The defining trait of this teaching cycle in school soccer is not scope however pace.
Sure, the variety of open jobs within the FBS appears to develop by the weekend, with LSU being the most recent — and largest — to drop. We have seen early-season and midseason firings earlier than, most not too long ago in 2021, when jobs together with USC and LSU have been already open at this level within the calendar. The variety of power-conference vacancies earlier than Nov. 1 this season, although, is notable.
Greater than something, the tempo at which the carousel is transferring stands out. Contemplate the Penn State teaching search, solely 17 days previous. We barely had time to digest the magnitude of James Franklin’s firing after eleven-plus seasons at PSU — and a Faculty Soccer Playoff semifinal look in January — earlier than potential alternative Curt Cignetti agreed to a brand new eight-year, $93 million contract with Indiana. A day later, Nebraska’s Matt Rhule — thought-about by many to be the favored goal for Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft — noticed the Cornhuskers lose 24-6 at Minnesota, their sixth consecutive defeat to the Golden Gophers.
Is Rhule nonetheless the favourite to come back dwelling to his alma mater? If not, the place will Penn State flip? And the way will Texas A&M’s surge beneath Mike Elko, a New Jersey native who performed school soccer at Penn, impression the search? Who else is working their means into the combo?
The Lane Kiffin-Florida unique courtship lasted solely per week earlier than LSU entered the chat. Kiffin might find yourself deciding between two of the higher jobs within the SEC or he might keep at Ole Miss, which he has constructed right into a nationwide contender and the place he receives robust help. Ole Miss’ place as a CFP hopeful might take the method effectively into December.
“Laborious for me to see Lane staying with this a lot motion,” a training agent mentioned.
If Kiffin stays put, Florida might want to flip elsewhere. Missouri’s Eliah Drinkwitz, Louisville’s Jeff Brohm and SMU’s Rhett Lashlee are intriguing choices, however would they get Gators followers anyplace close to as excited?
LSU’s non-Kiffin choices might embody Drinkwitz, Brohm and others with various profiles because the job is undoubtedly among the many nation’s finest. Can LSU swing huge? Completely. Ought to it? That is one other query fully.
Each weekend of outcomes shapes the carousel, as so many sitting coaches are anticipated to be focused for brand spanking new jobs. Some are main CFP hopefuls, which in the end might restrict their capability to maneuver in December.
It is time to reset the carousel as November nears, spotlighting jobs, candidates and an upcoming stretch that can reshape the management in a number of key spots across the nation.
Focused searches at PSU and Florida
Teaching circles usually have a trickle-down impact, beginning with essentially the most interesting jobs, that are Penn State and Florida. What in the end occurs in State Faculty and Gainesville would possibly have an effect on different open searches, in addition to people who might come open, corresponding to Florida State and Auburn. Kiffin, for instance, shall be excessive on FSU’s want checklist, as effectively.
The idea amongst business sources is that each the PSU and Florida candidate swimming pools shall be restricted. If both college is speaking to 6 or seven candidates, one thing most likely is not proper.
“Regardless that now we have a ton of potential searches, there’s some area of interest searches,” a supply mentioned. “Penn State might probably not be a search, and Florida would possibly probably not be a search. It’d simply be the plain candidates.”
These would imply Rhule at Penn State and Kiffin at Florida. However what if neither finally ends up making strikes? My unique Penn State candidate checklist ought to have included Elko, who has his second Texas A&M staff surging at 8-0. Elko actually would match the PSU program, given his roots and the way he spent the primary 15 years of his teaching profession within the Northeast, mid-Atlantic or Midwest.
Elko is perhaps deciding between two well-resourced packages. The distinction is that Penn State has completed far more on the sector than Texas A&M has and is now clearly striving for nationwide titles. Elko is actually motivated to, as he has put it this season, break down doorways. “Now we have excessive objectives and expectations for this staff and for this program,” he informed ESPN final week. “We all know in an effort to meet them, now we have to do issues that have not been accomplished.”
Being the coach to raise a historic underachiever is attractive. Elko additionally has adopted school soccer for many years. He is aware of that exterior Ohio State and Michigan, Penn State has had fewer obstacles to success over time, together with no rival like Texas in the identical state.
“Elko ought to take that [Penn State] job,” an business supply mentioned.
Then once more, if Texas A&M makes the CFP as a top-four seed, Penn State may need to make its rent sooner.
Vanderbilt’s Clark Lea is rising as a reputation to look at at Penn State and elsewhere. Would Penn State rent a coach from Vanderbilt twice in a row? Till final season, Lea was 9-27 at his alma mater. However he is now doing issues that Franklin by no means did at Vanderbilt (7-1), and Lea confirmed his flexibility as a coach by bringing in quarterback Diego Pavia and others from New Mexico State to spark this system. Lea is an Elko protégé and will attraction to PSU for lots of the identical causes.
“The man can win huge video games when the lights are vibrant,” an business supply mentioned. “Final yr towards Bama, this yr towards LSU and Missouri, like, he exhibits up.”
Florida clearly has curiosity in Kiffin, however what if he is not the man? Drinkwitz and Lashlee each appear prepared for a soar and might be good suits in Gainesville. They’re each in good conditions, although, particularly Lashlee after making the CFP final season. Missouri has capitalized on its SEC schedule throughout the previous two campaigns however hasn’t overwhelmed a ranked opponent within the league. Subsequent season, the Tigers will go to Georgia and Ole Miss, and they’ll host Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Florida.
“They don’t seem to be going to have this path,” an business supply mentioned. “Drinkwitz is wise sufficient to know he is acquired to get out.”
Brohm is an alternative choice, particularly due to his big-game document. He’s 4-4 towards AP top-five opponents following an Oct. 17 win at Miami. Though Brohm additionally has struggled in shedding video games he should not, his big-game success and inventive offense are interesting. He is also extraordinarily rooted in Louisville — each on the college and in his hometown — so it will take lots to drag him away.
Distinctive dynamics within the LSU search
When Brian Kelly was fired Sunday, LSU instantly shot to the highest of open job lists. There are two truths about LSU, although: It’s a nice job; it is also an advanced job.
Tiger Stadium is about three miles South of the Louisiana State Capitol, and the soccer program and state politics are traditionally intertwined. LSU additionally does not have a everlasting college president, and whereas a solution is anticipated quickly, the college’s Board of Supervisors have a major position in main college issues. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry appoints the board, and was a part of the discussions Sunday that led to Kelly’s firing.
Landry, on Wednesday, shook up the search when he lit into LSU athletic director Scott Woodward, making it clear Woodward wouldn’t be hiring Kelly’s successor. The governor pointed to Woodward’s hires of Kelly and Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M, and the numerous prices each faculties incurred when the coaches have been fired.
“Scott Woodward shouldn’t be choosing the subsequent coach,” Landry mentioned “Hell, I might let [President] Donald Trump choose him earlier than I might let him do it. The Board of Supervisors goes to provide you with a committee and discover us a coach.”
In saying Kelly’s firing Sunday night time, Woodward introduced himself as LSU’s lead decision-maker, referring to being “a proud alum” and “the present caretaker of our athletics packages.” Woodward mentioned he made the choice to fireplace Kelly.
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However after Landry’s feedback, it is greater than honest to marvel: Who will actually make this rent?
Landry additionally criticized the hefty contracts coaches obtain and the insular agent-administrator world that always yields these coach-friendly offers.
“It is a sample,” Landry mentioned.
Will this imply LSU avoids the big-splash hires Woodward has traditionally made, and the worth tags that include them? What is the speedy way forward for Woodward, who has led LSU’s athletic division since 2019?
LSU’s search is clearly extra advanced than a number of the others, and will take longer to wrap up. The college wants a clearly outlined course of and would possibly want to have a look at a wider candidate pool.
Keep in mind, Kelly got here to LSU with extra accomplishments than his three predecessors — Orgeron, Les Miles and Saban — who all received nationwide titles there. Coaches with completely different profiles can succeed there.
Kiffin has by no means labored at LSU however is aware of greater than sufficient in regards to the job from his time within the SEC. He would possibly in the end view Florida as a extra smart possibility, and even staying at Ole Miss.
LSU might prioritize SEC expertise (Drinkwitz, Lea, Georgia Tech’s Brent Key, Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham) or these linked to the state (Tulane’s Jon Sumrall, Houston coach Willie Fritz, Detroit Lions defensive coordinator and former LSU linebacker Kelvin Sheppard).
However the candidates is perhaps secondary proper now, as LSU has to get its very stormy home so as.
The James Franklin issue
One rising theme of this teaching cycle is probably not having sufficient high quality candidates to fill the entire main openings. However there’s additionally a large contingent of notable coaches not at present working and seemingly desirous to get again within the sport.
The group consists of two national-championship-winning coaches in Fisher and Orgeron. Former Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald needs to teach once more now that his wrongful termination lawsuit towards the college has been settled. Dave Clawson, who resigned from Wake Forest after the 2024 season, additionally would possibly see a path to the sideline.
Then there are the not too long ago fired coaches, headlined by Franklin and now Kelly. Hardly ever has a coach with Franklin’s credentials — 128-60 FBS document, 9 AP High 25 finishes, a CFP semifinal look — been jettisoned so rapidly, and Franklin made it clear on “Faculty GameDay” that he needs to teach in 2026.
“The X issue proper now in a bunch of those searches is James Franklin,” an business supply mentioned.
Franklin informed the “Faculty GameDay” crew that he’ll resume his nationwide championship quest at his subsequent job. Does he see a program corresponding to Virginia Tech having that potential? Virginia Tech has dedicated to fund its program higher than it has beforehand, and the college has a neater CFP path within the ACC. Franklin can be a robust rent there, however the Hokies have not had an AP top-10 end since 2009.
How Franklin views Huge Ten jobs is one other layer. Apart from Penn State, UCLA is the one present emptiness. UCLA has some pluses, particularly from a way of life standpoint, however must take a large soar to grow to be a nationwide contender. Franklin might have extra curiosity in Huge Ten jobs that have not opened but, corresponding to Wisconsin and maybe Michigan State.
Different potential vacancies corresponding to Florida State and Auburn might enter Franklin’s radar too, particularly FSU. He would carry a stage of credibility to each jobs.
Kelly’s subsequent transfer is a bit more durable to plot out. His ultimate sport at LSU came about on his sixty fourth birthday, so he doubtless will not be teaching that for much longer. Might he go from fired at LSU to a different nationwide contender corresponding to Penn State? Most likely not. The extra smart jobs for Kelly may not be open but.
Earlier than the LSU job, he spent 35 years of his teaching profession in three states: Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. If Wisconsin or Michigan State make modifications, Kelly would make sense. The identical goes for different jobs within the Midwest or Northeast.
Resetting searches exterior of the massive three
Penn State, Florida and now LSU have taken up a number of oxygen within the teaching world, and so have the will-they-or-won’t-they conditions at Florida State, Wisconsin and Auburn. However a number of searches have been underway for greater than a month and shall be winding towards resolutions.
Earlier than Oklahoma State fired Mike Gundy, there was a number of chatter in business circles that Cowboys athletic director Chad Weiberg, who was working with no contract, is perhaps out first. Not solely did Weiberg survive the transition however final week had a brand new four-year deal accepted. His job stability is an effective signal for the subsequent Cowboys coach.
Who will that be? Oklahoma State might take a look at a number of sitting Group of 5 coaches, together with North Texas’ Eric Morris, whose wizardry with quarterbacks has propelled his profile, and South Florida’s Alex Golesh, a former Oklahoma State graduate assistant. The college would possibly desire a clear break from the Gundy period, however former quarterback Zac Robinson, the present Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator, has some help across the program.
The candidate who has generated essentially the most consideration for Arkansas is former Razorbacks coach Bobby Petrino, who’s main the staff on an interim foundation. Regardless of how his first go-round ended, Petrino nonetheless has help within the state due to his on-field success. The issue is he hasn’t received a sport as interim coach.
Lashlee is perhaps the dream candidate, however as of now, it appears unlikely he’ll be headed dwelling. Golesh, Sumrall and Memphis’ Ryan Silverfield might be within the combine. Silverfield works in the identical area. He beat Arkansas on Sept. 20 and received the head-to-head battle with Golesh on Saturday. Silverfield is 49-22 at Memphis.
Stanford and UCLA are the 2 Energy 4 jobs which were open the longest — Stanford for the reason that spring — and each have carried out pretty effectively beneath respective interim coaches Frank Reich and Tim Skipper. Former Stanford quarterback Tavita Pritchard, who spent 2010 to 2022 as a Stanford assistant earlier than changing into quarterbacks coach of the Washington Commanders, is the identify producing essentially the most consideration for the Cardinal.
UCLA actually might take a run at Franklin or maybe one of many prime Group of 5 candidates. If Michigan State fires Jonathan Smith, would UCLA pursue the Pasadena, California, native, who had a number of success on the West Coast? The UCLA search has been pretty quiet to this point, and there are questions swirling round athletic director Martin Jarmond. The Los Angeles Occasions reported Wednesday {that a} group of 64 former UCLA gamers despatched a letter to chancellor Julio Frenk asking for Jarmond to get replaced.
Baylor’s Dave Aranda might be a reputation to recollect, particularly if Wisconsin comes open. Aranda served as defensive coordinator for the Badgers from 2013 to 2015 and loves the world. Aranda, a California native, additionally would make sense at each UCLA and Stanford. He entered 2024 on the recent seat and went 8-5, however Baylor is simply 4-4 this fall, establishing a possible cut up.
Jon Sumrall and the opposite non-Energy 4 coaches to look at
At any time when a Energy 4 job comes open, there’s an expectation, externally and even internally, that different Energy 4 coaches will soar to take the job. However these strikes occur lower than individuals would possibly suppose.
Given the variety of Energy 4 vacancies, which actually will develop within the coming weeks, it is a good time to be an rising Group of 5 coach, and there are a number of names to know.
Tulane’s Sumrall is essentially the most talked about Group of 5 coach coming into the hiring cycle. He received two Solar Belt Convention championships at Troy, and he brings a 15-6 document at Tulane into Thursday’s sport at UTSA. Sumrall is an Alabama native who performed at Kentucky and in addition coached at his alma mater in addition to Ole Miss. He can be a pure selection for almost any emptiness — present or future — within the SEC. After severe talks with North Carolina about its emptiness final yr, he additionally would possibly match within the ACC at a job corresponding to Virginia Tech. The 43-year-old Sumrall actually may have choices.
“Sumrall might be the very best G5 proper now,” an business supply mentioned.
Silverfield and Golesh are two different coaches to look at within the American Convention. Golesh has a various background, having coached within the Huge Ten, Huge 12 and SEC as an assistant earlier than touchdown his first head teaching gig at South Florida, the place he’s 20-14. Memphis’ Silverfield has accomplished nice work inside the American, going 3-0 towards Golesh and handing Sumrall his first convention loss final season. Silverfield operates a really productive offense, has NFL expertise with the Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions, and looks as if a match for jobs each within the South and the Midwest.
James Madison’s Bob Chesney is one other intriguing Group of 5 candidate. He has spent his profession in New England and the mid-Atlantic area, guiding Holy Cross to constant FCS playoff appearances and a 44-21 document. Chesney is 15-5 at James Madison and might be a reputation to look at at Virginia Tech and possibly even Penn State.
Western Kentucky’s Tyson Helton has been a constant winner, ending with a minimum of eight wins in 5 of his first six seasons with the Hilltoppers, who’re 6-2 this fall. Helton, who has acquired curiosity from Purdue and different higher-profile jobs, runs a dynamic offense that ranks fifth nationally in passing offense throughout his tenure.
Southern Miss’ Charles Huff additionally deserves consideration. He guided Marshall to a Solar Belt championship final season then made a novel intraleague transfer to Southern Miss, which went 1-11 in 2024 however is 6-2 — together with 4-0 in league play — this fall beneath Huff. He’s a Maryland native who performed school soccer in Virginia (Hampton) and has made teaching stops in each the Huge Ten (Penn State) and SEC (Alabama, Mississippi State). He might be an intriguing possibility for Virginia Tech or a number of different SEC, ACC or Huge Ten jobs.
What in regards to the coordinators?
A take a look at the AP prime 10 reveals six groups — No. 1 Ohio State (Ryan Day), No. 5 Georgia (Kirby Good), No. 6 Oregon (Dan Lanning), No. 8 Georgia Tech (Brent Key), No. 9 Vanderbilt (Clark Lea) and No. 10 BYU (Kalani Sitake) — overseen by first-time head coaches. The suitable hires in school soccer usually have come from the assistant ranks, particularly main coordinators.
The coordinator pool is not overly deep, even after a lightweight hiring cycle final season.
“It is a bit thinner there in comparison with years previous,” an business supply mentioned.
Nonetheless, there are a number of names to know, particularly on the offensive aspect.
Texas A&M’s Collin Klein is prospering in his second season there, overseeing an offense that ranks 14th nationally in each scoring and performs of 20 yards or longer. Klein, 36, is a former Heisman Trophy finalist at quarterback for Kansas State who stays beloved at his alma mater after helping there for a few years however has enhanced his profile by leaving for a high-pressure gig at Texas A&M. He might be a reputation to look at for Huge 12 or SEC openings.
Oregon’s Will Stein has continued the offense’s success from predecessor Kenny Dillingham and has accomplished it with completely different quarterbacks in Dillon Gabriel and now Dante Moore. Stein might be a reputation to look at if Kentucky strikes on from Mark Stoops or if Brohm have been to go away Louisville, the place Stein performed quarterback. Stein is also an fascinating identify for potential jobs in Texas, the place he hung out teaching from 2015 to 2022.
Ohio State’s Brian Hartline has been on the radar for Energy 4 jobs and might be once more, particularly with extra direct affect within the playcalling this season. Hartline, a former Buckeyes large receiver who performed within the NFL, is the very best collector of wideout expertise of his era and has helped propel his alma mater. He will not depart Ohio State for simply any job however would make sense for Huge Ten openings, particularly.
Georgia Tech’s Buster Faulkner is a veteran playcaller with a particular scheme that has helped put the Yellow Jackets into the CFP combine. The Georgia native has spent a lot of his profession in his dwelling state or in neighboring states and can be an excellent possibility for vacancies within the area.
On the defensive aspect, Georgia’s Glenn Schumann and Oregon’s Tosh Lupoi are each names to trace.
Schumann has labored with Good and/or Saban all through his profession and has been round Lanning and different prime coaches. The 35-year-old from Georgia appears pretty tied to the Southeast, however that is the place lots of the jobs (present and anticipated) are situated.
Lupoi constructed his fame as a West Coast recruiter then made teaching stops at Alabama and with three NFL groups earlier than returning as Oregon’s defensive coordinator beneath Lanning. The 44-year-old former defensive lineman at Cal ought to be a reputation to look at for West Coast vacancies, particularly.
Indiana held onto each of its coordinators — Mike Shanahan (offense) and Bryant Haines (protection) — after its first CFP run. That is perhaps more durable after an much more spectacular 2025 season to this point. Haines was a finalist for the 2024 Broyles Award, which works to the nation’s prime assistant, and has Midwest roots. Shanahan, a former Pitt large receiver, has spent most of his profession alongside Hoosiers coach Cignetti.