The college football coaching carousel is spinning at full speed, and this year’s ride is as wild as ever. With the regular season wrapped and bowl season looming, programs across the country-especially in the SEC-are making bold moves, reshaping the landscape for 2026 and beyond.
Let’s break down the latest hires and the dominoes they’ve set in motion.
SEC Shake-Up: Big Names, Bigger Moves
LSU Lands Lane Kiffin
The biggest headline of the weekend came out of Baton Rouge, where LSU made a splash by hiring Lane Kiffin away from Ole Miss.
It’s a bold move, but one that fits LSU’s win-now mentality. Kiffin brings his high-powered offensive philosophy to a program hungry to return to national title contention.
With Brian Kelly out, LSU is betting that Kiffin can bring the same juice to Death Valley that he brought to Oxford.
Ole Miss Promotes Pete Golding
With Kiffin gone, Ole Miss wasted no time in keeping some continuity, promoting defensive coordinator Pete Golding to the head job.
Golding has SEC experience and knows the locker room, which could help steady the ship in a turbulent moment. It’s a move that suggests the Rebels want to maintain their identity while building from within.
Florida Tabs Jon Sumrall
The Gators also made a change, parting ways with Billy Napier and turning to Tulane’s Jon Sumrall.
Sumrall has quietly built a strong résumé, and now he gets his shot in Gainesville. Florida’s been searching for stability and success since the Urban Meyer days, and Sumrall’s no-nonsense approach could be what they need to get back on track.
Auburn Brings in Alex Golesh
Auburn fired Hugh Freeze and reached into the American Athletic Conference to hire South Florida’s Alex Golesh.
Known for his offensive creativity, Golesh will be tasked with rejuvenating a Tigers program that’s struggled to find consistency in recent years. It’s a big leap, but Auburn’s betting on upside and innovation.
Arkansas Turns to Ryan Silverfield
Sam Pittman is out, and Arkansas has turned to Memphis’ Ryan Silverfield.
While the Razorbacks have had flashes of competitiveness under Pittman, they’re looking for a new direction. Silverfield’s background in player development and offensive scheming could be a good fit for a program trying to climb the SEC ladder.
Beyond the SEC: Major Moves Across the Country
Virginia Tech Hires James Franklin
In one of the more surprising developments, Virginia Tech landed former Penn State head coach James Franklin.
After parting ways with Brent Pry, the Hokies are clearly aiming to reestablish themselves as a national contender. Franklin brings recruiting prowess and a proven track record in the Big Ten, and he’ll be expected to elevate the program quickly in a competitive ACC.
Michigan State Turns to Pat Fitzgerald
Michigan State made headlines of its own, hiring former Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald had been working at the high school level after his departure from Northwestern, but his Big Ten experience is undeniable. With Jonathan Smith out, the Spartans are hoping Fitzgerald can bring toughness and stability back to East Lansing.
Oklahoma State Picks Eric Morris
After parting ways with longtime head coach Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State is going younger and more modern with Eric Morris, who was most recently at North Texas.
Morris is known for his Air Raid roots and offensive ingenuity. The Cowboys are clearly looking to evolve and keep pace in an increasingly dynamic Big 12.
Stanford Goes with Tavita Pritchard
Stanford is staying close to its roots while embracing a new chapter, hiring Tavita Pritchard-most recently the quarterbacks coach with the NFL’s Washington Commanders.
A former Stanford QB himself, Pritchard knows the culture and expectations. With the interim tag removed from Frank Reich and Tory Taylor out, the Cardinal are looking for a fresh start with a familiar face.
Oregon State Tabs JaMarcus Shephard
JaMarcus Shephard, Alabama’s assistant head coach and co-offensive coordinator, is headed to Corvallis.
Oregon State is moving on from Trent Bray and bringing in a coach with a strong offensive pedigree. Shephard’s energy and recruiting chops could be a game-changer for a program that’s quietly been building momentum.
Colorado State Hires Jim Mora
Jim Mora is back in the Mountain West, this time at Colorado State.
After parting ways with Jay Norvell, the Rams are turning to the former UConn head coach to bring experience and leadership. Mora’s been around the block, and CSU is hoping he can bring some much-needed stability.
Kent State Removes Interim Tag for Mark Carney
Sometimes the best move is the one closest to home.
Kent State is sticking with Mark Carney, removing the interim tag and giving him the full-time gig after letting go of Kenni Burns. Carney’s familiarity with the program could help in the transition and recruiting battles ahead.
Still Searching: Programs with Open Seats
While many schools have found their next head coach, several programs are still searching for their next leader. As of 8 p.m. ET on Nov. 30, here’s where the vacancies stand:
- Penn State - James Franklin’s departure leaves a major Big Ten opening.
- UCLA - DeShaun Foster is out, and the Bruins are in the market.
- South Florida - Golesh’s move to Auburn leaves a vacancy.
- Memphis - Silverfield’s jump to Arkansas creates an opening.
- North Texas - Morris’ move to Oklahoma State means a new search begins.
- UAB - Trent Dilfer is out.
- Coastal Carolina - Tim Beck has been let go.
- Cal - Justin Wilcox is out in Berkeley.
- Tulane - Sumrall’s move to Florida opens the door for new leadership.
- UConn - Mora’s move west leaves the Huskies in need of a new direction.
Final Thoughts
This year’s coaching carousel isn’t just about change-it’s about programs making statements. Whether it’s LSU swinging big with Kiffin, Florida betting on Sumrall’s rise, or Michigan State handing the reins to Fitzgerald, these moves are about identity and ambition.
We’re not just talking about names on office doors-we’re talking about the future of recruiting battles, conference races, and playoff implications. And with several major programs still searching, the ride’s not over yet. Buckle up.