Who’s in Who’s Out: 2025 College Football Coaching Changes
After the 2024 season concluded, most Big Ten and SEC teams retained their head coaches, signaling rare stability in two of college football’s most dominant conferences. However, across the broader FBS landscape, change swept in with force—26 teams from major conferences hired new head coaches. The moves range from NFL legends stepping into college roles to rising strategists from smaller schools eager to scale up. These transitions reveal a reshaping of teams' identities, ambitions, and tactical approaches. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of every new head coach across major and mid-tier schools for the 2025 cycle.
Major Conference Shakeups
The University of North Carolina made headlines with the selection of Bill Belichick, a six-time Super Bowl champion, to replace longtime coach Mack Brown. Belichick’s arrival drew intense media attention—not only for his legacy but also due to his relationship with 24-year-old Jordon Hudson, which he clarified had no connection to football operations. Wake Forest hired former Washington State coach Jake Dickert after Dave Clawson stepped down following an 11-year tenure. Dickert guided the Cougars to an 8–4 record during a chaotic Pac-12 season and successfully rebuilt a schedule post-conference collapse. Stanford dismissed Troy Taylor amid investigations into his treatment of staff and brought in NFL veteran Frank Reich, a move facilitated by team GM Andrew Luck.
Purdue appointed Barry Odom as its new head coach after Ryan Walters led the team to an 11–1 campaign. Odom had previously coached at Missouri and UNLV, posting a 19–8 record at UNLV over two seasons. West Virginia brought back Rich Rodriguez after firing Neal Brown, whose six seasons failed to meet expectations. Rodriguez comes from Jacksonville State, where he led a revival of the team. UCF welcomed the return of Scott Frost, hopeful he can replicate the success of his first tenure and steer the Knights back into national relevance. Southern Miss hired Charles Huff, formerly of Marshall, replacing Will Hall after a disappointing 1–6 start.
Group of Five and FCS Transitions
In a strategic move, Charlotte hired Tim Albin following his three consecutive 10-win seasons at Ohio, replacing Biff Poggi. Temple chose Pennsylvania native K.C. Keeler, celebrated for leading Sam Houston through six seasons of double-digit wins and transitioning successfully into FBS competition. FAU brought in 33-year-old Zach Kittley, a rising star known for his offensive prowess at Texas Tech, Houston Baptist, and Western Kentucky. Rice turned to Scott Abell, who spent seven seasons at Davidson with a 47–28 record, never experiencing a losing season. These hires mark a shift toward sustained success and team consistency.
FIU appointed Willie Simmons, who led Florida A&M to two HBCU national championships, after firing Mike MacIntyre following a 12–24 record. Kent State introduced interim coach Mark Karney after dismissing Keni Burns, who went 1–23 in two seasons. Central Michigan selected Matt Drinkall to succeed Jim McElwain, who retired after six seasons. Bowling Green named Eddie George as its new head coach; George comes from Tennessee State, where he posted a 24–22 record, succeeding Scott Loeffler, who joined the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles. UMass hired Joe Harasymiak, formerly defensive coordinator at Rutgers and Minnesota, replacing Don Brown, who finished 6–28 in his second stint.
Ohio University promoted Brian Smith, who joined the team in 2022 to replace Tim Albin. Ball State hired Mike Uremovich, formerly of Butler and a long-time MAC assistant, following the dismissal of Mike Neu after a 3–7 start. New Mexico appointed Jason Eck, recognized for offensive innovation and team turnarounds during his time at Idaho, to replace Bronco Mendenhall, who left for Utah State. Fresno State selected Matt Entz, a two-time FCS national champion with a 60–11 record at North Dakota State, to succeed Jeff Tedford, who retired. Utah State brought in Mendenhall, known for his 140–88 career record and reputation for rebuilding struggling teams into consistent winners.
UNLV transitioned to Dan Mullen as head coach after Barry Odom departed for Purdue. Mullen, previously at Mississippi State, arrives with a 103–61 career record and expertise in quarterback development. Jacksonville State hired Charles Kelly, who brings 35 years of experience from Alabama and Florida State, following Rich Rodriguez’s departure. Sam Houston appointed Phil Longo as its new head coach, having previously served as offensive coordinator at UNC, Ole Miss, and Sam Houston. Kennesaw State welcomed Jerry Mack as its new head coach after Brian Bohannon stepped down; Mack was most recently the running backs coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he helped craft one of the league’s top rushing attacks.
Appalachian Region Highlights
The Appalachian region experienced a trio of noteworthy coaching transitions. Marshall hired Tony Gibson, a seasoned defensive coordinator from NC State with Appalachian roots and a reputation for defensive excellence. Gibson replaces Charles Huff, who departed after four successful seasons to take the helm at Southern Miss. Huff’s arrival signals a determined effort to rebuild Southern Miss’s culture and competitiveness. Appalachian State appointed Dowell Loggains after firing Shawn Clark following a 5–6 season; Loggains previously revived South Carolina’s offense and guided dual-threat quarterbacks. Washington State introduced Jimmy Rogers as its new head coach, replacing Jake Dickert. Rogers arrives after a dominant run at South Dakota State, where he posted a 27–3 record and won the 2023 FCS national championship.
