College football’s landscape is shifting fast, and it’s all thanks to the rise of NIL—Name, Image, and Likeness. It’s not just about players making money now; it’s a deep shift that’s rattling old ideas and biases that have been around forever.
As you look at where college football stands today, something’s clear: the way fans and insiders cling to their favorite programs, or the people running them, is being challenged. There’s a recalibration happening, though it’s messy and not everyone loves it.
Let’s dig into what’s really changing, how NIL is shaking up coaching jobs, and maybe what this all means for the sport’s future. Spoiler: it’s not all clean lines and easy answers.
The Ego Problem in College Football
College football’s always had its own weird structure—leagues, conferences, divisions, you name it. That setup breeds a certain arrogance, if we’re honest. People get attached to their teams and start to overvalue them, seeing everything through these thick, rose-colored glasses.
This isn’t some brand-new issue, but lately, it’s gotten a lot more obvious. The recent flood of big-name coaching vacancies has really put the ego problem under a spotlight.
High-Profile Coaching Vacancies
2025’s shaping up to be wild. There are more coveted head coaching jobs open than anyone can remember. We’re talking LSU, Penn State, Florida, Auburn, Stanford, UCLA, Arkansas, Oregon State, UAB, and Colorado State—all looking for new leadership.
Despite all these openings, the conversation keeps circling back to the same handful of coaches. Lane Kiffin, Eli Drinkwitz, Jon Sumrall, and Marcus Freeman—those are the names everyone keeps tossing around.
The thing is, four guys can’t fill eleven jobs. If they stay put, the hiring process could turn into a circus. It just shows how unrealistic and biased some of these programs have become about their own draw.
The Impact of NIL on College Football
NIL has flipped the script. It’s no longer about how many trophies are in the case or what legends played there. Now, it’s all about who can bring in the bucks.
Operating budgets are the new measuring stick. That might make some folks uncomfortable, but it’s the reality.
Budget as the New Currency
If a program can rake in revenue, it’s got a leg up. Money talks in recruiting, in hiring coaches, and when it comes to making the playoffs.
Ohio State, Alabama, Georgia—they’re probably not going anywhere. Not because of tradition, but because they’re cash machines. That’s just how things are trending with NIL in play.
On the flip side, schools with big names but little NIL focus? They’re at risk. Top recruits aren’t just following the old powerhouses anymore. They’re chasing the best deals, wherever those might be.
Challenging the Traditional Tiers
People love to rank programs—LSU and Notre Dame at the top, then Penn State and Auburn, and so on down. But NIL is starting to blur those lines.
Money is what matters now. It’s not as simple as old-school prestige.
The Case of Matt Rhule and Nebraska
Take Matt Rhule and Nebraska. There was all this talk about whether he’d jump ship for Penn State. But is Penn State really that much better than Nebraska these days?
That’s the kind of question people are asking now. In the NIL world, it’s less about the name and more about what a program can actually offer.
The Future of College Football
What’s next? Honestly, it’s going to depend on who adapts. Programs that cling to tradition but ignore the money side are probably in trouble.
But if a school gets smart about revenue and NIL, they’re set up to win. That’s just the new game.
Potential for Increased Parity
The NIL era could shake things up and bring more parity to college football. As schools get creative with new revenue streams, we might see a wider mix of teams playing at a high level.
That could really challenge the dominance of the usual powerhouses. Suddenly, the sport feels more unpredictable—and honestly, that’s a good thing for fans who crave excitement.
If you want to dig deeper into how NIL is changing college football and what’s going on with coaching vacancies, check out the full article on Sporting News.
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