Louisville wrapped up its 2025 campaign on a high note, notching its ninth win of the season with a victory over Toledo in the Boca Raton Bowl. That win marked another milestone for head coach Jeff Brohm, who has now delivered at least nine wins in each of his three seasons leading the Cardinals. His record at Louisville improves to 28-12, and while the numbers speak for themselves, it’s the stability and upward trajectory he’s brought to the program that’s turning heads.
When Brohm returned to his alma mater in 2023, expectations were high-but he’s arguably exceeded them. In year one, he took the Cardinals all the way to their first-ever ACC Championship Game appearance.
Since then, Louisville has posted back-to-back 9-4 seasons, building consistency in a program that had long been searching for it. And while Brohm hasn’t always been the loudest name in coaching circles, that’s changed this season.
His name has started popping up in high-profile coaching searches, and for good reason-he wins, and he does it with a steady hand.
This year’s coaching carousel has been especially turbulent, and Louisville fans have had every reason to be on edge. Brohm’s name has been loosely connected to openings at Florida, LSU, and Penn State, but none of those rumors materialized.
The real anxiety, though, has centered around Michigan. With one of the biggest jobs in college football now open, the fear in Louisville has been that Brohm might be next in line to take the leap.
But on Christmas Eve, Louisville fans got the gift they were hoping for: ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that Brohm is not among Michigan’s top three targets.
According to Thamel, Michigan is currently focused on Missouri’s Eliah Drinkwitz, Washington’s Jedd Fisch, and Utah’s Kyle Whittingham. That trio represents the initial shortlist for the Wolverines, and Brohm’s absence from it is a major sigh of relief for Louisville faithful.
Thamel added that while Brohm’s name has come up in discussions, he was not part of Michigan’s initial group of candidates. That’s notable, especially considering a recent report from 247Sports’ Sam Webb that suggested Michigan had reached out to Brohm before the bowl game. Brohm, for his part, didn’t exactly slam the door shut when asked about it, offering a measured response: “I don’t speak on other jobs, but I’m happy with this one.”
It was the kind of answer that left the door open just enough to keep fans nervous.
Now, with Michigan seemingly looking elsewhere, the attention shifts back to Louisville’s front office. Three weeks ago, there were reports that the school was working on a contract extension for Brohm. Since then, things have gone quiet-too quiet for a fanbase that’s watching its head coach climb the national radar.
There’s no question Brohm has earned a raise and a long-term commitment. He’s brought a level of consistency and competitiveness that’s been rare at Louisville, and with the program trending upward, locking him in should be a top priority. The longer the extension talks drag out, the more anxious the fanbase will become-especially with other programs still searching for their next leader.
For now, though, Louisville fans can exhale. Brohm isn’t at the top of Michigan’s list, and that buys the Cardinals some time.
But make no mistake: time is a luxury they can’t afford to waste. If Louisville wants to keep building under Brohm, they’ll need to make sure he knows just how much he’s valued-not just with words, but with a contract that reflects it.
After a chaotic few days, the Cards can enjoy their bowl win and a bit of peace heading into the holidays. But come January, all eyes will be on what Louisville does next to secure the future of its football program.