Coaches May Have Missed Their Window for a Big Gig
Three successful college football coaches who stayed loyal to their programs may have gambled and lost on their chances at larger opportunities.
In college football, the hot seat can turn into a victory lap very quickly. For coaches Kenny Dillingham of Arizona State, Jedd Fisch of Washington, and Brent Key of Georgia Tech, a year ago they were considered among the sport's most sought-after names. Now, as their teams struggle in the 2025 season, questions are emerging about whether they missed their chance to parlay their success into roles at more established Power 4 programs.
Just two years after an improbable run to the College Football Playoff, Dillingham's Arizona State Sun Devils are 2-2 with a struggling offense. This starkly contrasts with their Big 12 championship season in 2024, which saw them overcome NCAA sanctions and previous losing records.
Similarly, Fisch's Washington Huskies, who reached national championship contention in 2023 under his predecessor, saw promise in 2024 with a 9-win season and a standout quarterback. However, the team has since fallen short of expectations.
Meanwhile, Key's Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets climbed to their highest AP Poll ranking in nearly two decades in 2024, reaching as high as No. 7 and finishing the season ranked for the first time since 2014. This year, the team is a shadow of its former self.
These programs, unlike consistently dominant ones such as Ohio State or Georgia, rely on capitalizing on narrow windows of opportunity. Coaches at these "mid-tier" Power 4 schools must seize success when it arrives.
In the past hiring cycle, Dillingham, Fisch, and Key were frequently linked to major openings. Dillingham was reportedly considered for the Florida State and Michigan jobs. Fisch was also a candidate for Michigan and was heavily discussed for the Florida position, partly due to his ties to the university. Key was also mentioned as a potential candidate for the Florida opening.
All three coaches opted to remain at their current posts. For Dillingham and Key, staying at their alma maters may have played a role. However, the current struggles of their teams raise the question of whether they gambled by not taking advantage of the offers that were available.
Unlike established programs with robust infrastructure and consistent talent pipelines, schools like Arizona State, Washington, and Georgia Tech depend on maximizing short periods of success. The narrative surrounding college football coaching often emphasizes recent performance, with athletic directors frequently exhibiting recency bias.
If these teams continue to falter, their coaches may find themselves less appealing when higher-level positions become available. While loyalty and patience are virtues, in the high-stakes world of Power 4 college football, a coach's value is often tied to their most recent season.
The situation draws parallels to Matt Campbell's tenure at Iowa State. Campbell also experienced highly successful seasons in 2020 and 2024, turning down other opportunities before eventually accepting the Penn State job a year later. His path suggests that sometimes, patience can pay off, but it also carries the risk of missing a prime chance.