With the College Football Playoff expanding and a lack of marquee jobs opening up, this year’s coaching carousel certainly lacked the sizzle of last season. The 2025 offseason saw just one opening in the SEC and Big Ten combined, along with only five power conference jobs overall. Outside of Bill Belichick’s surprising move to North Carolina, the carousel flew under the radar, leaving fans and analysts alike wondering what happened to the excitement of previous years.
Several coaches, notably Florida’s Billy Napier and Baylor’s Dave Aranda, managed to play their way off the hot seat. Others, like Florida State’s Mike Norvell, had massive buyouts that provided them with a layer of protection. It’s a reminder that while the coaching landscape can be volatile, some coaches have found stability amidst the chaos.
New hires and coaching changes
This year’s coaching changes brought five new hires, including three coaches with power conference experience who were fired from their last Power 5 positions: Scott Frost, Rich Rodriguez, and Barry Odom. Additionally, two coaches returned to their roots to revive their college careers—Frost back to UCF and Rodriguez back to West Virginia. Jack Dickert, who transitioned from a Power 5 job to a Group of Five job while still at the same school, is now back in the Power 4 fold. The carousel may have been quieter, but it still produced some intriguing storylines.
Plucking head coaches from the Group of Five level remains the top choice for athletic directors. The “other” category saw an uptick this year with the hirings of Frost and Belichick, both of whom were out of college football last season. Notable recent successful hires from this category include Kansas State’s Chris Klieman, Colorado’s Deion Sanders, and Illinois’ Bret Bielema. The trend shows that schools are willing to look beyond traditional routes to find their next leader.
Grading college football coaching hires for 2025
Now, let’s dive into the grades for the new hires across various programs, listed alphabetically.
North Carolina — Bill Belichick
There is no precedent for this hire. While you might think of Pete Carroll, who took over at USC after a long NFL career, Belichick’s situation is entirely different—he has no college coaching experience whatsoever. Should we give this an “A” for landing a six-time Super Bowl-winning coach? Or does it deserve an “F” for bringing in a big name whose primary goal may be to return to the NFL? We’re leaning more toward “A,” but it’s important to note that this isn’t a long-term hire, and any success may not be sustainable.
Grade: B-
Purdue — UNLV head coach Barry Odom
Odom arrives at Purdue after an impressive two-year stint at UNLV, where he turned around a program that had just one winning season in the previous 22 years. Under his leadership, UNLV achieved a 9-5 record in 2023 and an 11-3 mark in 2024, even after losing his starting quarterback mid-season. However, Odom’s previous tenure at Missouri ended with a 25-25 record, and he’ll need to replicate his recent success quickly at Purdue, a program known for its unpredictability.
Grade: B+
UCF — Scott Frost
Frost’s return to UCF is one of the most talked-about moves of the cycle. He had one winning season in seven years as a head coach, but that season was unforgettable—UCF went 13-0 in 2017. After a disastrous run at Nebraska, where he was fired after three games in 2022, Frost is back at a school where he once thrived. However, college football has changed dramatically since his last successful run, with new dynamics like NIL, the transfer portal, and conference realignment. Can he adapt?
Grade: D
Wake Forest — Washington State head coach Jack Dickert
Dickert took over as head coach at Washington State unexpectedly and has proven to be a solid leader. He navigated the challenges of the Pac-12’s dissolution and led the Cougars to a 23-20 record, including an unforgettable win against Washington. Now, as he steps into the role at Wake Forest, he faces a different set of challenges. However, his experience in tough situations could serve him well.
Grade: B+
West Virginia — Jacksonville State head coach Rich Rodriguez
Rodriguez’s return to West Virginia marks a significant homecoming. He has had success at every stop, except for a rocky tenure at Michigan. His previous time at West Virginia saw him lead the program to national prominence, and he’s been on the upswing at Jacksonville State. With a balanced Big 12 ahead of him, there’s every reason to believe he can quickly elevate the Mountaineers back into contention.
Grade: A
Looking ahead
As the dust settles on this year’s coaching carousel, it’s clear that while the excitement may have waned compared to previous seasons, there are still compelling narratives to follow. The hires reflect a blend of experience, potential, and nostalgia, promising to keep fans engaged as these coaches embark on their new journeys. Whether they succeed or struggle, one thing is for sure: college football never fails to deliver drama and intrigue.
