Year three coaches who need to create their breakthroughs in 2017

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

Sports Illustrated, Gabriel Baumgaertner/Sports Illustrated

Year three is supposed to be the growth year for college coaches. While year four is often the final decision on whether that coach will be a long-term option (see Mike MacIntyre’s season at Colorado), year three can be the one that forces teams to cut bait to assure their program can win soon (see Charlie Strong at Texas).

Let’s take a look at year three coaches with either plenty on the line or a lot to prove.