The college football calendar hits its quietest stretch: spring ball is wrapped up, and summer workouts haven't kicked off yet. But that doesn't mean the excitement is cooling down—especially with the Pacific Northwest and Mountain West undergoing a major shake-up. The "departing five" schools are breaking away from the Mountain West this summer to form a new-look Pac-12, while the Mountain West reloads with programs like North Dakota State, Northern Illinois, and UTEP.
At the Mountain West Connection, we're doubling down on coverage for both conferences. That's where "Friday Five" comes in—a weekly countdown of the best of everything as we march toward kickoff. We're alternating between the two leagues, and we want your input: quarterbacks, stadiums, mascots, you name it. This week, we tip things off with the top five head coaches in the reformed Pac-12.
#5: Sean Lewis – San Diego State
At first glance, Sean Lewis' overall record (24-31 at Kent State) might not wow you. But context is everything. Turning Kent State—one of the toughest FBS jobs in the nation—into a two-time bowl program is no small feat. After a rocky debut season at San Diego State, Lewis rebounded in Year 2 with a 9-4 record, narrowly missing the conference title game. The Aztecs feel like they're on the cusp of something bigger, and Lewis is the man steering the ship. For now, he lands at #5, but don't be surprised if he climbs fast.
#4: Matt Entz – Fresno State
Same logic applies here as it did when we ranked Tim Polasek among the Mountain West's best: win national championships, even at the FCS level, and you earn serious respect. Entz went a staggering 60-11 at North Dakota State from 2019-2023, capturing two national titles. After a stint coaching linebackers at USC, he brought that championship pedigree to Fresno State. The Bulldogs' offense sputtered in his debut season, but the team still managed several impressive wins. Clean up that side of the ball, and Fresno could be humming in no time.
#3: Bronco Mendenhall – Utah State
You knew Bronco Mendenhall would make this list. With a career record of 146-95 across 19 seasons at BYU, Virginia, New Mexico, and now Utah State, he's proven he can rebuild programs from the ground up. His track record for defensive discipline and player development is unmatched in this conference. The Aggies are in good hands as Mendenhall looks to write his next chapter in Logan.