A Prominent College Football Coach Who Didn’t Have a “High Grade Last Year” – Paul Finebaum’s Critical Assessment

In the ever-evolving world of college football, coaches are frequently put under the microscope. With high stakes, intense media scrutiny, and the expectations of passionate fanbases, coaches in the sport must be prepared for constant evaluation. Among the many figures in the college football landscape, few have the same level of influence as Paul Finebaum, a longtime sports commentator and host of The Paul Finebaum Show on ESPN. Known for his frank assessments and often blunt critiques, Finebaum is not one to shy away from calling out coaches when they fall short of expectations.

In a recent broadcast, Finebaum made a bold statement about a prominent college football coach. While he didn’t name the coach outright, he mentioned that this individual, who was highly regarded in the past, did not have a “high grade last year.” This comment immediately caught the attention of college football fans and analysts alike, sparking widespread discussion about who Finebaum was referring to and what this criticism meant for the future of this coach and their program.

To understand the weight of Finebaum’s remarks and explore who this coach could be, we need to delve into the current landscape of college football, the specific context in which this comment was made, and the factors contributing to this coach’s recent struggles. This article will examine the likely candidates for Finebaum’s criticism, break down their recent performance, and analyze what this all means for their future in the college football world.

The Finebaum Effect: Why His Critiques Matter

Paul Finebaum has earned a reputation for his candid opinions and no-nonsense approach to analyzing college football. With decades of experience covering the sport, Finebaum’s voice has become an authoritative one, especially in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), where he is a fixture in sports media. His ability to call out coaches and programs has often ignited debates and influenced public perception of those he critiques.

Finebaum’s opinions matter not only because of his status in the sports media world but also because of his understanding of the culture of college football. The SEC, in particular, is a pressure cooker of expectations, and coaches who fail to meet those expectations can quickly find themselves on the hot seat. Finebaum’s comments carry weight, as they often reflect the underlying sentiments of the fanbase and media surrounding a particular team or coach.

When Finebaum states that a coach did not receive a “high grade” the previous year, it’s important to take this seriously. It implies that the coach’s performance was below the standard expected of them, whether due to poor results on the field, questionable decision-making, or failure to develop players effectively. This type of criticism can be detrimental to a coach’s reputation and job security, especially at high-profile programs where success is non-negotiable.

The Candidates: Coaches Who Didn’t Meet Expectations in 2024

When trying to identify the coach Paul Finebaum might have been referring to, we must look at programs with high expectations that fell short in 2024. Several prominent names come to mind, each with varying levels of success in recent years. Let’s examine a few of the top candidates who could have received such a critique from Finebaum.

1. Jimbo Fisher – Texas A&M

One of the most likely candidates is Jimbo Fisher of Texas A&M. Fisher, who had previously led Florida State to a national title in 2013, was hired by Texas A&M in 2017 with high hopes of transforming the Aggies into national contenders. However, his tenure has been a rollercoaster ride, and his performance in recent years has left many questioning whether he is living up to the immense investment Texas A&M made in him.

In 2024, Texas A&M finished the season with a 6-6 record, once again failing to live up to expectations. Fisher’s offense, despite having talented players, has been inconsistent, and the Aggies have struggled to win critical games against ranked opponents. Fisher’s highly publicized contract, which includes a hefty buyout, has only intensified the scrutiny on his performance.

While Fisher has shown flashes of brilliance and has recruited some top-tier talent, the Aggies have not made the leap to the top of the SEC West as many had expected. With a large recruiting class coming in and an ever-growing budget for the football program, Fisher’s inability to deliver consistent success has earned him harsh criticism from fans, analysts, and, possibly, Paul Finebaum.

Finebaum, who has been outspoken about Fisher’s struggles in the past, may view his inability to build a true contender at Texas A&M as a significant failing. If Fisher’s team doesn’t take the next step in 2025, the pressure on him will only increase, and Finebaum’s comment about a “low grade” could be an accurate reflection of the public’s discontent.

2. Lane Kiffin – Ole Miss

Another coach who could be the subject of Finebaum’s criticism is Lane Kiffin, head coach of Ole Miss. Kiffin has built a reputation for being an offensive mastermind and has overseen a resurgence in Ole Miss football since taking over in 2020. However, despite his success in revitalizing the program, Kiffin’s 2024 season was a bit of a letdown, especially when it came to important games.

The Rebels finished the season with a respectable 9-3 record but had several losses to ranked opponents, including a disappointing defeat to Alabama. While the program has made significant strides under Kiffin, the inability to break through and win those pivotal games—particularly against top SEC competition—has left some questioning his coaching abilities in big moments.

Kiffin has been widely praised for his ability to develop quarterbacks and create explosive offenses, but his lack of success in crucial games could be seen as a major blemish on his record. His flirtation with other programs, including the rumors of his interest in the Auburn job, may also have contributed to the perception that Kiffin is not fully invested in Ole Miss’ long-term success.

Finebaum has been a vocal critic of Kiffin in the past, and his “low grade” remark could very well be directed toward Kiffin’s inability to consistently win in the SEC West. While Kiffin is a talented coach, the inability to break through at a program like Ole Miss, especially with the resources available, may not be enough to satisfy the lofty expectations for success in the conference.

3. Brian Kelly – LSU

After a very successful tenure at Notre Dame, Brian Kelly made the jump to LSU in 2022, where he inherited a program that had just gone through a coaching change and was in need of immediate stability. Kelly delivered a 9-4 record in his first season and showed that LSU was still a force to be reckoned with. However, in 2024, LSU’s performance was a letdown.

Despite having one of the most talented rosters in the SEC, LSU struggled with inconsistency on both sides of the ball. While Kelly’s defense was strong at times, the offense, particularly quarterback Jayden Daniels, showed signs of inefficiency when facing top-tier competition. LSU was unable to win some of their critical matchups against SEC heavyweights, including Alabama, costing the program a shot at a more prestigious bowl game and further damaging Kelly’s reputation as a program builder.

While LSU is still a premier football program, Kelly’s inability to guide the team to more success in his second season has left many wondering if his methods can succeed in the ultra-competitive SEC. Finebaum has been critical of Kelly’s ability to adjust in the SEC’s unique environment, and his remark about a “low grade” could be a reflection of LSU’s inability to meet expectations, despite the high talent on the roster.

4. Marcus Freeman – Notre Dame

Lastly, Marcus Freeman at Notre Dame is another potential target for Finebaum’s criticism. Freeman took over as head coach in 2022, inheriting a program that had been successful under Brian Kelly but was looking for a new direction. While Freeman’s first season was viewed as a rebuilding year, the 2024 season saw Notre Dame falter in several key games.

The Irish finished with an 8-4 record, but their losses to high-profile teams exposed Freeman’s weaknesses, particularly in terms of game management and strategic decisions. The inconsistency at quarterback, particularly with Sam Hartman not playing up to expectations, compounded the struggles. For a program with the history and resources of Notre Dame, anything less than an 11-win season is often considered a disappointment.

While Freeman is still early in his head coaching career, his failure to meet expectations in his second season may have resulted in a “low grade” in Finebaum’s eyes. Notre Dame has a proud tradition, and any signs of stagnation or underperformance are not easily overlooked.

 The Pressure to Perform

The phrase “didn’t have a high grade last year” is loaded with significance in the world of college football. Coaches who fail to meet expectations can quickly find themselves on the hot seat, especially when they lead high-profile programs with passionate fanbases. Whether Finebaum’s critique is directed at Jimbo Fisher, Lane Kiffin, Brian Kelly, or Marcus Freeman, the message is clear: college football coaches are always being judged, and their success or failure is often just one season away from determining their future.

For these coaches, 2025 will be a crucial year. They must show improvement, adjust their strategies, and deliver results in order to avoid further scrutiny and keep their jobs secure. In the high-stakes world of college football, the pressure to succeed is always present, and coaches who don’t meet expectations will quickly find themselves under fire—especially when figures like Paul Finebaum are watching.