2023-24 College Football Coaching Carousel

The silly season of hirings, firings, rumors and innuendo is upon us as we flip the page to November — and several assistants are already on the move. Big head coaching jobs are available and some will soon make their hires.

The biggest piece on the board is Texas A&M, where Jimbo Fisher was fired Nov. 12 after six up-and-down seasons. Changes have occurred atop the food chain at Northwestern (before the season) and Michigan State, but those were for off-the-field issues. More moves 

Overall, between 500 to 600 coaches change jobs every year in the FBS. Roughly 509 coaches, including 24 head coaches, changed jobs in the 2022-23 cycle, according to 247Sports’ data.

Nov. 24

Michigan State: News broke Saturday night that Michigan State has targeted Oregon State’s Jonathan Smith as its top candidate for its head coaching vacancy. Nicole Auerbach of NBC Sports first reported the news, which was then confirmed by 247Sports’ Spartan Tailgate reporter Justin Thind. Smith was the 2022 Pac-12 Coach of the Year and entered Friday’s game vs. Oregon with an 18-6 record the last two seasons. 

Mississippi State: Oklahoma offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby, fresh off a 69-point Sooner outing Friday vs. TCU, addressed increasing chatter that has him linked to the opening at Mississippi State. “To me, there’s a time and a place for all of it,” Lebby said of the rumors, via 247Sports’ Sooners Illustrated. “Had great focus on today, finishing the regular season here at home today. Hopefully the chops fall in our favor, and we get to go play next weekend (in the Big 12 title game. We’ll see about that, but that’s about it.” Lebby reportedly interviewed for the Bulldogs’ opening this week. 

Louisiana Tech: Louisiana Tech defensive backs coaches Myles Carelock and Nate Johnson were not retained when defensive coordinator Sean Power was fired earlier this week, 247Sports has confirmed.

Nov. 22

NEW INTEL: Liberty coach Jamey Chadwell is no longer a name of interest at Mississippi State, sources tell 247Sports’ Brandon Marcello and Matt Zenitz. Chadwell is happy at Liberty and plans to stay with the Flames as they look to improve upon their 11-0 record this week. Zenitz has more intel on the coaching searches at Michigan State and Texas A&M here.

Nov. 19

Louisiana Tech: Defensive coordinator Scott Power has been fired at Louisiana Tech, a person familiar with the decision tells 247Sports’ Brandon Marcello. Power’s defenses were among the worst nationally in his two seasons with the Bulldogs, ranking 118th this season and 128th in 2022 in scoring defense.

Arkansas: Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek informed Razorbacks players and staff last night that he’s sticking with Sam Pittman as the team’s head coach, sources tell 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz. 

Syracuse: Syracuse will fire veteran coach Dino Babers amid his sixth losing season at the program in eight years, Matt Zenitz reports. The Orange (5-6, 1-6 ACC) squandered a chance at reaching bowl eligibility with Saturday’s loss at Georgia Tech and host Wake Forest next week.

Nov. 17

Michigan: The Wolverines fired linebackers coach Chris Partridge and promoted analyst Rick Minter, the father of defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, to step in as linebackers coach for the remainder of the season. Patridge attempted to destroy evidence the NCAA and Big Ten were seeking in connection to the sign-stealing scandal with former analyst Connor Stalions, according to Yahoo! Sports.

Texas A&M: The Aggies conducted a virtual interview for their head coaching vacancy with UTSA’s Jeff Traylor, GigEm247 confirms. The interview was first reported by the Austin American-Statesman. 

Nov. 16

NEW INTEL: 247Sports has the latest intel and rumors on potential changes coming at UCLA, Houston, North Carolina, Arkansas, Texas A&M, Clemson and more in a jam-packed notebook published today for VIP subscribers.

Nov. 15

Northwestern: Northwestern will remove the interim tag and name David Braun as its head coach, a source tells 247Sports. Coaches were informed of the decision Wednesday afternoon. Braun stepped in as interim head coach in July following the dismissal of Pat Fitzgerald. Northwestern is 5-5 and fighting for bowl eligibility with Purdue and Illinois remaining on the schedule. The Wildcats had won only four games combined the previous two seasons.

Nov. 14

UCLA: Chip Kelly’s career might be nearing an end at UCLA. The coach’s future is uncertain and UCLA power brokers are preparing to make a change as soon as next week as the school prepares to jump to the Big Ten next season, sources told 247Sports’ Bruin Report Online on Tuesday. UCLA faces crosstown rival USC on Saturday at The Coliseum, so a win could complicate matters, separate sources told 247Sports.

Nov. 13

San Diego State: San Diego State head coach Brady Hoke will retire after the season, according to multiple reports. The Aztecs are 3-6 in the fourth season of Hoke’s second stint as head coach with the program. He led the Aztecs to a 12-2 record in 2021. He was previously the SDSU head coach in 2009 and 2010 before leaving for Michigan, where he was 31-20 in four seasons.

Mississippi State: Mississippi State has fired Zach Arnett after only 10 games as head coach. Arnett stepped in as head coach after the death of Mike Leach in December. The Bulldogs are coming off a 51-10 loss at Texas A&M. Arnett was 4-6 as head coach. Our Mississippi State experts continue to update the Bulldogs’ hot board, with Version 4.0 containing some huge updates on top candidates. 

Nov. 12

Penn State: Penn State has fired offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich, reports Lions247. The Nittany Lions have been abysmal against top-5 opponents this season. Quarterback Drew Allar was 10 of 22 passing for 70 yards and one touchdown Saturday in a 24-15 loss to Michigan.

Boise State: Boise State has fired head coach Andy Avalos after nearly three seasons, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Avalos sported a 22-14 record in Boise, which included a 10-4 year in 2022 in which he earned Mountain West Coach of the Year honors, but the totality of his tenure was below Boise State’s lofty standards as a one-time Group of Five power. 

Texas A&M: Texas A&M has fired Jimbo Fisher after six up-and-down seasons leading the program, reports TexAgs. Defensive line coach Elijah Robinson will serve as interim head coach. Fisher was 45-25 overall in six seasons and will be owed roughly $76.8 million, according to his contract. Here’s our preliminary look at what Texas A&M’s hot board might look like. 

Nov. 9

Colorado: Industry insiders polled by 247Sports were confused about Deion Sanders’ decision to demote offensive coordinator Sean Lewis, with one agent terming it as “baffling.” Sources also believe Lewis will be a desired OC candidate this upcoming offseason but is unlikely to return to his perch as a head coach. You can read more about the latest in Boulder here.

Nov. 5

USC: USC has fired defensive coordinator Alex Grinch. The Trojans rank 121st nationally in scoring defense (34.5 points per game) and 119th nationally in total defense following a 52-42 loss to Washington. Defensive line coach Shaun Nua and inside linebackers coach Brian Odom will serve as interim co-defensive coordinators for the remainder of the season. Defensive analyst Taylor Mays will move to an on-field role to coach safeties.

Nov. 3

Colorado: Colorado has demoted offensive coordinator Sean Lewis in favor of quality control analyst Pat Shurmur, who will call plays Saturday against Oregon State, reports The Action Network. A source confirmed the report to 247Sports. Lewis is expected to signal plays on game days, meaning another coach on staff will likely have to take an off-field role.