The college football coaching carousel is spinning at full speed, and if you blink, you might miss a major move. What started as a few expected changes has quickly turned into a full-blown reshuffling across the country, especially in the SEC, where several programs have pulled the trigger on big-time hires. And as always, one coach’s new gig is another school’s vacancy.
After a wild Sunday that saw a flurry of movement, things have cooled slightly-but not by much. We’ve still seen some significant hires, including Kentucky reportedly locking in Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein and UCLA bringing in JMU’s Bob Chesney. Let’s break down the latest coaching changes and take a look at which programs are still searching for their next leader.
Coaching Hires (as of 7:30 p.m. ET, Dec. 1, 2025)
LSU - Lane Kiffin
LSU made one of the splashiest moves of this cycle, parting ways with Brian Kelly and luring Lane Kiffin away from Ole Miss.
Kiffin’s offensive acumen and SEC experience make him a high-upside hire for a program that’s always looking to contend for national titles. The fit feels natural-Kiffin brings swagger, innovation, and a proven track record in the toughest conference in college football.
Ole Miss - Pete Golding
With Kiffin heading to Baton Rouge, Ole Miss didn’t look far for his replacement, promoting defensive coordinator Pete Golding to the top job.
Golding has built a reputation as one of the sharper defensive minds in the game, and now he gets his shot to run the show in Oxford. It’s a bold move, but one that keeps continuity in-house.
Florida - Jon Sumrall
Florida decided to move on from Billy Napier and tapped Tulane’s Jon Sumrall to take the reins.
Sumrall has been turning heads with his work at Tulane, and now he steps into the SEC spotlight. Florida fans will be hoping he can bring the same grit and discipline to Gainesville that made Tulane a tough out under his leadership.
Auburn - Alex Golesh
Auburn is once again hitting reset, this time bringing in Alex Golesh from South Florida after parting ways with Hugh Freeze.
Golesh is known for his offensive creativity and player development chops. Auburn’s looking for a fresh identity, and Golesh will be tasked with building it from the ground up in one of college football’s most demanding environments.
Arkansas - Ryan Silverfield
Arkansas went the regional route, hiring Memphis head coach Ryan Silverfield to replace Sam Pittman.
Silverfield has done solid work in the AAC and now gets a shot in the SEC. The move signals Arkansas’ desire to stay competitive while also building a sustainable program with a coach who knows the recruiting landscape well.
Kentucky - Will Stein (Reported)
Kentucky moved quickly after parting ways with longtime head coach Mark Stoops, reportedly hiring Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein.
While the hire hasn’t been officially announced, Stein is seen as one of the brightest young minds in college football. If confirmed, this would be a bold, forward-thinking move by the Wildcats.
Virginia Tech - James Franklin
In a surprising twist, Virginia Tech landed James Franklin after firing Brent Pry.
Franklin had been at Penn State since 2014, and now he brings his experience and recruiting prowess to Blacksburg. Virginia Tech is betting big that Franklin can restore the program to its former prominence in the ACC.
Michigan State - Pat Fitzgerald
Michigan State made headlines by hiring Pat Fitzgerald, the longtime Northwestern coach who had been working as a volunteer assistant at Loyola Academy (IL). After letting go of Jonathan Smith, the Spartans are banking on Fitzgerald’s Big Ten experience and defensive mindset to stabilize the program.
Oklahoma State - Eric Morris
Oklahoma State is turning the page on the Mike Gundy era, hiring North Texas head coach Eric Morris.
Morris is known for his offensive innovation, and he inherits a program with strong infrastructure but in need of a new direction. It’s a fresh start in Stillwater.
UCLA - Bob Chesney
UCLA didn’t waste time after firing DeShaun Foster, bringing in Bob Chesney from JMU.
Chesney has built a reputation as a program-builder, and now he’ll try to bring that same energy to Westwood. It’s a big step up, but Chesney’s track record suggests he’s ready for the challenge.
Stanford - Tavita Pritchard
Stanford is going back to its roots, hiring former Cardinal quarterback and current Washington Commanders QB coach Tavita Pritchard. After not renewing interim coach Frank Reich and parting ways with Tory Taylor, Stanford is hoping Pritchard can bring some stability and offensive identity back to The Farm.
Oregon State - JaMarcus Shephard
Oregon State is turning to Alabama’s JaMarcus Shephard, who served as assistant head coach and co-offensive coordinator under Nick Saban. With Trent Bray out, Shephard brings a high-energy approach and SEC pedigree to Corvallis as he looks to keep the Beavers competitive in a rapidly shifting Pac-12 landscape.
Colorado State - Jim Mora
Jim Mora is back in the Mountain West, this time at Colorado State after leaving UConn. Mora has a wealth of experience at both the college and NFL levels, and the Rams are hoping he can bring some stability and toughness to a program that’s struggled to find its footing.
Kent State - Mark Carney
Kent State is sticking with continuity, promoting interim coach Mark Carney to the full-time role after parting ways with Kenni Burns. Carney knows the program inside and out, and now he gets the chance to put his stamp on it long-term.
Current Openings
While plenty of dominoes have already fallen, several programs are still in the market for their next head coach. Here’s a look at the schools still searching:
- Penn State - James Franklin is out, and reports indicate BYU’s Kalani Sitake is the top target.
- South Florida - Open after Alex Golesh’s departure to Auburn.
- Memphis - Looking for a replacement following Ryan Silverfield’s move to Arkansas.
- North Texas - Eric Morris’ jump to Oklahoma State leaves a vacancy.
- UAB - Parted ways with Trent Dilfer.
- Coastal Carolina - Fired Tim Beck.
- Cal - Moved on from Justin Wilcox.
- Tulane - Jon Sumrall’s departure to Florida opens up a top-tier Group of Five job.
- JMU - Bob Chesney’s move to UCLA leaves a big hole.
- UConn - Jim Mora’s exit for Colorado State creates a new opening in the Northeast.
The carousel isn’t slowing down anytime soon. With several high-profile jobs still open and bowl season right around the corner, don’t be surprised if more dominoes fall in the coming days. This coaching cycle is already one of the most active in recent memory-and it’s far from over.