BYU Football: Ranking Opposing Coaches for 2014

September 29, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Cougars head coach Tony Levine reacts after a defensive play in the fourth quarter against the Rice Owls at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

6. Tony Levine, Houston

Tony Levine replaced Kevin Sumlin as the Houston Cougars head coach after Sumlin left in late 2011 to go coach Texas A&M.  Levine was the special teams coordinator prior to Sumlin’s departure and was briefly given an interim status, but that was removed before Houston’s 2011 bowl game.  In 2012, the Cougars took a step backwards and finished the season 5-7.  Levine was able to turn things around in 2013 as UH went 8-5.

Levine had previous stops at Louisville, Louisiana Tech, Auburn, and with the Carolina Panthers of the NFL before arriving in Houston.  The jury is still out on whether Levine can lead Houston to the high level of mid-major success that they have become accustomed to.  In 2014, he returns a lot and many around the program are expecting this to be the season he proves his worth as a coach.

Signature Win: #22 Penn State, 2012

Though Levine had already had his interim label removed before the bowl game, it was still important for him to make a good first impression.  In Case Keenum’s final collegiate game, the #19 Cougars beat the #22 Penn State Nittany Lions in 2012 Ticket City Bowl.