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Coaching Carousel
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January 7th
CU Buffs’ Deion Sanders hires legendary high school coach Josh Niblett to staff
From the Daily Camera … Colorado and head football coach Deion Sanders have added another assistant to the staff.
A BuffZone source confirmed that Sanders has hired Josh Niblett to coach CU’s tight ends. Niblett, who begins his job at CU this week, replaces Brett Bartolone, who left CU to become the offensive coordinator at Nevada.
A legendary high school coach in the South, Niblett had a career record of 281-67 in 26 seasons with four different schools. He has spent the past four years as the head coach at Gainesville (Georgia) High School, leading the Red Elephants to the Class 5A state championship game last month.
In his four seasons at Gainesville, Niblett went 45-9, with two state title game appearances, in 2022 and 2025. Prior to coaching at Gainesville, he was the head coach at Hoover (Alabama) High School for 14 seasons, going 171-26 and winning six state championships.
Prior to Hoover, Niblett coached at two other Alabama high schools, going 51-14 with a 2004 state title in five years at Oneonta High and going 14-18 in three years at Oxford High.
A two-time all-state quarterback in high school at Demopolis Academy in Alabama, Niblett went on to letter three times at Alabama from 1993-95. Niblett was on the staff at Jacksonville State for three years (1997-99) before beginning his high school coaching career.
… Continue reading story here …
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December 26th
Michigan hires former Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham
From ESPN … Kyle Whittingham was hired as Michigan’s next head football coach, signing a five-year deal, the school said on Friday night.
“Michigan is synonymous with tradition and excellence — both on the field and beyond — and our entire program is committed to upholding those values while striving for greatness together,” Whittingham said in a statement released by the Wolverines.
Whittingham’s deal at Michigan averages $8.2 million per year over the course of the contract, sources told ESPN’s Pete Thamel and Dan Wetzel. The deal is 75% guaranteed, and Whittingham is expected to make $8 million in salary in 2026.
Whittingham, 66, informed his Utah team on Friday that he will not coach in the Las Vegas Bowl against Nebraska on New Year’s Eve, sources told Thamel and Wetzel. After talking with Utah players in Las Vegas, Whittingham was set to fly to Orlando and get to work as Michigan’s head coach.
The Wolverines face Texas in the Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Eve.
It was paramount for Michigan that Whittingham get to Florida to meet with his new team, and the players’ family members, to get going on his new job, sources told Thamel and Wetzel.
Utah AD Mark Harlan said in a statement that the school allowed Whittingham to join the Wolverines “immediately” after having discussions with him, his representatives and Michigan.
Morgan Scalley, who was set to take over as Utah’s full-time coach for 2026, will coach the Utes in their bowl game.
Whittingham went 177-88 in 21 seasons at Utah, including a perfect 13-0 season in 2008. His résumé, which includes a 66.8% win percentage, is such that he is expected to eventually be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
“Michigan Football is in GREAT hands under Kyle Whittingham !!!!” Michigan interim coach Biff Poggi posted on X. “Proven winner, true gentleman, tough nosed Michigan coach of days gone by.”
… Continue reading story here …
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December 24th
Offensive coordinator Brenna Marion adds a Sac State coach to his staff
CU offensive coordinator Brennan Marion has added Kyle Wagner to his staff, with Wagner coming in an analyst and assistant running backs coach.
A graduate of Kirkwood High School (Mo.) and Westminster College, Kyle Wagner led the Crusaders to an impressive 13-1 record in 2024, culminating with a dominant 46-7 victory over Festus in the Class 4 title game at Faurot Field at Mizzou.
Wagner joined Marion’s staff at Sacramento State as one of the earliest appointments following Marion’s selection as the 13th coach in the program’s history on December 20, 2024.
The bond between Wagner and Marion goes beyond Jefferson. While at UNLV, Marion had the opportunity to coach Antonio Doyle, Jr., a former Lutheran North defensive standout who has just announced his intention to enter the 2025 NFL Draft.
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December 20th
Coach Prime hires new running backs coach and new linebackers coach
From the Daily Camera … Colorado head coach Deion Sanders continues making changes to his coaching staff.
Per a BuffZone source, CU has promoted analyst Johnnie Mack to running backs coach.
Meanwhile, Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports reported Saturday morning that CU is expected to hire Chris Marve, the former defensive coordinator at Virginia Tech, as linebackers coach.
Of the 10 primary assistant positions, CU will have at least four new coaches. In addition to Mack and Marve, the Buffs recently hired Brennan Marion as offensive coordinator. The Buffs also have a vacancy at tight ends coach, after Brett Bartolone left to become the offensive coordinator at Nevada.
Mack was hired by Sanders a year ago as an analyst and assistant running backs coach. He worked with then-running backs coach Marshall Faulk, who left CU this month to become the head coach at Southern University.
Mack’s career includes a stop at Southeastern University as receivers coach, and one year (2019) as a quality control analyst at Hawaii, where he worked with receivers. In 2018, he was a quality control analyst over running backs at Houston Baptist, and in 2017 he coach inside receivers and specialists at North Texas.
Marve most recently was the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Virginia Tech from 2022-24.
Under Marve, Virginia Tech allowed just 24.7 points per game in 2022 (54th nationally), 23.9 (51st) in 2023 and 22.8 (39th) in 2024. The Hokies were also top 60 nationally in yards allowed in all three of his seasons, ranking 58th in 2022 (371.2), 20th in 2023 (316.8) and 57th in 2024 (363.0).
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December 17th
The Athletic Grades the four new Big 12 head coaches (three “B’s” and an “A”)
From The Athletic … In college football, you never really know whether a coaching hire is going to work — just take a peek at all those A’s for Brian Kelly and Billy Napier four years ago. But you also don’t need to wait around to evaluate whether a school hired the right fit.
As the 2025-26 coaching carousel spins, we’re handing out initial grades to the hires as head coach openings are filled around the country, focusing on how much the hire makes sense and whether it satisfies what a team identified it needed going into a coaching search.
Utah promotes Morgan Scalley: B
(Promoted Dec. 13)
This was long expected, as Scalley was the designated coach-in-waiting to replace Kyle Whittingham whenever the time came. That time has now come, clearing the way for the lifelong Ute to take over. Scalley played at Utah from 2001 to ’04 and has been on staff since ’06. It’s the only place he has ever played and worked. It’s hard to be more prepared to take over this specific job, but he’s replacing one of the best coaches of this era in Whittingham, a high bar, and we don’t yet know how Scalley will handle the job of a head coach.
Iowa State hires Jimmy Rogers: B
(Hired Dec. 5)
Iowa State moved quickly and announced the hire of Rogers before Penn State had even announced the hire of Matt Campbell. Rogers took over a difficult spot at Washington State and turned in a more than admirable first season. The Cougars went 6-6 and reached a bowl game, and three of those losses were a three-point defeat at Ole Miss, a two-point loss at Virginia and a four-point loss at James Madison, two of whom are playoff bound. Rogers previously spent two years as South Dakota State head coach, winning the 2023 FCS national title. This will be his first full-time job in a Power 4 conference, competing with multiple schools that have more resources. Can he help the Cyclones punch above their weight the way Campbell did?
Kansas State hires Collin Klein: A-
(Hired Dec. 4)
The K-State legend returns to replace a retiring Chris Klieman. Klein has done a really strong job as Texas A&M’s offensive coordinator, and he was in the mix for the Oklahoma State job in this cycle as well. Only two head coaches have won big in Kansas State’s history: Bill Snyder and Klieman. Klein played and/or coached under both of them. He what it takes to win here, and he was the offensive coordinator on the 2022 Big 12 championship team. It’s his first head coaching job, but it’s a familiar place, and Klein’s time at Texas A&M was valuable outside experience to bring back to Manhattan. It’s hard to ask for much more here.
Oklahoma State hires Eric Morris: B+
(Hired Nov. 25)
Morris checks a lot of boxes for Oklahoma State. He has deep ties to Texas, having spent almost his entire playing and coaching career there. And he knows how to develop quarterbacks, as names like Patrick Mahomes, Cam Ward, John Mateer and now Drew Mestemaker have thrived under his watch. He has also shown an ability to do more with less at North Texas and FCS Incarnate Word.
But while Morris’ offenses have long been good, his defenses have been up and down, and he’s won six games or fewer in four of six non-pandemic seasons as a head coach as a result. The hire of Skyler Cassity as Mean Green defensive coordinator in 2025 was one of Morris’ best moves. We don’t know yet whether Cassity will follow him to Stillwater, but that side of the ball will have to keep up with the offense.
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December 12th
It’s Official: Kyle Whittingham, Utah’s all-time winningest coach, is set to retire
From ESPN … Utah’s Kyle Whittingham, the winningest coach in program history and one of the longest-tenured coaches in the FBS, will step down following the Utes’ appearance in the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 31, the school announced Friday.
Whittingham, who has been with the program since 1994, was named head coach in December 2004 and amassed 177 wins, which ranks third among active FBS coaches.
“The time is right to step down from my position as the head football coach at the University of Utah,” Whittingham said in a statement. “It’s been an honor and a privilege to lead the program for the past 21 years and I’m very grateful for the relationships forged with all the players and assistant coaches that have worked so hard and proudly worn the drum and feather during our time here. The opportunity to guide so many talented young men as they pursued their goals — both on and off the field, has truly been a blessing.”
Whittingham, 66, led the Utes to three conference titles as head coach, two appearances in the Rose Bowl, two top-five finishes in the AP poll and an undefeated season in 2008, capped by a win against Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. He earned national coach of the year honors in 2008 and 2019.
Whittingham is expected to be succeeded by defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley, who Harlan announced as the head coach in waiting on July 1, 2024. Scalley joined the Utah staff in 2008 and has been the defensive coordinator for 10 seasons.
… Continue reading story here …
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Former Michigan coach Sherrone Moore facing felony home invasion charges
From ESPN … Former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore faces three criminal charges, as his arraignment Friday revealed details of his actions that led to him being arrested and jailed hours after he was fired Wednesday.
Prosecutors charged Moore with felony third-degree home invasion and two misdemeanors: stalking in a domestic relationship and breaking and entering. Bond was set at $25,000.
The arraignment and charges offered a window into Moore’s actions after he was fired for cause due to an “inappropriate relationship with a staff member.”
Prosecutors said Friday that Moore forced entry into the staff member’s apartment and said, “I’m going to kill myself. I’m going to make you watch. My blood is on your hands. You ruined my life.”
Moore appeared by videoconference at the arraignment, stating his name and clearly answering two questions with, “Yes, your honor.” He wore a white jumpsuit, his expression sullen and his hands folded on his lap. He appeared to wince as the prosecutor went through the timeline of his actions.
First assistant prosecutor Kati Rezmierski detailed the timeline of Moore’s actions after the firing, as he “barged his way” into the woman’s apartment. He went to a drawer in the kitchen and “grabbed several butter knives and a pair of kitchen scissors” before threatening to take his own life.
The prosecutor also detailed that Moore had an “intimate relationship” with the woman he worked with for “a number of years” before she ended the relationship Monday.
… Continue reading story here …
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December 11th
CU Director of Player Personnel Corey Phillips leaves for Memphis; replaced by Director of Recruiting Darrius Darden-Box
From BuffStampede.com … Corey Phillips, who led Colorado’s football recruiting department as director of player personnel for the prior three years, is set to become the general manager at Memphis, according to CBSSports’ Matt Zenitz.
Also, according to Zenitz, Darrius Darden-Box is expected to be promoted from director of recruiting to head the department as the new director of player personnel going forward.
Phillips helped the Buffaloes put together the No. 1, then No. 1, then No. 2, overall recruiting classes among Big 12 programs on 247Sports – with prep, Junior College and transfers all included – the previous three offseasons.
Phillips previously spent time in the same recruiting department with Darden-Box at Vanderbilt, before both joined Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders’ staff at Colorado in Dec. of 2022.
Darden-Box, a native of Nashville, was a three-year letter winner at wide receiver at Southeast Missouri State. He caught 29 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns for the Redhawks. Darden-Box was a two-way starter at Nashville’s Pearl-Cohn as a prep player. He earned a bachelor’s degree in recreation from Southeast Missouri State in 2016.
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December 10th
Michigan abruptly fires head coach Sherrone Moore “for cause”
From CBS Sports … Michigan fired coach Sherrone Moore for cause at the conclusion of his second season leading the Wolverines football program. Athletic director Warde Manuel cited that the termination came amid an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.
“Sherrone Moore has been terminated, with cause, effective immediately,” Manuel said in a statement. “Following a university investigation, credible evidence was found that Coach Moore engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. This conduct constitutes a clear violation of University policy, and UM maintains zero tolerance for such behavior.”
Associate head coach Biff Poggi has been appointed interim coach, effective immediately.
After becoming aware of the allegations against Moore, prominent Michigan donors cooled on contributing to the program, sources tell CBS Sports.
Michigan finished 8-5 in Moore’s debut season, improving to 9-3 this year with the Wolverines remaining in the College Football Playoff discussion until the final week of the regular season.
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Grading Big 12 Coaching Hires: A “B”, a “B+”, and an “A-“
From CBS Sports … It’s turned into one of the craziest college football coaching carousel cycles we have seen in recent memory, and CBS Sports is tracking every move in the 2025-26 cycle and grading each hire below.
From the Big 12 …
Oklahoma State
| Eric Morris ( North Texas ) | Mike Gundy | Eric Morris brings a high-flying offense and a keen eye for identifying and developing quarterbacks to Stillwater. The North Texas coach and former Mike Leach protege identified some of the most prolific quarterbacks over the last few years: Cam Ward, John Mateer and Drew Mestemaker . His high-flying style will meld well with a fan base accustomed to potent offenses. Grade: A- |
Kansas State
| Collin Klein | Chris Klieman | Collin Kleiman returns home to Kansas State, where he is already a legend. He was strong as an offensive coordinator previously at K-State and improved his stock at Texas A&M, where he will continue to coach through the playoffs. Grade: B |
Iowa State
| Jimmy Rogers (Washington State) | Matt Campbell | Iowa State moved quickly once Matt Campbell bolted for Penn State, hiring Washington State’s Jimmy Rogers. Rogers spent only one season at Wazzu, going 6-6, but it’s his days coaching FCS powerhouse South Dakota State that gives the Cyclones hope. He was 27-3 at SDSU and led one of the best defenses in FCS history in 2023. Grade: B+ |
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December 5th
Iowa State loses head coach Matt Campbell to Penn State; Iowa State hires Washington State head coach Jimmy Rogers
From CBS Sports … After whiffing on numerous candidates, Penn State has finally completed its long, winding coaching search by landing on a prominent name in the Big 12. The Nittany Lions have reached an agreement to hire Iowa State’s Matt Campbell pending board approval, sources confirmed to CBS Sports’ Brandon Marcello and Matt Zenitz on Friday evening.
Campbell has achieved unprecedented success, posting a 72-55 record throughout a decade-long tenure at Iowa State and has been tied to various coaching searches across the Big Ten on numerous occasions. Each time his name popped up as a candidate for a premier job, though, Campbell elected to remain with the Cyclones. Prior to his stint at Iowa State, Campbell made a name for himself as a head coach by going 35-15 across five seasons leading Toledo in the MAC.
Campbell’s track record of maximizing his program’s potential indicates he could thrive with the Nittany Lions. Campbell inherited a perennial middling operation when he took the Iowa State job in 2016, and he quickly turned his program into one of the Big 12’s most consistent winners. After a three-win debut, the Cyclones posted just one losing season from 2017 onward. They racked up five consecutive bowl appearances for the first time in school history and reached their first conference championship game in an 11-win 2024 campaign.
Sources told CBS Sports that Campbell is expected to retain interim coach Terry Smith on the staff. Smith has been at Penn State since 2014. Iowa State wasted little time in finding Campbell’s successor by hiring Washington State’s Jimmy Rogers as its next head coach later Friday.
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*Video: How the Brennan Marion Go-Go Offense Works*
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*Video: Introducing Brennan Marion … his history and the history of the Go-Go Offense*
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December 4th
Confirmed: CU to hire Sacramento State head coach Brennan Marion as its new offensive coordinator
From the Daily Camera … Colorado and head coach Deion Sanders have found a new offensive coordinator.
BuffZone has confirmed a report that Sanders has hired Sacramento State head coach Brennan Marion to become the new offensive coordinator of the Buffaloes.
The 38-year-old Marion replaces Pat Shurmur, whose two-year contract will expire next month.
Marion is known for developing the Go-Go offense, which relies on a strong run game and vertical passes.
Marion becomes the third coordinator in Sanders’ four seasons at CU. Sean Lewis was the coordinator in 2023, but had his play-calling duties stripped after eight games that season. Shurmur, who called plays the last four games of 2023, has been the OC the past two years. However, Shurmur had his play-calling duties stripped after eight games this year, in favor of Brett Bartolone.
This year, Marion led Sacramento State to a 7-5 record in his first campaign as a head coach. The Hornets were third in the Big Sky in scoring (33.8 points per game), fifth in total yards (425.6 per game) and led the conference in rushing (262.6). Sac State running back Rodney Hammond earned first-team all-conference honors after rushing for 1,216 yards.
Marion has moved around a lot in his career, but has moved up the coaching ranks.
A year ago, Marion was hired as the head coach at Sacramento State, and he turned around a team that went just 3-9 in 2024. On Wednesday, Marion and his Sac State staff signed the No. 1-rated recruiting class in the FCS.
… Continue reading story here …
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December 3rd
Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman retires; replaced by former Wildcat quarterback Collin Klein
From CBS Sports … Kansas State is preparing for a coaching transition as Chris Klieman announced his retirement Wednesday. Current Texas A&M offensive coordinator Collin Klein — the former Wildcats quarterback and Heisman Trophy finalist — is expected to be his successor, 247Sports confirms.
Klieman has led Kansas State since 2019 and was under contract through 2032.
“After many deep and thoughtful conversations with my family, we have decided that the time is right for me to retire from coaching,” Klieman said in a statement. “This decision was not taken lightly and was the culmination of many factors, including my own personal health. I absolutely love coaching the game of football and developing players into young men, but now is the time for me to step away and spend more time with Rhonda and our three kids.”
Klieman guided Kansas State to a Big 12 Championship in 2022 and reestablished the program as a consistent conference contender following the retirement of longtime coach Bill Snyder. With a 54-34 (.614) record, Klieman owns one of the strongest winning percentages in school history among coaches who have led the program at least five seasons, trailing only Snyder, who closed his second tenure with a 215-117 (.647) mark before stepping down in 2018.
The Wildcats finished the 2025 regular season 6-6, a year defined by narrow losses, offensive inconsistency and injuries. Kansas State began the campaign in Dublin, Ireland, with a 24-21 loss to Iowa State, the first of five one-score defeats on the year. The team started 1-3, marking its worst start to a season since 1989.
After joining Texas A&M in 2024, Klein helped guide the Aggies to a 5-0 start in SEC play, marking the program’s best conference start since 1998. The offense ranked second in the SEC in rushing behind a strong offensive line. Texas A&M ranks 16th nationally in scoring offense with 36.3 points per game this season. Klein is a semifinalist for the Broyles Award, given annually to the top assistant coach in college football.
Klein’s success at Kansas State and Texas A&M has cemented his status as one of college football’s top young offensive minds and a natural heir to the Wildcats program.
… Continue reading story here …
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December 2nd
All you need is love – or cash. BYU donors step up to keep Kalani Sitake as its head coach
From CBS Sports … Days ahead of the Big 12 Championship Game between BYU and Texas Tech, the Cougars have agreed to a long-term contract extension with coach Kalani Sitake.
Sitake emerged as the target of Penn State’s search on Monday, per multiple sources. He was offered by the Nittany Lions and momentum seemed to be trending toward the 50-year-old taking the Penn State job. However, sources told CBS Sports that BYU made an aggressive push over the last 24 hours to keep Sitake home. That culminated Tuesday when BYU announced its new deal with Sitake.
“We are excited to announce a long-term agreement to extend Kalani Sitake as BYU’s head football coach,” athletic director Brian Santiago said. “He is a proven leader, and we are grateful he is once again choosing BYU. His legacy of building a championship program the BYU way will continue on. He is one of the best people in the business. We are excited to continue to ride the wave of positive momentum with him.”
All of this came to a head the day before the start of the early signing period and just a few days out from BYU’s first appearance in the Big 12 title game. The 11th-ranked Cougars (11-1) remain a strong College Football Playoff contender and would clinch a spot in the 12-team bracket with a win over No. 4 Texas Tech on Saturday.
Amid all the Penn State discourse that emerged Monday, Sitake met with his team, per a source. He didn’t shoot down the Penn State rumors in that meeting.
But the BYU donor base has deep pockets, including Crumbl founder Jason McGowan, and they rallied to keep Sitake, an alumnus of the program, for the foreseeable future.
“I am humbled and full of gratitude for the outpouring of love from BYU fans and the trust and support provided to our football program by our university leadership,” Sitake said. “I’m thankful to President Shane Reese, Vice President Keith Vorkink and our Athletic Director Brian Santiago and his leadership team for the confidence they continue to place in me to lead our program and to take care of our players, coaches and staff. This is good for the stability and future of BYU football. I’m excited about our future.”
… Continue reading story here …
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December 1st
BYU head coach Kalani Sitake the focus of Penn State’s head-coaching search
From ESPN … BYU football coach Kalani Sitake is the focus of Penn State’s head-coaching search, sources told ESPN’s Pete Thamel, confirming a report by On3.
The sides have met and there is mutual interest, but no deal has been signed and there are still steps that need to happen before one comes together.
The sides have had discussions about staffing and other details of what Sitake’s tenure in State College would look like.
Sitake has stressed this week his focus is on Saturday’s Big 12 championship game against Texas Tech.
BYU, ranked No. 11 in the latest College Football Playoff Top 25, is 11-1, its lone loss coming against the Red Raiders.
Sitake, a former BYU football player, has coached the Cougars since 2016. Prior to that he served as defensive coordinator at Utah and Oregon State.
He is 83-44 in his head-coaching career, all at BYU.
Penn State is seeking a replacement for James Franklin, who was fired amid a 3-3 start to his 12th season that included losses to UCLA and Northwestern. Franklin has since been hired to coach Virginia Tech.
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UCLA targeting James Madison coach Bob Chesney for vacant head coaching position
From ESPN … James Madison coach Bob Chesney has emerged as the target of UCLA’s coaching search, sources told ESPN.
He’s set to sign a five-year deal with UCLA, according to ESPN sources, that will be finalized after James Madison’s Sun Belt championship game.
Chesney’s James Madison team is 11-1 this season and plays Troy this week in the Sun Belt championship. UCLA has agreed with James Madison that Chesney will coach the Dukes if JMU wins the Sun Belt and ends up in the College Football Playoff field as one of five highest-ranked conference champions.
Chesney informed his team of his intention to leave Monday, sources told ESPN. Chesney jumped to the top of the list of candidates in this frenetic college coaching cycle, drawing interest for a number of the top openings, as JMU is ranked No. 19 in both the Associated Press and AFCA Coaches polls.
… Continue reading story here …
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November 30th
Final answer: Lane Kiffin to LSU; LSU promotes defensive coordinator to head coach
From ESPN … LSU’s courtship of Lane Kiffin has come to an end, as he’s leaving Ole Miss to take the job in Baton Rouge and will not coach the Rebels in the College Football Playoff.
He announced both things Sunday afternoon, the culmination of a weeks-long saga that hung over the sport, prompted vicious debate and puts Kiffin in the unprecedented position of a head coach leaving his team and not coaching them in the College Football Playoff.
“After a lot of prayer and time spent with family, I made the difficult decision to accept the head coaching position at LSU,” Kiffin said in a statement Sunday.
His deal with LSU is for seven years and is worth approximately $12 million annually, with the potential for bonuses, a source told ESPN’s Pete Thamel. That would make him one of the highest-paid coaches in the sport.
Ole Miss responded quickly, promoting defensive coordinator Pete Golding to the school’s full-time coach soon after Kiffin left the football building for LSU.
“I was hoping to complete a historic six season run with this year’s team by leading Ole Miss through the playoffs, capitalizing on the team’s incredible success and their commitment to finish strong, and investing everything into a playoff run with guardrails in place to protect the program in any areas of concern,” Kiffin said in his statement.
“My request to do so was denied by Keith Carter despite the team also asking him to allow me to keep coaching them so they could better maintain their high level of performance. Unfortunately, that means Friday’s Egg Bowl was my last game coaching the Rebels.”
… Continue reading story here …
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Former Oregon State head coach Jonathan Smith out at Michigan State
From ESPN … Michigan State fired coach Jonathan Smith on Sunday, the school announced.
Michigan State finished 4-8 this season, including a 1-8 mark in the Big Ten.
“The 2025 football season has not lived up to our shared standards for Michigan State Football. While that does not fall solely on Jonathan Smith, it’s become necessary to make a coaching change in order to chart a new direction for the program,” vice president and athletic director J Batt said in a statement.
“We are appreciative of Coach Smith and the manner in which he represented Michigan State with class. Throughout a difficult season, the team continued to compete. While their efforts ultimately didn’t result in enough on-field success, they do speak highly for their character,” Batt said.
Smith’s overall record in two seasons as the Spartans’ coach was 9-15.
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November 28th
Oregon State and Stanford choose their new head coaches
… Significant news here in Bozeman. Earlier this week, it appeared that Montana State head coach Brent Vigen would be hired by Oregon State … Still many head coaching positions to be filled, so Bobcat fans still have plenty of time to worry …
Oregon State names Alabama co-offensive coordinator JaMarcus Shephard its next head coach
From ESPN … Oregon State has named Alabama co-offensive coordinator JaMarcus Shephard as the school’s next head coach, the school announced Friday.
The deal is for five years, per ESPN sources.
Shephard was also Alabama’s assistant head coach and wide receivers coach.
“I’m honored to lead the Oregon State University football program and to join a community that cares so deeply about its student-athletes,” Shephard said in a statement. “We will build a culture rooted in toughness, integrity, and relentless effort, and I’m excited to get to work with our players, staff, and supporters to write the next great chapter of Beaver football.”
Shephard brings significant experience in both the Pacific Northwest and in the Pac-12, as he has worked at both Washington State (2016) and was on Kalen DeBoer’s Washington staff (2022-23) that went to the national title game after the 2023 season.
Shephard replaces Trent Bray, who was fired with a 5-14 record in his second season this October. Oregon State is 2-9 this season, and the athletic department is dealing with the seismic financial shift that came with the traditional Pac-12 fracturing apart.
… Continue reading story here …
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Stanford names Washington Commanders quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard its new head coach
From ESPN … Stanford has hired Tavita Pritchard as the school’s next head coach, the school announced on Friday.
Pritchard is a former Stanford quarterback, assistant coach and coordinator. He is the Washington Commanders quarterbacks coach, a job he took in 2023 after various roles on the Stanford staff from 2010 to 2022.
Pritchard has received permission to leave the Commanders to join the Stanford staff, which sources say he’s expected to do after Washington plays Denver on Sunday night.
Pritchard emerged from a pool of more than 30 candidates in a process run by general manager Andrew Luck that included new athletic director John Donahoe, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Stanford president Jonathan Levin. Stanford’s pool included strong interest from both the college and NFL world.
“Tavita Pritchard is exactly the right head coach at the right time to help us build on the foundation of this season and lead Stanford football to its next great era,” Luck said in a statement. “Coach Pritchard is a culture builder, a teacher of football of the highest caliber, and a humble yet determined servant leader who is committed to the success of Stanford’s student-athletes. I could not be more excited to welcome Tavita, Caroline and their family back to campus.”
… Continue reading story here …
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November 26th
CU running backs coach Marshall Faulk hired as the new head coach at Southern University
Tweet from New Orleans reporter Batiste … Source: The deal is done. Marshall Faulk will be the next head coach for Southern University.
From Football Scoop … Southern University decided barely midway through Year 2 that it needed a reset from Terrence Graves after the program opened the 2025 season 1-6.
Though Graves guided the Jaguars to a SWAC Championship game-appearance and eight-win season in 2024, Southern has been searching for his replacement since late-October.
While interim head coach Fred McNair has been in consideration for the job, numerous sources tell FootballScoop that Southern officials are zeroing in their search on Marshall Faulk.
A New Orleans, Louisiana, native, who’s been beloved in his home state throughout his career due to his community-minded and philanthropic efforts, Faulk is finishing his first season as running backs coach for Deion Sanders at Colorado.
A College Football and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Faulk starred at San Diego State in his collegiate career and then shined first for the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts before he won a Super Bowl and was named NFL MVP with the then-St. Louis Rams.
Sources tell FootballScoop that Southern University, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has offered the job to Faulk, who could potentially coach his final game at Colorado Saturday at Kansas State.
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Colorado State hires UConn coach Jim Mora as its new head coach
From ESPN … UConn football coach Jim Mora is leaving the school to become the next head coach at Colorado State.
Colorado State athletic director John Weber announced Mora’s hiring Wednesday. Mora will be introduced as the Rams coach at a news conference Monday.
He will come to Colorado State as the school is joining the Pac-12, and Weber has been bullish about the Rams being at the top end of the Group of 5 schools in terms of finances.
“I am truly humbled to join CSU as we transition to the Pac-12 Conference,” Mora said in a statement. “I am excited to meet the team and look forward to connecting with the former players. I can’t wait for our family to become part of the Northern Colorado community.”
Huskies athletic director David Benedict said in a statement Wednesday that Mora informed him Tuesday night that he had accepted the Rams’ job.
“We are grateful for Coach Mora’s contributions to UConn over the past four seasons. He took on the challenge of rebuilding our football program and delivered results that exceeded expectations,” Benedict said. “… Coach Mora brought energy and a winning culture back to UConn football and put our program back on the national stage.”
Mora is coming off back-to-back nine-win seasons at UConn, a school that hadn’t had one since 2007. Mora led UConn to three bowl seasons in his four years there; the school had been to only one bowl game in the previous 11 years.
He will be Colorado State’s fourth coach since 2019, as it has churned through Mike Bobo, Steve Addazio and Jay Norvell. It fired Norvell last month midway through his fourth season. The school has played in only one bowl game since 2017.
Mora brings extensive coaching experience to Fort Collins, including six seasons as the head coach at UCLA. He won eight or more games in four of those years and has a 73-53 overall record across his 10 seasons as a college head coach.
He also had two stints as an NFL head coach, in Seattle and Atlanta. Mora had nearly two decades of experience on NFL staffs as an assistant coach and coordinator before becoming a head coach in Atlanta in 2004.
… Continue reading story here …
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32 Replies to “Coaching Carousel”
Here’s hoping that both Utah and Michigan tank
Linebackers coach seems like a good hire, to me. Can he recruit?
Go Buffs
Ps- how bout this Miami atm thriller? Came back from outside after 0-0 first half, and it’s 3-0 in the 4th. Go Tulane and jmu
Any possibility that Michigan talks to Kyle Whittingham about their HC position? I read the story in The Athletic and Coach Whittingham specifically said he is not retiring from coaching. I know he’s 66 years old but his record is excellent and his reputation is solid. He might be what they need at least for the short term / immediate future.
I don’t know who these Phillips and Box guys are. I will give them credit for bringing in some good high school players in spite of Sander’s quantity restriction. I assume they have the same responsibility vetting and persuading portal players that were “missed on” last year. I’m glad ?Marion is here for another reason . I feel he will have some more cred when selecting players on the O. Its early but right now the O line men in the portal are very slim pickins. I haven’t looked to see who is left or will be left after the portal opens but hopefully it we can grab 3 or 4 big guys who can move and are motivated. Skill players, on the other hand, are numerous as leaves on a tree
Obviously, I could be wrong, but rispress may have been part of the hit to miss ratio on the 2024 team. Let’s hope Darden Box, has the same mojo.
Go Buffs
Wow
Seems to be the answer to my and the Buff’s prayers……and earaches nightmare. Winning with creativity and less talent. The only thing missing I see is an occasional QB under center. The history and success that Marion has had should bolster the recruiting in high school and the portal. Speaking of which this is so timely before the portal. Any chance the three high school defectors reconsider? if they are even wanted back.
Another benefit is making the D better in practice, making the players better at reading and reacting. Shurmur’s one play play book is gone. If Marion extends his wild success here in Boulder it should be worth waiting for.
Earache, did you turn the podcast off when they went to the chalkboard?
2026 is going to be fun for you and me. An innovative offensive scheme and the dudes to execute it. Should be fun!
So about that d?
Go Buffs
I haven’t looked to see who is graduating, and of course, who hits the portal but if the Buffs are left with a decent core of players it should get better. My take is their heads weren’t in it being on the field so much and under so much pressure with the incompetent O. They did play very well at times unlike the O. If Marion gets even average scoring back success breeds success and as I said before the D will improve just by practicing against his offense. You like to nose around on the internet and seem to have some deep throat connections. We still don’t know if Livingstone going to stick around. Its still possible he could take an attractive offer elsewhere instead of getting fired.
The more I read, the more I like Marion as OC. Good recruiter. For fans of scheme, his sounds innovative, if not a bit retro with two back sets based on an option attack. I guess Jerry neuheisel interviewed too. He seems to have been a decent option, as well.
Sounds like Deion wants to lean on running the ball with tempo, and taking shots downfield for big plays if the defense stacks the box to slow the ground game.
Go Buffs
I know your were pulling for neuheisel. I know how you like those nepo babies. c
Cue your attention to a handful that did succeed but not by far the most who didn’t. Neuheisel may turn out to be a success but I would pick Marion over him for 2 reasons. One Marion’s O of course. Two neuheisel grew up with every advantage. Marion, on the other hand,pretty much organized his own rise. A guy like that will relate and motivate the players to leave it all out there which is something else you need when you are trying to win w/o AL or OHst players.
furthermore I am surprised neuheisel actually interviewed here after daddy’s slam of the ;program after he left.
Jerry would view CU merely as a stepping, no different than his ascot wearing father.
2nd thoughts
Are there any studs on the Sac team that might follow Marion here? O line men especially?
How many more shoes are going to drop with the staff? It wont bother me if Livingston is still here. I think moral might have been part of the D’s problem at times watching the O sputter and die.
Don’t know thing about him but from what I have read just now he checks some boxes.
First of all he is an up and comer and not a retread with a reserved seat on the carousel.
Run game and throws deep. The run part can’t help but be better than shurmur’s and throw deep? yeee haw. The entire game is too mired in dink.
The important thing now is Sanders can’t miss this time in the portal with the Oline. Hopefully Marion will have the most input on the kind of guys he wants. I have watched the portal now for the last couple of years and it wont be easy. Even the 3 star O linemen are the first to get snapped up.
and oh yeah. A few linebackers too please? The new rookies sound like players but they are barely 200lbs. They may need some shakes to get in the game the following year.
Cu new offensive coordinator is a college guy: Brennan Marion from sac state via unlv.
Seems like a good hire?
I guess he runs a “go-go” offense?
https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/brennan-marion-sacramento-state-hornets-colorado-buffaloes-football/
Maybe Deion wants to pick up the pace and spread a little?
Go Buffs. Or go go Buffs
I love this hire and thought he would be a good fit for a while now. The go-go offense is creative, pressures the defense in unique ways, and can be hard to prepare for. He has a saying about his offense “how you play when you don’t have the ball shows how much you love your teammates.” Bad blocking by wr, bad fakes by a qb will not be tolerated, he will bench those guys becuase his offense willnot work. The run games are also down hill running with line,an advancing to the second level. It’s a run heavy offense that stretches it vertical and he encourages his qb’s to take chances on deep balls. It also is a fast offense. Really looking forward to this.
Good stuff.
Go Buffs
reading in espn where it appears that Kiffin, lets just say, was less than honest about the situation and statements he made concerning his departure. This from the AD and the players. I guess a con man would make a good coach….until a bigger con comes along.
One thing Kiffin did say that is similar to a lot of decommits, portal runners and coaching defectors is “After a lot of prayer…..” So Lane, did Jesus come directly to you and give you his blessing to run? or did you just convince yourself he did?
Do these guys see a betting parlor on college football up in heaven? I mean, c’mon……
Will be interesting to see how Klein does compared to kleiman. Dude is a good coach. I wonder what he’ll do next? Analyst in Boulder?
Go Buffs
Analyst in Boulder?
I’m assuming that is one of your weird jokes
I crack myself up every day. Looks like sac state dude is the dude. I know nothing about him, and he’s in my back yard. Or was. But I trust Deion.
Go Buffs
Gotta love the team of the latter day saints. The mormon church is a multibillion dollar business organization but is tighter than a female rock star’s pants. They do eventually take care of their own. I can just see the emergency meeting of several strip city bishops with the BYU AD anxiously seated out in the hall.
You are are funny ep and spot on, make me laugh and shake my head at the same time
Kiffin is the poster boy for what is wrong with College football. Leaving his team with their entry in the cfp to go to death valley for maybe 20 percent more bucks when he is already making millions.
Death Valley looks like it has become the graveyard of coaches recently. Be funny if it buries Kiffin too but he wont care. He will get his money.
Mora senior was a CU assistant back in the day.
Jason eck may be a better coach than curt cignetti. He has arguably done more with less. Talk amongst yourselves.
Go Buffs
Talk amongst yourselves? Gee thanks Dad.
But what is that supposed to mean? Don’t give you any more crap about Cignetti? The coach with the number 2 team in the country and possibly more blow out wins than anyone else?
Earache is getting a little stale. I’m going to start calling you the bender kid. You get on one and never let go.
You missed the reference. You’re probably not the only one:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oiJkANps0Qw
It is a joke.
Go Buffs
Solid hire by CSU. Coach Mora resurrected UConn, which is no easy feat.
Truthfully, have no idea how good or bad Marshall Faulk was as the Buffs’ running back coach, which means I’ve no idea how good this hire is for Southern. I’ll not be disappointed if for a change a position coach is hired who has coaching experience regardless of whether he has a gold jacket.
What an amazing hire by the little lambs.
In retrospect, Mora did a pretty dang good job at UCLA, considering what’s happened since then. And he’s done well at Uconn.
The real question is why he didn’t try for another P4 job?
He’s a good coach. I think he likes the idea of living in Colorado. Has thrown his hat into the CU ring a time or two. If I recall maybe a daughter of his went to CU, as well?
Go Buffs