2025 College Football Coaching Carousel Expected Major SEC, Big Ten Changes

The 2025-2026 college football coaching carousel is shaping up to be one of the most chaotic and impactful in recent years, with at least 10-12 FBS head coaching vacancies already open and more expected to emerge. High-profile openings at programs like Penn State, LSU, Florida, and UCLA are sparking a domino effect, where the hiring of one coach triggers vacancies and further moves across the landscape. LSU's recent firing of Brian Kelly and Florida's move on from Billy Napier highlight the SEC's intense coaching shakeups, while Penn State's firing of James Franklin is stirring major interest for a proven program builder to restore its Big Ten prominence. The pursuit of top candidates such as Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss, and the potential return of Lincoln Riley to Texas A&M, are key storylines driving this upheaval. Experts emphasize that while name recognition often dominates hiring decisions, successful programs depend on coaches who consistently win at all levels, not just big names, suggesting schools should focus on proven winners rather than marquee appeal. Overall, the coaching carousel will reshape multiple conferences as programs seek to reposition themselves competitively for the coming seasons.