The landscape of college football coaching jobs is changing fast. Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin, who’s never shy about sharing his thoughts, recently pointed out what really matters now when it comes to landing a good gig.
It used to be all about flashy facilities, strong recruiting areas, and program prestige. But now, Kiffin says, those things aren’t at the top of the list anymore. The rise of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) resources has totally shifted the conversation.
The Changing Priorities in College Football Coaching Jobs
Kiffin’s name has popped up for a lot of high-profile jobs over the years. In a recent press conference, he talked about how the job market for coaches has changed. Back in the day, you wanted the best weight room and a campus in a talent-rich state—those were the big selling points.
But in 2025? He’s pretty clear: NIL is the new king. Facilities, recruiting, and prestige still matter, but they’re not running the show anymore.
The Rise of NIL as a Decisive Factor
Kiffin points out that NIL has flipped the script. When coaches look at new opportunities, the first thing they want to know is how strong the school’s NIL collective is. It’s not just about how much money is in the pot—it’s about how well it’s managed, too.
This focus on NIL is changing the competitive balance in college football. It’s a whole new game, honestly.
- Facilities: Used to be the main selling point, but NIL has taken over.
- Recruiting Footprint: Still matters, just not as much as before.
- Program Prestige: Nice to have, but NIL power tends to overshadow it these days.
The Impact of NIL on Coaching Decisions
Kiffin’s been pretty blunt about this: salary isn’t what drives his career moves. What he wants is resources for his players. That’s where NIL comes in.
He actually compares it to Major League Baseball. Teams with bigger payrolls usually win more over time. Makes sense, right?
Funding for Players: The New Priority
Now, if you can offer big NIL deals, you’ve got a real edge. Kiffin says the underdogs can pull off surprises sometimes, but if you want to keep winning, you need financial muscle.
The focus has shifted from building fancy facilities or paying assistant coaches top dollar to making sure players get compensated. That’s a pretty big change for college football.
*Just look at professional sports,* Kiffin said. *Something like baseball, and the payrolls. Over time, who wins and who doesn’t win?*
Traditional Factors Still Matter
Even with all the attention on NIL, some old-school factors haven’t disappeared. Kiffin admits stadium size, tradition, and a program’s history still catch recruits’ eyes. Being close to a talent-rich area helps, too.
But let’s be real—these things are playing second fiddle to NIL right now.
The Balance Between Tradition and Modernity
NIL might be changing everything, but college football’s traditions and history still mean something. Kiffin seems to think the best programs will find a way to balance both worlds if they want to keep winning.
- Stadium Size: Recruits still love playing in front of a big crowd.
- Program Traditions: Heismans, national titles, all that legacy stuff? Still a big deal.
- Location: Being near a lot of talent is always handy.
Conclusion: The Future of College Football Coaching
Lane Kiffin’s thoughts give us a peek at where college football coaching might be heading. With NIL on the rise, schools really have to rethink how they approach building strong collectives and backing their players.
Facilities and program history? Sure, they’re still important. But honestly, they’re not the main thing coaches look for anymore.
If you want to dig deeper into what Kiffin has to say about all this change, check out the full article on USA Today.
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