The end of the 2025 college football regular season brought seismic shifts in the coaching landscape. High-profile changes are set to reshape the sport in ways we might not even see coming yet.
Lane Kiffin’s dramatic move to LSU and James Franklin’s new role at Virginia Tech headline a wild coaching carousel. As we look ahead to 2026, here’s a look at the most significant coaching changes across the country, and a few thoughts on what they might mean for the teams involved.
SEC: The Epicenter of Change
The SEC never disappoints when it comes to coaching drama. This year, the spotlight is on Lane Kiffin leaving Ole Miss for LSU.
Kiffin’s exit was so sudden that Ole Miss didn’t let him finish the postseason. Defensive coordinator Pete Golding was promoted to head coach—just like that.
Lane Kiffin to LSU
Lane Kiffin now leads LSU, stepping in after Brian Kelly was fired following a 5-3 start to the 2025 season. Baton Rouge is buzzing, and honestly, who wouldn’t be curious to see how Kiffin shakes things up?
The Kiffin era opens with a tough matchup against Clemson. Doesn’t get much more high-stakes than that.
Pete Golding at Ole Miss
Pete Golding is now the head coach at Ole Miss. He’d been with the Rebels since 2023 as defensive coordinator, so at least there’s some continuity.
His promotion signals Ole Miss wants to keep building on recent momentum, but whether that works out—well, we’ll see.
Alex Golesh to Auburn
Alex Golesh is the new guy at Auburn, taking over for Hugh Freeze. Golesh made a name for himself at South Florida, going 23-15 in three seasons.
Auburn fans are hoping he can spark something similar on the Plains. It’s a tall order, but hey, stranger things have happened.
Big Ten: New Faces, New Beginnings
The Big Ten saw its own share of shakeups, with a few familiar names popping up in new places.
James Franklin to Virginia Tech
James Franklin, after a long run at Penn State, is now at Virginia Tech. His time at Penn State ended after a rough start in 2025.
Franklin’s tasked with reviving the Hokies and, honestly, it’s a big job. Can he pull it off? Maybe.
Matt Campbell to Penn State
Matt Campbell steps in at Penn State after a decade at Iowa State. He was consistently solid with the Cyclones, and now he inherits a program with big expectations.
Restoring Penn State’s luster won’t be easy, but Campbell’s got the chops for it.
Pat Fitzgerald to Michigan State
Pat Fitzgerald is back in the Big Ten, this time with Michigan State. He brings plenty of experience from his years at Northwestern.
Fitzgerald replaces Jonathan Smith, who was let go after a 4-8 season. Michigan State needs a turnaround, and Fitzgerald’s got a shot to deliver it.
Pac-12: A Season of Rebuilding
The Pac-12 is in the middle of a major overhaul. Several teams have brought in new head coaches, hoping for a fresh start.
Kirby Moore to Washington State
Kirby Moore takes over at Washington State, following Jimmy Rogers’ departure. Moore’s experience as Missouri’s offensive coordinator gives him a solid foundation for this new gig.
It’s a big step up, and the Cougars are banking on his offensive mind to steer them forward.
JaMarcus Shephard to Oregon State
JaMarcus Shephard is now the head coach at Oregon State, replacing Trent Bray. Shephard comes in from Alabama, where he built a strong coaching résumé.
Turning around the Beavers won’t be simple, but there’s some optimism here.
Bob Chesney to UCLA
Bob Chesney heads to UCLA after making waves at James Madison. He led JMU to the College Football Playoff, which is no small feat.
Bruins fans have reason to be excited—Chesney’s track record speaks for itself.
American Athletic Conference: Internal Promotions and Fresh Faces
The American Athletic Conference has had its own mix of promotions and new hires. Some familiar faces, some wild cards.
Will Hall at Tulane
Will Hall has been promoted to head coach at Tulane, stepping in for Jon Sumrall. Hall was the passing game coordinator last season and has head coaching experience from West Alabama, West Georgia, and Southern Miss.
It’s a logical move, but time will tell if it pays off.
Brian Hartline to USF
Brian Hartline takes his first head coaching job at USF, replacing Alex Golesh. Hartline was Ohio State’s offensive coordinator, so he’s got some creative ideas for the Bulls’ offense.
There’s a bit of a gamble here, but the upside is intriguing.
Charles Huff to Memphis
Charles Huff is the new man at Memphis, following Ryan Silverfield’s move to Arkansas. Huff had a big turnaround at Southern Miss, which probably helped land him this job.
Memphis fans are hoping he can work the same magic in the Bluff City.
Independents: New Leadership for New Challenges
Independent schools are making moves too. New head coaches are stepping in, each with their own challenges ahead.
Jason Candle to UConn
Jason Candle is UConn’s new head coach, coming from Toledo. He racked up an 81-44 record with the Rockets over ten years, which is nothing to sneeze at.
Now, he’s tasked with elevating the Huskies. Not an easy job, but he’s got the experience.
Jim Mora to Colorado State
Jim Mora takes over at Colorado State, bringing a deep résumé from UCLA and the NFL. Mora’s leadership and experience could be just what the Rams need.
Stability and success? That’s the hope, anyway.
Other Notable Changes
Several other programs made coaching changes that could shake things up in their own way.
Neal Brown to North Texas
Neal Brown is now at North Texas, after Eric Morris left for Oklahoma State. Brown previously coached at West Virginia and inherits a team coming off an 11-2 season.
There’s pressure to keep the good times rolling.
John Hauser to Ohio
John Hauser has been promoted to head coach at Ohio, replacing Brian Smith. Hauser’s background with the Bobcats’ defense gives him a leg up as he takes over the top job.
Alonzo Carter to Sacramento State
*Alonzo Carter* steps in at Sacramento State, taking the reins as the Hornets enter their first season in the FBS. He brings experience from stints at Arizona and Contra Costa, which honestly makes him a pretty compelling pick for this big moment.
Want to see all the new head coaches and their schools? Take a look at the full article on Yahoo Sports.
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