College Football Coaching Carousel Poised for Tumultuous End of Season
Pressure mounts on USC's Lincoln Riley and Colorado's Deion Sanders as several coaching vacancies could trigger a cascade of changes.
The college football coaching landscape is bracing for potential upheaval as the regular season nears its close, with significant pressure on high-profile coaches like USC's Lincoln Riley and Colorado's Deion Sanders. Several existing vacancies and the precarious situations of other coaches suggest a potentially volatile end to the season.
Maryland has already parted ways with head coach Mike Locksley, creating one of three current openings alongside NC State and Baylor. The upcoming slate of games could further destabilize coaching positions across the nation.
The financial implications of coaching changes are also a significant factor. Reports suggest that Florida State is contemplating the future of head coach Mike Norvell, with the university administration issuing a statement focused on supporting student-athletes without mentioning the coach. Some within the program reportedly favor avoiding a substantial buyout, estimated at $50 million, to reallocate funds toward roster development for the 2027 season.
Lincoln Riley's tenure at USC is reportedly under scrutiny. Following a recent loss to Wisconsin, industry chatter suggests that a defeat to Ohio State this weekend, particularly against a backup quarterback, could accelerate discussions about his future. Athletic director Jen Cohen, who did not hire Riley, is reportedly aware of the coach's potential interest in returning to Texas. Destinations like Baylor, which recently fired Dave Aranda, or potentially TCU, depending on Sonny Dykes' situation, have been mentioned as possibilities. Riley's buyout is reported to be around $70 million, though this figure could be reduced if he were to accept another college coaching position. USC faces a challenging schedule ahead, with games against Indiana and UCLA following the Ohio State matchup.
Meanwhile, the situation at Colorado under Deion Sanders appears to be deteriorating. After a promising 2024 season, the Buffaloes have struggled to a 3-9 record in 2025 and are currently 2-5. The initial excitement surrounding Sanders, bolstered by players like Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders, has waned. Reports indicate a potential $25 million buyout for Sanders. The team faces Kansas State next, and with declining attendance and dwindling patience in Boulder, the athletic department, under Fernando Lovo, may need to address the financial commitment required to part ways with Sanders.
Several other coaching positions across college football are expected to become available in the coming weeks as the season concludes, potentially leading to a widespread reshuffling of head coaches.