College football never really stands still. Lately, there’s been a noticeable uptick in FBS assistant coaches jumping ship for the NFL. The coaching carousel spins faster now, fueled by the promise of pro gigs and the headaches caused by NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) and the transfer portal.
It feels like every week, another big name heads for the pros. Let’s poke around at what’s really driving these moves and what it might mean for the sport as a whole.
The Exodus to the NFL: What’s Driving It?
Coaches leaving for the NFL isn’t exactly new, but wow, the pace has picked up. In January 2024, Jeff Hafley left Boston College to become the Packers’ defensive coordinator. He didn’t mince words about his frustrations with college football these days.
Hafley talked openly about the chaos of roster management, tampering, and the relentless pressure of NIL deals. His move seems to sum up what a lot of coaches are feeling—maybe the NFL looks like a place to just coach again, without all the extra noise.
Challenges in College Football
So what’s making college coaches so restless?
- NIL and Transfer Portal: NIL has flipped the script. Now, coaches juggle player endorsements and the wild world of the transfer portal more than ever.
- Roster Management: Players come and go constantly. Building a team that sticks together? That’s getting tougher, and the line between recruiting and tampering gets blurrier every year.
- Revenue Sharing: Even with revenue sharing, coaches say it doesn’t really ease the burden. Sometimes, the money talk drowns out the actual football.
Recent High-Profile Departures
This past month alone, at least 17 FBS assistant coaches have taken NFL jobs. That’s not a blip—it’s a real shift.
- Harland Bower: Duke’s EDGE coach joined the Ravens.
- Matt Merritt: Miami’s RBs coach moved to the Cardinals.
- Lou Esposito: Michigan’s defensive line coach transitioned to the Ravens.
- Jimmy Thompson: Vanderbilt’s Nickels coach joined the Chargers.
- C.J. Ah You: Texas Tech’s EDGEs/OLBs coach moved to the Steelers.
- Noah Pauley: Penn State’s WRs coach joined the Packers.
Impact on College Programs
Losing experienced coaches can leave college teams scrambling. When key staff bail, it messes with recruiting and can throw a wrench in on-field plans.
Notre Dame, for example, recently lost multiple defensive assistants. That could shake up their defensive strategy and slow down player development.
The Broader Implications
All these moves raise a bunch of questions about where college football is headed next. If the NFL keeps luring away talent, maybe it’s time for colleges to rethink how they handle coaching contracts and compensation.
One industry insider even mentioned most college coaches would take a pay cut just to work in the NFL. That says a lot about how the pro game is perceived right now.
Potential Solutions
What could actually help here? A few ideas come to mind:
- Enhanced Support for Coaches: More resources to help coaches deal with NIL and the transfer portal might ease the load a bit.
- Contract Adjustments: Maybe reworking buyouts or pay structures would make staying in college football more appealing.
- Clearer Regulations: Stricter rules around tampering and NIL could bring some much-needed stability for everyone involved.
The exodus of FBS assistant coaches to the NFL keeps picking up steam. It’s honestly a sign of just how tough things have gotten for college football lately.
Programs are wrestling with the chaos of NIL deals and the ever-spinning transfer portal. No wonder the NFL seems more appealing for some of the best coaching minds out there.
If you’re curious and want to dig into the details, check out the full article on On3’s website.
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews
