just yet.
CHANCES FOR A BETTER YEAR: FAIR

RON TURNER

FIU: RON TURNER: Ron Turner deserves every penny, plus more, of his salary. Turner inherited a mess. Any time a head coach is fired, there are going to issues, both on and off the field for the new head coach to deal with. This has been true for Ron Turner as well. Fortunately  for Panther fans however, Turner  has an excellent football pedigree and brings tremendous experience to the FIU program. He will need it as FIU struggled mightily on the football field last year. Here is the good news, FIU is in the middle of some of the best recruiting  in the country. If enough good pieces fall into place, and with some luck from the football gods, Turner could be exactly what FIU needs right now. As far as next year goes, well um, we shall see.
CHANCES FOR A BETTER YEAR : NOT LOOKING GOOD RIGHT NOW