Adam RittenbergMar 2, 2026, 07:55 AM ETCloseCollege football reporter; joined ESPN in 2008. Graduate of Northwestern University.Follow on XMultiple Authors
College football’s coaching carousel spins at different speeds, often alternating between chaotic and calm, depending on the year.
The scope of the carousel and the programs involved make it easy to forget that the number of coaching changes could have been much higher. Several coaches barely escaped with their jobs after disappointing seasons, for reasons ranging from hefty buyouts to administrative flux. They will enter the fall under undeniable pressure to deliver, and midseason changes are possible, if not likely, again.
The upcoming carousel might not be as robust as its predecessor, but there is potential for another wild cycle, especially if certain jobs open in the Big Ten, SEC and Big 12. Although we tend to view the coaching hot seat through the lens of who might be fired, there are other reasons for changes, including the NFL, which will continue to assess Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman, Oregon’s Dan Lanning and other college coaches.
To help sort out what might happen in the coaching ranks during and after the 2026 season, the tiers are back.
Jump to a tier: The hottest | Want it to work It’ll cost us | Need progress Retirement watch | Group of 6
After a relatively uneventful cycle in 2024-25, the most recent carousel moved fast and furiously, claiming coaches from the expected (Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy, Florida’s Billy Napier) to the surprising (Penn State’s James Franklin, LSU’s Brian Kelly) to the downright shocking (Michigan’s Sherrone Moore). The SEC and Big Ten had a combined nine coaching changes, including at four programs — Michigan, LSU, Auburn and Florida — that have won national titles in the past 20 seasons. All four power conferences had multiple coaching changes.
Locksley’s ability to recruit and build a roster is undeniable. Maryland has produced five or more selections in two of the past three NFL drafts and signed the nation’s No. 2 overall recruit in defensive end Zion Elee, out of Baltimore. But Locksley has struggled to translate talent to wins, as Maryland has posted identical records — 4-8 overall, 1-8 in Big Ten play — the past two seasons. Athletic director Jim Smith, who took over in May, is giving Locksley another year to get things right, as quarterback Malik Washington and others return. But anything less than a bowl appearance should prompt change, as Maryland has a fairly manageable schedule that doesn’t include Indiana or Oregon.
Beamer has undeniably improved South Carolina’s profile, recording AP Top 25 finishes in 2022 and 2024, and beating top-12 Clemson teams in both seasons. But memories are short in the SEC, and the Gamecocks backslid last season, finishing 4-8 with just one conference victory. Beamer and the staff did good work in the offseason, retaining quarterback LaNorris Sellers, defensive end Dylan Stewart and other key players, and adding Kendal Briles as offensive coordinator. The 48-year-old Beamer often talks of his affinity for South Carolina and sees the job as more of a destination than other coaches would. But a repeat of 2025, especially with Sellers back, would be difficult to overcome. Athletic director Jeremiah Donati did not hire Beamer.
Lebby’s team took a step forward from Year 1 to Year 2, especially in nonleague play, where the Bulldogs went 4-0 and stunned then-No. 12 Arizona State, the defending Big 12 champion. Mississippi State struggled in SEC play at 1-7, and although it lost two games in overtime and another by two points, it was outscored 128-67 in the final three league games. Athletic director Zac Selmon hired Lebby, who engineered some improvement on offense last fall. But at 1-15 in SEC games, Lebby must deliver some meaningful results this fall to ensure a third season in Starkville.
Ferentz turned 70 on Aug. 1 and weeks later became the Big Ten’s all-time coaching wins leader. He guided Iowa to an impressive 9-4 season with all four defeats (including to eventual national champion Indiana) coming by five points or fewer. Ferentz is healthy and energetic, and still enjoys coaching despite some of the major changes in the sport. His age and longevity at Iowa, where he will begin his 28th season as head coach this fall, will keep him in this category until he hangs it up. What’s left for Ferentz to accomplish in Iowa City? The school’s first CFP appearance would be a fitting way to cap off a decorated career.
After Rick Stockstill’s 18-year run as coach ended in 2023, Middle Tennessee made a notable hire in Mason, who had coached in the state at Vanderbilt and brought in significant Power 4 experience. But Mason hasn’t been able to elevate a program that made seven bowl appearances under Stockstill between 2013 and 2022, as Middle Tennessee has endured consecutive 3-9 seasons. Since guiding Vanderbilt to a bowl game in 2018, Mason is just 9-35 as an FBS coach. He will need better results to ensure a fourth season in Murfreesboro.
EMU was a job being watched by the coaching industry late last season, as the team endured its second straight losing season. Creighton accomplished what no one else could in Ypsilanti, guiding Eastern Michigan to six bowls in eight seasons from 2016 to 2023, including four straight. The team had just one bowl appearance before his arrival, way back in 1987. But elevated performance also raises expectations, and after 12 seasons as EMU’s coach, Creighton likely must reach bowl eligibility again to ensure the trajectory is favorable.
Georgia State hired McGee very late in the 2023-24 cycle, which could give him a little more time to get things right. But the team regressed from Year 1 to Year 2, finishing 1-11 overall, 0-8 in Sun Belt play and 0-11 against FBS opponents. The Panthers were outscored 454-237 last fall. McGee arrived with deep recruiting roots in the state and a previous stop with the program from 2014 to 2015. Minimal progress might be enough to secure a fourth season, but he has to start winning in the Sun Belt, where he’s just 1-15 at the helm.
Adam RittenbergMar 2, 2026, 07:55 AM ETCloseCollege football reporter; joined ESPN in 2008. Graduate of Northwestern University.Follow on XMultiple Authors
CloseCollege football reporter; joined ESPN in 2008. Graduate of Northwestern University.Follow on X