For new coaches, many definitions of success

By foxsports
Published

Florida fans expect the Gators to be competing for a Southeastern Conference title in Will Muschamp's first season as coach.

Miami fans will probably be a touch more patient with their new coach, Al Golden. Same goes for Michigan fans and Brady Hoke, but not that much more patient.

At Colorado, Jon Embree should get at least two seasons before Buffaloes' fans start expecting to win.

Twenty-three college football coaches have new jobs this season, and all of those jobs come with different goals. Here's a look at what's attainable for some of the newbies now and in the future.

WILL MUSCHAMP, Florida

Realistic goal for 2011: Win the SEC East. Even in a transition season, the Gators should not concede the division to South Carolina.

Long-term goal: Perennial national title contender. Sure Urban Meyer was one of the best in the business, but he came to Gainesville in the first place because he knew it was a goldmine of resources and talent.

AL GOLDEN, Miami

Realistic goal for 2011: Challenge Virginia Tech in the ACC's Coastal Division. Stability alone should make the Hokies better than the Hurricanes this season. However, Miami shouldn't allow Tech to win the division by three games again.

Long-term goal: Miami has been in the ACC since 2004 and has yet to play for the conference championship. The `Canes need to become regulars in that game and in the national championship picture.

BRADY HOKE, Michigan

Realistic goal for 2011: Beat Ohio State. The Rich Rodriguez era won't be remembered fondly by most Michigan fans, but he left the place well-stocked for his successor. And with the Buckeyes hurting there's no reason Hoke can't end the Wolverines' seven-game losing streak in the series.

Long-term goal: To never, ever let Ohio State get that much better than Michigan again.

JON EMBREE, Colorado

Realistic short-term goal: Don't get embarrassed in the Buffaloes first season in the Pac-12. CU plays eight games away from its home field, including at Hawaii and at Ohio State. As for those home games, two are against USC and Oregon.

Long-term goal: Challenging USC on a regular basis is too much to ask, but the rest of the Pac-12 South (Utah, Arizona State, Arizona and UCLA) shouldn't be too tough for the Buffs. A steady diet of 7-10 wins per season should keep everyone in Boulder happy.

DANA HOLGORSEN, West Virginia

Realistic short-term goal: Win the Big East. The league is ripe for the taking and Mountaineers have enough talent to put Holgorsen in a BCS game this season.

Long-term goal: Keep winning the Big East. The Mountaineers don't hang out in the toughest neighborhood. They should be the bullies of the block.

RANDY EDSALL, Maryland

Realistic short-term goal: Well, if Maryland was being realistic it probably would have kept Ralph Friedgen.

Long-term goal: Be relevant. It wasn't the flashy hire many Terrapins fans wanted, but Edsall is a good coach and probably a good fit for this program. He's likely to have the Terps consistently outplaying the expectations set for them.