ACC Midseason Coaching Report: Fran Brown, Dave Doeren, and More

By: Mike Huesmann

For each of the P4 conferences and the G5 as one I will release a midseason report. Each conference will have a coach who, through the first half of the season has: overperformed, underperformed, is on the hottest seat, on the safest seat, and for whom the jury is still out, meaning we need to see how the second half of the season goes before jumping to conclusions. Additionally, there will be an MVC (Most Valuable Coach); this MVC is for preparation and in-game coaching, not offseason activities such as roster building, recruiting, and the portal. A coach is only eligible to be picked for one category, so we won't have any repeats. Yesterday, we discussed the Big 12 Midseason Coaching Report .

Overperforming

Fran Brown, Syracuse

One of my favorite hires of the offseason , Brown has exceeded expectations, leading Syracuse to a 5-1 record. The addition of Kyle McCord and other transfers has transformed the Orange into a contender in the competitive ACC . With five teams boasting a 5-1 record or better, a trip to the conference title game is within reach in his first year. This team possesses a plethora of offensive weapons and is successfully utilizing them.

Underperforming

Dave Doeren, NC State

A coach I have praised more than most and deeply respect, but who isn’t getting it done this year , is Dave Doeren . He isn’t going anywhere; he’s built up enough goodwill, but this year's team just isn’t good. The Wolfpack’s staples of running the ball and playing stout defense have been forgotten, and this team is lackluster. I expected more from them and Doeren

Hottest Seat

Mike Norvell, Florida State

Norvell won’t, and shouldn’t, get fired this year. He won 13 games last year and 10 in 2022; only two P4 teams in the country would trade places with him. But the rails have come off this year. He gambled on the wrong portal QB in DJ Uiagalelei , and the skill players on offense are not of high quality. The defense has shown glimpses but not much consistency. He may go into 2025 on the hot seat, but the ACC is another conference where we might not see any coaches fired this offseason. I do think Mack Brown may retire, but he won’t be fired.

Coldest Seat: The Most Secure Job

Dabo Swinney, Clemson

I had to think about this one. Jeff Brohm is also extremely secure, but Dabo is the answer here. His two national titles and eight ACC titles in 16 seasons mean he can write his own ticket at Clemson . The Tigers are among the elite teams of the conference this year and are firmly in the mix for a playoff bid again this year.

The Jury Is Still Out: We Need to See How the Second Half of the Season Plays Out

Brent Pry, Virginia Tech

I have always liked Pry, but this year's team hasn’t met expectations yet. They were among the national leaders in returning production, yet they sit at 3-3 with losses in all three games against teams they would consider equal. It can still be turned around, but the season will be a massive disappointment if they don’t win four of the remaining six and a bowl game. They play Boston College at home tonight.

MVC (Most Valuable Coach)

Pat Narduzzi, Pittsburgh

Few saw the Panthers as being a 6-0 team in the preseason, but here we are. In his 10th season at Pitt, Narduzzi has won an impressive 71 games. This year, they have won close games against Cincinnati, West Virginia, North Carolina, and Cal. Not a gauntlet, but after going 3-9 last year, it is massively impressive and appreciated by his corner.