The 2025-2026 College Football coaching carousel is shaping up to be one of the most hectic we've seen in a long time. At the end of the 2024-25 season, there wasn't nearly as many firings as you'd expect in part due to the fact that revenue sharing was on the horizon and that most programs wanted to get their finances in order before paying a hefty buyout.
In September, we quickly learned how hectic this cycle will be as four Power 4 Head Coaches were fired setting the tone for the cycle. The month of October has proven to be even more hectic as 3 Head Coaches were fired in the first two weeks while plenty of additional moves could be made in the weeks to come.
The expanded 12 team College Football Playoff has put more pressure than ever on these coaches and a few bad seasons in a row is no longer accepted with how much money is going into these rosters.
2025-26 Coaching Carousel Tracker: Who's in and Who's out at each FBS Program?
Auburn Tigers:
- Fired: HC Hugh Freeze
- Interim HC: DC DJ Durkin
After a truly embarrassing 10-3 loss to the Kentucky Wildcats, it became clear that a change needed to be made. The Auburn Tigers fired Hugh Freeze midway through his 3rd season leading the program. The Tigers named defensive coordinator DJ Durkin the interim Head Coach, and the final stretch could make him a candidate for the full-time gig.
Baylor Bears:
Departed: OL Coach Mason Miller
Amid a 4-4 start to the season, Baylor Offensive Line coach Mason Miller is no longer with the team. Details of his departure and any interim are currently unknown.
LSU Tigers:
- Fired: HC Brian Kelly and OC Joe Sloan
- Interim: HC Frank Wilson and OC Alex Atkins
After an embarrassing loss to Texas A&M, the fanbase begged for change, and they got it as the LSU Football team dismissed Brian Kelly on Sunday Night. The Tigers will owe Kelly a buyout of north of $50 million. Long-time LSU Staffer Frank Wilson is expected to fill the interim role. After Brian Kelly was fired, the Tigers dismissed offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Joe Sloan with former Florida State OC Alex Atkins assuming the role for the Tigers.
Colorado State Rams:
- Fired: HC Jay Norvell
- Interim HC: DC Tyson Summers
Amid a 2-5 start to the 2025 season, the Colorado State Rams have fired Head Coach Jay Norvell. Despite finishing 2nd in the Mountain West last season, Norvell was quietly on the hot seat due to the change in administration at Colorado State. Defensive Coordinator Tyson Summers will be elevated to the interim role.
Florida Gators
- Fired: HC Billy Napier
- Interim HC: WR Coach Billy Gonales
Following the Florida Gators' win over Mississippi State, Head Coach Billy Napier was fired, ending one of the most dreadful periods for Florida. After earning himself an extra season, Billy Napier started 1-3, quickly proving all of the optimism he built at the end of 2024 was for not. The Gators will be one of the most attractive openings on the market and should lure in an elite Head Coach.
Penn State Nittany Lions
- Fired: HC James Franklin
- Interim: Associate HC Terry Smith
The biggest shocker of the season came in early October when the Penn State Nittany Lions fired James Franklin after the team fell apart falling to 3-3. The Nittany Lions will pay Franklin a $49 Million buyout, driving home how committed they are to building a winner. Associate HC Terry Smith will serve as the interim for the rest of the season.
UAB Blazers
- Fired: HC Trent Dilfer
- Interim: OC Alex Mortensen
The UAB Blazers relieved Head Coach Trent Dilfer of his duties as the Blazers fell to 2-4 on the season and 9-21 in his tenure. Offensive Coordinator Alex Mortensen will serve as the Interim Head Coach for the remainder of the season.
South Carolina Gamecocks
- Fired: OL Lonnie Teasley, OC Mike Shula
- Interim: Shawn Elliott
Amid a 1-3 start for the South Carolina Gamecocks in SEC play, the South Carolina Gamecocks parted ways with offensive line coach Lonnie Teasley putting assistant Shawn Elliott in his place.
As the South Carolina Gamecocks offense has been a disaster, Shane Beamer is making changes once again. Following the loss to Ole Miss, the Gamecocks parted ways with offensive coordinator Mike Shula. Beamer has already made a switch at offensive line coach and OC as this offensive staff was clearly the wrong fit.
Oregon State Beavers
- Fired: HC Trent Bray and Special Teams Coordinator Jamie Christian
- Interim: SAHC Robb Akey
When the Oregon State Beavers hit 0-6 on the season, Head Coach Trent Bray fired Special Teams Coordinator Jamie Christian. When the Beavers hit 0-7, the program chose to move on from Trent Bray who posted a 5-19 record in his tenure as Head Coach.
Arkansas Razorbacks
- Fired: HC Sam Pittman, DC Travis Williams, Co-DC Marcus Woodson, and DL Deke Adams
- Interim: OC Bobby Petrino, Asst. DL Chris Wilson
- Hired: DL Jay Hayes
The Arkansas Razorbacks hit rock bottom which led to Sam Pittman being fired amid a 2-3 start to the season. Former Arkansas HC and current OC Bobby Petrino was given the interim tag and will audition for the full-time job. Petrino made massive staff changers firing DC Travis Williams, Co-DC Marcus Woodson, and DL Coach Deke Adams while bringing in defensive line coach Jay Hayes.
Oklahoma State Cowboys
- Fired: HC Mike Gundy, DC Todd Grantham
- Interim: OC Doug Meacham
The Oklahoma State Cowboys ended one of the longest running tenures in College Football, firing Head Coach Mike Gundy. Offensive Coordinator Doug Meacham will fill the Head Coach position for the rest of the season as the Interim. Meacham and the program fired Defensive Coordinator Todd Grantham among the struggles for the Cowboys.
UCLA Bruins
- Fired: HC DeShaun Foster and OC Tino Sunseri
- Interim: SAHC Tim Skipper and AHC/TE Jerry Neuheisel
The UCLA Bruins fired Head Coach DeShaun Foster just three games into his second season after an 0-3 start to the season. Special Assistant Tim Skipper was elevated to Head Coach after Foster's firing and will fill the role the rest of the season. Skipper parted ways with UCLA Offensive Coordinator Tino Sunseri placing former UCLA Quarterback Jerry Neuheisel in the offensive coordinator role.
Virginia Tech Hokies
- Fired: HC Brent Pry
- Interim: OC Philip Montgomery
The Virginia Tech Hokies were the first program to move on from their Head Coach, firing Brent Pry after an 0-3 start to the season. The Hokies will pay Brent Pry a $6 Million buyout to move on while the program has vowed to make a bigger financial commitment to the program. Offensive Coordinator Philip Montgomery will spend the rest of the season as the Interim Head Coach.
Kent State Golden Flashes
- Fired: HC Kenni Burns
- Hired: OC Mark Carney
In April, Kent State fired Head Coach Kenni Burns for several contract violations including allegedly taking a loan from a booster. Kent State named Offensive Coordinator Mark Carney for the role, but they'll look for a long term hire this offseason. After a 3-5 start to the season, Kent State removed the Interim tag making Mark Carney their full-time Head Coach.
Stanford Cardinal
- Fired: HC Tory Taylor
- Interim: Frank Reich
In March, the Stanford Cardinal fired Head Coach Tory Taylor amid an investigation into alleged bullying of former players and staff members. Stanford GM Andrew Luck brought in former NFL Head Coach Frank Reich to serve as the interim Head Coach, but will look for a long term candidate this offseason.
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