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Michigan State football: Power ranking head coaching candidates after Week 5

By Connor Muldowney

Sep 30, 2023; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Elko and Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman meet just before the game at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2023; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Elko and Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman meet just before the game at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 16, 2023; Pullman, Washington, USA; Washington State Cougars head coach Jake Dickert looks up at the video board against the Northern Colorado Bears in the first half at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 16, 2023; Pullman, Washington, USA; Washington State Cougars head coach Jake Dickert looks up at the video board against the Northern Colorado Bears in the first half at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /

Taking the spot of Chris Klieman on this list is Washington State head coach Jake Dickert and I’m starting to finally buy into him as a legitimate candidate.

It’s taken me a couple of weeks longer than everyone else, but I’m all in.

Dickert took over in 2021 in an undesirable situation. Head coach Nick Rolovich was fired for refusing to get the COVID vaccine and Dickert was named the interim coach. He led the Cougars to a 3-2 mark to finish the regular season but lost the Sun Bowl. His team did finish second in the Pac-12 North, however.

That was good enough to earn him the ‘full-time head coach’ label the next season, shedding that interim tag. He went 7-6 in his first year, losing the LA Bowl.

To start the 2023 season, Dickert’s Cougars are 4-0 and ranked in the top 20 with a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate in Cameron Ward at quarterback. They just beat a good Oregon State team in Week 4 before a bye and I’ve had enough time to mull it over and throw him on here.

Not many coaches would have success in his situation, but he’s excelled.

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