Are the Musical Chairs of College Football Coaches Starting Early?

Welcome to my weekly writing on all things that matter to ME. Putting my thoughts into words has always been a passion of mine. Sometimes life happens and dreams become just that. For me at this time of my life, if I’m dreaming then just let me sleep, as walking by faith, not by sight is how I’m moving. I’ve decided to take the bull by the horns, roll the dice, get on the good foot all the cliques you can think of. It’s time for 900 & Fifty Thoughts.

Being a College Football Coach can be a great thing. A job of prestige, a position of honor. If you’re a Head Football College Coach (HFCC) in certain states you are larger than the Governor. If you WIN, you are immortalized forever. Unfortunately, in the new world of College Football pressure is at an all-time high. Even at the small schools winning is required for long-lasting residency. In the past, being an HFCC at the right school was equal to working in the NFL. May be considered better. Outside of having to worry about what a 19-year-old does between Midnight- 6 am, you were straight. At the right school, you could have it all. Now enter the super conference era, NIL, and transfer portal and you have a profession that becomes extremely turnkey. Just this past weekend, we had several firings with more certainly to come. As we enter November, the coaching carousel will start circling faster. Not all coaches have the luxury of having a Jimbo Fisher pillow to land on. We all know the expectation of the Power 4 but even the Group of 5 programs fall into the mosh pit of win now. East Carolina fired Mike Houston. The Pirates had 2 embarrassing losses and brass felt it was time. No disrespect to the ECU but who do they think they can get that’s better? A far cry from the Power 4 ECU is currently 3-4 with still an outside shot at a Bowl Game. Can’t call it. In the other firing, I can understand Southern Miss letting go of Will Hall. Eagles are 1-6 and with no opportunity for the postseason so why wait? Southern Miss can be a somewhat attractive job to a young coach, but just like the great TLC song once said “Don’t go chasing waterfalls” you’re not Ole Miss. The last of the “Mary Go Around” coaching moves this week is with Utah’s long-time Offensive Coordinator Andy Ludwig stepped down. The Utes have been a major disappointment in their first year in the Big Twelve. The loss of super senior Cam Rising again to injury along with a horrible L to TCU last Saturday (13-7 score) is done it’s time for a change. HC Kyle Whittingham has named an HC in waiting so is he next?

The final month of the season only starts the warmth on those coaching seats. No one AND I MEAN NO ONE would of thought Kalen DeBoer would be on a warm ( not hot yet) seat. Now I’m not saying the Crimson Tide will release their 1st-year coach but with 2 losses and #21 Missouri and #8 LSU (game in Baton Rouge) still left on the schedule could Alabama be headed to the Quick Lane Bowl? The Roll Tide fans will not stand for that. Staying in the “Heart of Dixie” could Auburn replace Hugh Freeze? Standing currently at 2-5 the Tigers still have Texas A&M, Alabama, and Vanderbilt (YES, I said Vanderbilt) on the schedule. If Freeze loses 8 games could War Eagle be looking for a new leader?

One of the best Gameday entrances comes from Blacksburg, VA. at Virginia Tech. When “Enter Sandman” comes on I get goosebumps. At 4-3 Brent Pry and the Hokies are a major disappointment. A lot of people’s ACC pick in the preseason the season just hasn’t gone to plan. With games left with #9 Clemson, Duke, and Fran Brown Syracuse is 6-6 good enough to stay employed? Only time will tell.

Even the brightest football minds wouldn’t have had USC’s Lincoln Riley on the hot seat, but he is there. The Trojans have lost a ton of close games( Michigan, Minnesota, Penn St, Maryland) and are currently at 3-4/ 1-4 in the Big Ten, it’s raining in Southern California. With a manageable remaining schedule outside of Notre Dame, USC should get bowl eligible, but 7-5 is not what they expect in “Hollywood”.

This new era of college football is more NFL than ever. NIL, Transfer Portal, and the short life of coaching staffs have made Saturdays look more like Sundays. Maybe Coach Prime was right? Maybe a transfer portal is the way to go? I know Dabo and Clemson don’t indulge, but it’s only a matter of time before the Tigers come around. It’s something the traditional fans have scoffed at, but what is a coach to do? Don’t create a winner in 3 years you’re out. The reality is how do you buy a house, put your kids in school then even before they create friends you’re GONE. I know it’s always been a coach’s lifestyle but it’s on steroids now.

As we come down the stretch we will see a lot more surprising things we won’t agree with and some we will say about time. Keep an eye on the following coaches as success might have them in new jobs in 2025:

Jeff Traylor (UTSA) Been a name on the scene for a while now. Might be time to “Move on Up” like the Jefferson. Could Baylor be his next job?
Jake Dickert (Washington State) With all the drama with the PAC could Dickert crave a Power 4 opportunity? Being a young (41) coach there might be a few knocking on his door.
Jeff Monken (Army) The Army Black Knights are balling, ranked and a serious contender for the Playoffs. The iron might never be this hot for a big-time job.
Thomas Hammock (Northern Illinois) Who can forget the big win in South Bend and all the emotion Hammock had post game. He’s won a few MAC titles and may have done all he could with the Huskies. Young coach that relates well with his players.

Stay tuned as the College Football Season heats up on and off the field.