The 2025 College Football Playoff (CFP) is fast approaching. The buzz around the tournament is pretty hard to miss right now.
With the regular season wrapped up, teams are already gearing up for bowl season. Big changes are happening across a bunch of programs, and it’s not just the players feeling the pressure.
We’re seeing coaching shake-ups, staff moves, and even some administrative changes. College football is always shifting, but this year feels a little different.
Let’s take a look at what’s actually happening as teams get ready for the CFP.
Key Coaching Changes Ahead of the 2025 College Football Playoff
A handful of coaching changes are grabbing headlines right now. Ole Miss and LSU, in particular, are at the center of some of the biggest moves.
Five Ole Miss coaches are sticking with the Rebels through the CFP, even after head coach Lane Kiffin announced his move to LSU. It’s not every day you see that kind of split loyalty, but here we are.
- Charlie Weis Jr., Offensive Coordinator
- Dane Stevens, Assistant Quarterbacks Coach
- Joe Cox, Tight Ends Coach
- George McDonald, Wide Receivers Coach
- Sawyer Jordan, Slot Wide Receivers Coach
Kiffin’s move to LSU was made official on November 30. Ole Miss decided he wouldn’t coach the Rebels in the postseason, which, honestly, makes sense in this business.
The Rebels finished the season with an 11-1 record. They’re seeded sixth in the CFP and will host 11th seed Tulane on December 20.
Tulane’s Coaching Transition
Tulane’s got its own coaching story unfolding. Will Hall, their passing game coordinator and receivers coach, is set to become the next head coach after the CFP.
He’ll be taking over from Jon Sumrall, who’s heading to Florida. For now, Sumrall will stick around and coach Tulane through the postseason, which should help keep things steady for the players.
Hall’s already talking up Tulane’s culture and the energy around the program. Athletic Director David Harris sounds pretty thrilled, too—he’s all about Hall’s leadership and head coaching experience.
Tennessee’s Defensive Shake-Up
Tennessee’s head coach Josh Heupel made a tough call recently. He fired defensive coordinator Tim Banks on December 8.
Banks had been with the Volunteers for five years. He helped them reach the 2024 CFP and their defense was ranked fourth nationally in scoring last year, but things just didn’t click this season.
This year, Tennessee’s defense really struggled. They ranked 91st in the country and gave up an average of 28.7 points per game.
They allowed at least 33 points in every loss, finishing with a rough 45-25 defeat to Vanderbilt. That loss knocked them out of the AP Top 25.
Linebackers coach William Inge will step in as interim defensive coordinator for the Music City Bowl against Illinois on December 30.
William Inge’s Interim Role
Inge isn’t new to this kind of responsibility. He’s been co-defensive coordinator at Washington and the defensive coordinator at Fresno State.
His leadership will matter a lot as Tennessee tries to end the season on a better note. Maybe it’s a chance to reset for next year, too.
Baylor’s New Athletic Director
Off the field, Baylor University just named Doug McNamee as its new athletic director. This comes after Mack Rhoades resigned due to personal reasons.
McNamee’s a Baylor alum and used to be the senior associate athletic director for external affairs. He’s got serious experience in revenue, marketing, communications, and premium ticketing.
He played a huge part in getting McLane Stadium built and opened more than ten years ago. Now he’s back, and folks at Baylor seem optimistic about what he’ll bring to the table.
McNamee says he feels honored to take on the job. He’s talking about commitment to Baylor’s culture, history, and expectations—let’s see how it all plays out.
Looking Ahead to the 2025 CFP
The 2025 College Football Playoff is right around the corner. Coaching and administrative shakeups are already starting to shape the field.
The Rebels are rolling with interim leadership this year. Maybe they’ll surprise everyone and make a run in the tournament.
Tulane’s got a new head coach, Will Hall, stepping in. That’s bound to bring some changes, for better or worse.
Tennessee is hoping to bounce back, especially on defense, when they hit the Music City Bowl. Meanwhile, Baylor’s new athletic director will have their hands full guiding the program into its next chapter.
If you’re looking for more updates or want to dig deeper into the 2025 College Football Playoff, check out Fox Sports. There’s always something new popping up this time of year.
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