What effects do coaching changes have on bowl games?

[BandwagonFan]

It seems every year there are a handful of bowl teams that have coaches either get fired or resign at the end of the regular season and do not coach in their bowl games. This year is no different with at least 6 teams that will have interim head coaches in their games.

What are everyones opinions on this? Do you think teams don't even care about the bowl games or do you think they play with more fire? Also does anyone have any statistical proof of this (SU or ATS records in bowl games)?

For anyone that cares, the teams with interim head coaches for their bowl games this year are Navy, UCLA, Houston, Texas A+M, Georgia Tech, Arkansas. Other teams that will not have their head coach next season, but I'm not sure whether they are coaching in bowl season are Michigan and Southern Miss.

[hhsilver]

This interests me also. I considered this in the past and had things go both ways, as I remember. I, too, would like to see some data on this.

[The Seer]

It all depends on that particular situation.
examples:
Navy- hired from within, won't affect much.
Michigan, S. Miss- coaches are coaching the bowl game and players probably will play hard and try to win for them.
Other teams will likely be hurt with everything in limbo.