College football’s coaching carousel just spun into overdrive, and the American Athletic Conference is right at the heart of it. Four head coaches from the AAC have been scooped up by Power Five programs, marking one of the most dramatic talent raids the league has seen in years.
Let’s break it down.
Eric Morris, who led North Texas this season, was the first domino to fall. He’s headed to Oklahoma State, stepping into a Big 12 job that signals how quickly his offensive mind and leadership style have gained traction at the next level.
Then came a Sunday flurry of SEC hires that turned heads across the country.
Jon Sumrall, after a strong season at Tulane, is now the man in charge at Florida. Alex Golesh, who helped South Florida make significant strides, is taking over at Auburn. And Ryan Silverfield, who spent six seasons leading Memphis, is headed to Arkansas.
Silverfield’s departure is particularly notable. His Tigers finished the regular season with three straight losses, landing at 8-4 overall.
But his full body of work tells a more nuanced story: 50 wins, 24 losses, and a 5-2 record against Power Five opponents. That’s no small feat.
Still, the lack of a conference title appearance during his tenure loomed large and likely played into the timing of his exit.
So now, four AAC programs are all searching for new head coaches at the same time - a rare and chaotic scenario that’s sending shockwaves through the Group of Five landscape.
The natural question: which of these openings is the most attractive?
You could make a strong case for Memphis.
Despite ending the season on a down note, the Tigers have been one of the more consistent programs in the AAC over the past decade. They’ve got a solid foundation, a passionate fan base, and a recent history of success that includes a New Year’s Six appearance not too long ago. The infrastructure is there, and the right coach could walk into a situation ready to compete immediately.
Tulane, South Florida, and North Texas each bring their own appeal - whether it’s fertile recruiting grounds, institutional support, or upward momentum. But Memphis offers a blend of tradition, talent, and opportunity that’s tough to match.
One thing’s for sure: with four jobs open in one league, the AAC is about to be the epicenter of coaching rumors, interviews, and hirings over the next few weeks. The decisions these programs make now could shape the conference’s competitive landscape for years to come.