2025-26 Coaching Carousel

[Carm]

If Cockeye is doing that to fleck, imagine what they'll do to us

there is no transitive property in college football scoring

 

[Carm]

On a Saturday where multiple AP Top 25 teams needed late-game heroics to pull out wins, Hugh Freeze picked up his first SEC win of the season at Arkansas. The win for the Auburn head coach bought him more time as pressure continues to ramp up on The Plains.

Elsewhere in the SEC, LSU has now lost three of its last four. Noise is starting to mount around Brian Kelly, who is evaluating in-season coaching changes, sources tell On3. The hot seat at many blueblood programs is heating up. On3 is breaking down the latest intel we’re hearing on the college football coaching carousel following Week 9:

LSU: The Tigers dropped to 5-3 on the season with an embarrassing loss in Death Valley to Texas A&M. Pressure is only going to continue to grow around Brian Kelly, who is now 7-6 in SEC games over the last two seasons. But with a buyout north of $53 million and six years remaining on his contract, the Tigers will see how the final stretch of games goes. Sources have told On3, however, that coaching staff changes could come as soon as Sunday afternoon. LSU’s offense ranks No. 83 in FBS, averaging 366.6 yards per game.

Auburn: Hugh Freeze picked up a much-needed win Saturday at Arkansas, making an in-game quarterback move by putting in Ashton Daniels for Jackson Arnold. The 33-24 win marked Auburn’s first SEC win of the season, bringing its record to 1-4. But pressure continues to build around Freeze, who is 6–14 in SEC play. He has a $15 million buyout with remaining games against Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Mercer and Alabama. The win over the Razorbacks gives him more time, but the heat is not turning down, sources have said.

Kentucky: Following an overtime loss to Texas last week, the Wildcats were embarrassed at home in a 56-34 loss to Tennessee. Questions across the industry continue to be asked about Mark Stoops’ future. The 13th-year head coach is 69–78 overall but 6-13 over the last two seasons with just one SEC win. Kentucky would be on the hook for a $37 million buyout, unless the two parties came together and negotiated a buyout. Some sources have suggested that it could happen, but there’s been no evidence of it yet. Another option would be Stoops leaving for a new job. Sources have tied him to the Virginia Tech opening, but at this point, it appears to be an unlikely landing spot.

Florida State: The Seminoles are a week removed from a loss at Stanford that brought Mike Norvell’s ACC record over the last two seasons to 1-11. The noise was loud last Sunday to make a move, but athletic director Michael Alford released a statement Monday announcing a “comprehensive assessment” would be held on the state of the program following the season. Sources have told On3 that a loss to Wake Forest on Saturday at Doak Campbell could speed up the timeline. The Demon Deacons are 5-2.

NC State: After a 3-0 start to the season, the Wolfpack have dropped four of their last five as the pressure and noise around Dave Doeren grows louder. Similar to Stoops, Doeren is in his 13th season and has brought NC State to some of the high points in program history. That includes multiple AP Top 25 rankings and four nine-win seasons. But since 2023, NC State is 10-11 overall and 4-8 in the ACC. Doeren has a $13.1 million buyout. Viewed as a job in the ACC where coaches can win, the noise is only going to get louder with remaining games against Georgia Tech, Miami, Florida State and North Carolina.

Baylor: Entering the season, the temperature had cooled down around Dave Aranda. The Baylor head coach answered two losing seasons with an 8-5 record and a 6-3 mark in the Big 12. But the Bears are now 4-4, including a 41-20 loss Saturday to Cincinnati. Industry sources have told On3 to keep an eye on Baylor in the final four-game stretch of the year, with matchups against UCF, Utah, Arizona and Houston. Aranda is well-liked, however, and has a buyout north of $12 million.

Wisconsin: Luke #2ndChoice’s program showed some fight on the road at Oregon, losing 21-7. An in-season change appears unlikely at this point following last week’s vote of confidence from athletic director Chris McIntosh. As sources continue to indicate to On3 and McIntosh outlined, the expectation is for the program to go all-in on roster construction this offseason. #2ndChoice’s buyout is over $25 million. The Badgers have Washington at home off a bye, followed by Indiana, Illinois and Minnesota. They are still winless against Power Four competition.

 

[V-Doub]

On a Saturday where multiple AP Top 25 teams needed late-game heroics to pull out wins, Hugh Freeze picked up his first SEC win of the season at Arkansas. The win for the Auburn head coach bought him more time as pressure continues to ramp up on The Plains.

Elsewhere in the SEC, LSU has now lost three of its last four. Noise is starting to mount around Brian Kelly, who is evaluating in-season coaching changes, sources tell On3. The hot seat at many blueblood programs is heating up. On3 is breaking down the latest intel we’re hearing on the college football coaching carousel following Week 9:

LSU: The Tigers dropped to 5-3 on the season with an embarrassing loss in Death Valley to Texas A&M. Pressure is only going to continue to grow around Brian Kelly, who is now 7-6 in SEC games over the last two seasons. But with a buyout north of $53 million and six years remaining on his contract, the Tigers will see how the final stretch of games goes. Sources have told On3, however, that coaching staff changes could come as soon as Sunday afternoon. LSU’s offense ranks No. 83 in FBS, averaging 366.6 yards per game.

Auburn: Hugh Freeze picked up a much-needed win Saturday at Arkansas, making an in-game quarterback move by putting in Ashton Daniels for Jackson Arnold. The 33-24 win marked Auburn’s first SEC win of the season, bringing its record to 1-4. But pressure continues to build around Freeze, who is 6–14 in SEC play. He has a $15 million buyout with remaining games against Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Mercer and Alabama. The win over the Razorbacks gives him more time, but the heat is not turning down, sources have said.

Kentucky: Following an overtime loss to Texas last week, the Wildcats were embarrassed at home in a 56-34 loss to Tennessee. Questions across the industry continue to be asked about Mark Stoops’ future. The 13th-year head coach is 69–78 overall but 6-13 over the last two seasons with just one SEC win. Kentucky would be on the hook for a $37 million buyout, unless the two parties came together and negotiated a buyout. Some sources have suggested that it could happen, but there’s been no evidence of it yet. Another option would be Stoops leaving for a new job. Sources have tied him to the Virginia Tech opening, but at this point, it appears to be an unlikely landing spot.

Florida State: The Seminoles are a week removed from a loss at Stanford that brought Mike Norvell’s ACC record over the last two seasons to 1-11. The noise was loud last Sunday to make a move, but athletic director Michael Alford released a statement Monday announcing a “comprehensive assessment” would be held on the state of the program following the season. Sources have told On3 that a loss to Wake Forest on Saturday at Doak Campbell could speed up the timeline. The Demon Deacons are 5-2.

NC State: After a 3-0 start to the season, the Wolfpack have dropped four of their last five as the pressure and noise around Dave Doeren grows louder. Similar to Stoops, Doeren is in his 13th season and has brought NC State to some of the high points in program history. That includes multiple AP Top 25 rankings and four nine-win seasons. But since 2023, NC State is 10-11 overall and 4-8 in the ACC. Doeren has a $13.1 million buyout. Viewed as a job in the ACC where coaches can win, the noise is only going to get louder with remaining games against Georgia Tech, Miami, Florida State and North Carolina.

Baylor: Entering the season, the temperature had cooled down around Dave Aranda. The Baylor head coach answered two losing seasons with an 8-5 record and a 6-3 mark in the Big 12. But the Bears are now 4-4, including a 41-20 loss Saturday to Cincinnati. Industry sources have told On3 to keep an eye on Baylor in the final four-game stretch of the year, with matchups against UCF, Utah, Arizona and Houston. Aranda is well-liked, however, and has a buyout north of $12 million.

Wisconsin: Luke #2ndChoice’s program showed some fight on the road at Oregon, losing 21-7. An in-season change appears unlikely at this point following last week’s vote of confidence from athletic director Chris McIntosh. As sources continue to indicate to On3 and McIntosh outlined, the expectation is for the program to go all-in on roster construction this offseason. #2ndChoice’s buyout is over $25 million. The Badgers have Washington at home off a bye, followed by Indiana, Illinois and Minnesota. They are still winless against Power Four competition.

Gawd I hope Wisconsin keeps Fluke for another season 🤣 Next year will be just as glorious!

 

[Baron Winnebago]

Gawd I hope Wisconsin keeps Fluke for another season 🤣 Next year will be just as glorious!

That QB situation is ass cheeks due to injury and I don't think they went above and beyond in their statement of support just to fire him

 

[V-Doub]

That QB situation is ass cheeks due to injury and I don't think they went above and beyond in their statement of support just to fire him

True, but I wonder if their AD is thinking about who they could actually get this year with all the high profile firings? They would probably have to take a huge gamble on a coordinator or someone from a lower level. Problem with that plan, waiting until next season, is there is no guarantee next year’s coaching carousel will be any easier to navigate.

 

[Baron Winnebago]

True, but I wonder if their AD is thinking about who they could actually get this year with all the high profile firings? They would probably have to take a huge gamble on a coordinator or someone from a lower level. Problem with that plan, waiting until next season, is there is no guarantee next year’s coaching carousel will be any easier to navigate.

Yeah. Jobs always open up that aren't "supposed to". I don't think #2ndChoice has it, but I'd love to see them give him another year

 

[V-Doub]

Yeah. Jobs always open up that aren't "supposed to". I don't think #2ndChoice has it, but I'd love to see them give him another year

I hope they give him a lifetime contract.

 

[Kaladin]

Brian Kelly is such a douche bag, I can’t wait for him to be fired

 

[Fargo Husker]

1) Wisconsin’s schedule is just BRUTAL this season. Here’s to them losing the next three and then miraculously beating Minnesota at the end of the year.

2) If those firings happen, I’ll gladly take LSU’s DC or Dave Doeren here as our DC.

 

[nscottie]

Brian Kelly is such a douche bag, I can’t wait for him to be fired

He would fit in well at Pedo State. He killed a kid

 

[LoudHogRider]

1) Wisconsin’s schedule is just BRUTAL this season. Here’s to them losing the next three and then miraculously beating Minnesota at the end of the year.

2) If those firings happen, I’ll gladly take LSU’s DC or Dave Doeren here as our DC.

LSU's DC appears to be mid. I watched their game yesterday (full disclosure - LSU is my "2nd team" due to a 40+ year friendship with an alum), and on multiple occasions the announcers commented on "breakdowns" and "not on the same page" as Aggie gashed them, particularly in the 2nd half.

I realize not every color commentator is a Mensa Society level football expert, but their defense has been pedestrian at best this year, and a big part of their mediocre season. Do they have other issues? Yes - but it starts with their defense, IMO.

 

[Baron Winnebago]

LSU's DC appears to be mid. I watched their game yesterday (full disclosure - LSU is my "2nd team" due to a 40+ year friendship with an alum), and on multiple occasions the announcers commented on "breakdowns" and "not on the same page" as Aggie gashed them, particularly in the 2nd half.

I realize not every color commentator is a Mensa Society level football expert, but their defense has been pedestrian at best this year, and a big part of their mediocre season. Do they have other issues? Yes - but it starts with their defense, IMO.

 

[V-Doub]

Brian Kelly is such a douche bag, I can’t wait for him to be fired

If LSU fires Kelly, FSU fires Norvell, Auburn fires Freeze, Wisconsin fires Fluke and Clemson fires Dabo. Then there’s Colorado, Baylor, South Carolina, North Carolina St, North Carolina. All have dicey or questionable coaching situations.

There’s not gonna be enough quality proven coaches available to fill even half those positions. Probably not enough for Penn St, Florida, VaTech, UCLA, Oregon St and Oklahoma St as it stands right now. A lot of good programs are gonna have to gamble on an unproven coordinator or HC from a lower level. List of open positions could look like this… (complete Armageddon scenario)

Penn State
Florida
Florida State
LSU
Auburn
Wisconsin
Clemson
NC State
North Carolina
UCLA
VaTech
Oklahoma State
Baylor
Colorado
Oregon State
Maryland
South Carolina
Kentucky

That list is fucking crazy. I know some of those schools will choose to keep their loser for another shitty season, but some will also pull coaches from other schools not on that list. Therefore adding those unknown schools to the list. It bottles the mind.

 

[V-Doub]

LSU's DC appears to be mid. I watched their game yesterday (full disclosure - LSU is my "2nd team" due to a 40+ year friendship with an alum), and on multiple occasions the announcers commented on "breakdowns" and "not on the same page" as Aggie gashed them, particularly in the 2nd half.

I realize not every color commentator is a Mensa Society level football expert, but their defense has been pedestrian at best this year, and a big part of their mediocre season. Do they have other issues? Yes - but it starts with their defense, IMO.

LSU probably has top 5-10 talent (nationally) on defense every year. No excuse to have a bad defense at LSU unless coaching is deficient in some capacity. Whether that’s the DC, HC or both. No excuse.

 

[Kinish]

Gawd I hope Wisconsin keeps Fluke for another season 🤣 Next year will be just as glorious!

they will quietly fire him and have a hire like leonhard or matt campbell lined up

 

[V-Doub]

they will quietly fire him and have a hire like leonhard or matt campbell lined up

I’d probably rather gamble on Leonhard, higher potential upside. You kinda know what you’re getting with Campbell and it won’t be good enough for most programs over 3-5 years.

 

[Huskersballz]

they will quietly fire him and have a hire like leonhard or matt campbell lined up

I wonder if they’d entertain bringing Sean Lewis home. He has San Diego State 6-1 and played at Wisconsin.

 

[Southendzonehusker]

they will quietly fire him and have a hire like leonhard or matt campbell lined up

They should have hired Leonhard from the start. Don’t know if he would go back now.

 

[HashtagGBR]

They should have hired Leonhard from the start. Don’t know if he would go back now.

I think the only chance that happens would be if the AD is gone also.

 

[V-Doub]

They should have hired Leonhard from the start. Don’t know if he would go back now.

Would be fucking beautiful if he turned them down 🤣