When a college football coach changes jobs, there’s always some degree of roster and staff turnover. But in today’s transfer portal era, the scale of that movement can be staggering-and incredibly telling. With player mobility at an all-time high, we’re seeing a new trend emerge: how many players a coach brings with him has become a measuring stick for influence, loyalty, and recruiting power.
Take Matt Campbell, for example. The former Iowa State head coach didn’t just pack his bags for Penn State-he brought an entire contingent with him.
According to recent data, Campbell leads all Power Four coaches in this department, pulling 27 players from Iowa State to Happy Valley. That includes quarterback Rocco Becht, a major piece of the puzzle as Campbell looks to reshape the Nittany Lions in his image.
Penn State interim head coach Terry Smith, who led the team to a Pinstripe Bowl victory over Clemson, gave Campbell a strong endorsement after the game. “I’m ready to pass the torch on to Coach Campbell.
He’s an amazing individual and leader, and Penn State is in great hands,” Smith said. That kind of internal support, combined with a heavy influx of familiar talent, sets the stage for a quick transition and a clear cultural identity.
Campbell didn’t just rely on familiar faces, though. He retained 52 players from Penn State’s 2025 roster and brought in 40 transfers overall-24 of them from Iowa State. That’s a bold strategy, but one that speaks to a coach with a clear vision and a loyal following.
Other coaches made similarly aggressive moves. Eric Morris brought 17 players from North Texas to Oklahoma State, ranking second in total transfers from a previous stop. Jimmy Rogers followed with 15 South Dakota State players joining him at Iowa State, while Alex Golesh moved 13 USF players to Auburn.
But then there’s Lane Kiffin-and his approach at LSU is a study in contrast.
Despite his well-earned reputation as the “Portal King,” Kiffin brought just four players with him from Ole Miss to Baton Rouge. That number might seem surprisingly low, especially when stacked against the 42-player transfer class he assembled at LSU-one of the largest and most talent-rich in college football history.
But here’s the thing: Kiffin wasn’t necessarily looking to reassemble his old roster. Instead, he used LSU’s considerable resources-reportedly a $20 million budget for roster rebuilding-to construct a new foundation from scratch. The Tigers signed nine top-100 transfers and landed the No. 1 portal class in the country, according to 247Sports.
Rather than a player migration, Kiffin’s LSU rebuild leaned heavily on staff continuity. He brought several key assistants from Oxford, including offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr., now the highest-paid OC in the SEC. Quarterbacks coach Dane Stevens, tight ends coach Joe Cox, wide receivers coach George McDonald, and running backs coach Kevin Smith also made the move.
So while Kiffin didn’t bring a wave of players with him, he did bring the brains behind the operation. And the talent he did add?
It’s elite. Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt, Colorado offensive tackle Jordan Seaton, and Ole Miss edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen headline a transfer class that could redefine LSU football in the post-Brian Kelly era.
Elsewhere, James Franklin brought 12 former Penn State players to Virginia Tech, and Jon Sumrall took just two from Tulane to Florida-further proof that every coach has their own philosophy when it comes to building a roster from the ground up.
Ultimately, these numbers don’t just tell us who’s moving where. They reveal how coaches see the game, how they build trust, and how they plan to win in this new era of college football. Whether it’s Campbell’s loyal caravan to Penn State or Kiffin’s high-octane rebuild at LSU, one thing’s clear: the transfer portal isn’t just changing rosters-it’s reshaping the entire coaching landscape.