This is a popular mantra on other boards, especially KUSports.com where posters tend to fly off the handle (myself included in that).  I've heard it a lot - it just takes time for a 1st year coach to implement their systems.  They always struggle.  There is always pain before their is gain.

Is this true?  Well it just didn't "feel" right to me.  I could name plenty of programs that canned their coaches and say instant improvement the next year.  So I did some research on the interwebs.  Check out this link:

http://www.collegefootballpoll.com/coaching_changes_2009.html 

From 2008 to 2009, 15 of 22 teams that entered the 2009 season with new coaches actually IMPROVED their records.  That's 68%.  Several stayed the same.  Only the minority got worse.

While it's a small (but recent) sample, I think it clearly disproves the myth that coaching transitions take time and require a step back before a leap forward.

Thoughts?