College Football Coaching Carousel: Firings and Hirings Update

The 2025 college football coaching carousel has been particularly active, with multiple high-profile firings and hirings occurring early in the season and continuing through November. According to ESPN, it all started with the firings of DeShaun Foster at UCLA and Brent Pry at Virginia Tech just three weeks into the season. The momentum intensified after Week 7 when Penn State dismissed James Franklin following a disappointing stretch that left the Nittany Lions at 3-3. Another significant firing occurred after Week 8 when Florida parted ways with Billy Napier, and by Week 9, Brian Kelly was dismissed from LSU. Lane Kiffin, after a successful tenure at Ole Miss, made headlines by accepting the head coaching position at LSU.

ESPN's detailed list outlines various coaching changes, noting that notable hires included Bob Chesney from James Madison to UCLA, Jon Sumrall from Tulane to Florida, and Alex Golesh from South Florida to Auburn, all on December 1. The upheaval continued with the promotion of Pete Golding to head coach at Ole Miss following Kiffin's departure, which aims to maintain continuity within the team's defensive strategy. Furthermore, Jim Mora was hired by Colorado State after his success at UConn, where he recorded back-to-back nine-win seasons.

On the other hand, coaching vacancies have left several programs in search of new leadership. With Penn State reportedly targeting BYU's Kalani Sitake, tensions arose between the university and its supporters. Crumbl Cookies CEO Jason McGowan, a donor to BYU, has been vocal about his desire to keep Sitake in Provo, even offering incentives to fans to support the coach's retention. This intersection of college football and corporate influence highlights the unusual dynamics at play during coaching searches.

The situation is further complicated by the fact that notable coaches like James Franklin have faced swift dismissals after what were once promising tenures. Franklin's firing, highlighted by a string of unexpected losses, marks a significant shift for Penn State, a program that reached the brink of a national championship game just a season prior.

The ongoing changes reflect broader trends within college football, where program success is increasingly tied to immediate results, leading to rapid turnover in coaching positions. Each firing and hiring not only reshapes the future of the respective programs but also influences recruiting and team dynamics across the sport. As the carousel continues to turn, the implications of these decisions will ripple through college football, affecting everything from team performance to fan engagement and recruiting classes for years to come.