**Reevaluating the Coaching Landscape: The Class of 2021 Three Years On**

In the high-pressure world of college football, coaching success is as fickle as it is celebrated. CBS Sports has revisited the 2021 hiring cycle to reassess the performances of 16 new head coaches from that year. The results present a mixed bag of remarkable triumphs and notable failures.

Only nine of the original 16 coaches remain at the schools that appointed them three years ago, with five having been fired and yet to secure another head coaching position. Of the remaining coaches, some have dramatically transformed their programs. Steve Sarkisian, Josh Heupel, and Jedd Fisch are among the top success stories.

Sarkisian's tenure at Texas has been particularly impressive. Hired with high expectations, he has lived up to them, guiding the Longhorns to a Big 12 title and a College Football Playoff berth in 2023. His recruitment prowess and strategic preparation for Texas's entry into the SEC have earned him a regrade of A+, up from his initial A.

Josh Heupel's impact at Tennessee has also been transformative. Winning at UCF and succeeding in the SEC are worlds apart, but Heupel has reestablished the Volunteers as a top-10 program, highlighted by a historic win over Alabama. His original grade of C has risen to an A+.

On the other hand, Bryan Harsin's stint at Auburn is a cautionary tale of mismatched expectations and underperformance. Harsin, a former Boise State coach, struggled to adapt to the SEC environment and was ousted after just 21 games. His initial grade of A- has plummeted to an F.

Other coaches like Illinois' Bret Bielema and South Carolina's Shane Beamer have also had noteworthy journeys. Bielema has rebuilt Illinois into a competitive force, while Beamer has brought a level of unpredictability and danger to South Carolina. Beamer's grading has seen a modest improvement from C to C+, reflecting his mixed but hopeful results.

Jedd Fisch's work at Arizona is another highlight. Turning the Wildcats from a 1-11 team to a 10-3 powerhouse, his achievements landed him a coveted position at Washington, maintaining an A grade upon reevaluation.

The coaching landscape from the 2021 hires reveals a profession where fortunes can change quickly. The cumulative winning percentage of these coaches stands at .496, with 25 bowls, two conference championships, and one College Football Playoff berth to their names. The reevaluation underscores the unpredictable nature of college football coaching and the impact of leadership on a program's success.