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TJ Inman's avatar
(@tjinman1987)
Member Admin

We can discuss individual vacancies in greater detail on team-specific threads (for instance, the Brian Kelly Fired thread) but I thought it would be fun to predict/theorize and speculate on the carousel as a whole in one ongoing thread. This stuff is really fun, particularly when IU is not involved! I am certainly not some "insider" but I do hear quite a bit of stuff, particularly on jobs in the South. Deciphering what is true and what is not is the difficult part.

My guesses for Power Conference openings:

Arkansas - I thought Bobby Petrino would win a few games on the back of Taylen Green and get himself this job (yuck) but the loss to Auburn makes that increasingly unlikely. Rhett Lashlee (SMU) is from Arkansas but it definitely seems like he has no interest. This is a tough call because it does feel like Arkansas needs other schools to pass on candidates. I'll with Eric Morris from North Texas as the ultimate choice. If they don't invest more into the football program (which would mean finding additional funding because they wouldn't take it away from Calipari and basketball), it won't really matter who the coach is.

Auburn - I think Hugh Freeze will be done at Auburn, barring a late run and a win over Alabama in the Iron Bowl (it could happen). Jon Sumrall from Tulane ends up the hire is my prediction.

Florida - The Gators really want Lane Kiffin but I think he takes LSU or stays at Ole Miss. Is the second choice Jedd Fisch or is it Eli Drinkwitz. I predicted before the start of the season that Fisch would end up at Florida so I'll stick with that. 

LSU - the best job on the market and a top three job in college football, in my opinion. Lane Kiffin is really happy at Ole Miss but I don't think he can pass up the chance to prove himself with some of the best resources. Kiffin to LSU is my prediction. The caveat here is that Ole Miss looks very likely to make the CFP and if Kiffin isn't available until after January 1, roster construction becomes a big issue (such a stupid calendar for transfers).

Oklahoma State - former OK State quarterback and current Atlanta Falcons OC Zac Robinson was the hot name early but the Falcons have not been great on offense recently (perhaps missing Chandler Whitmer...who knows?). I'm going with Alex Golesh of South Florida. He was a GA at Oklahoma State under Mike Gundy and would make the move if Florida doesn't scoop him up and Oklahoma State promises support.

Penn State - Super interesting one...Matt Rhule was the obvious first name but I don't think they are all that interested in him (they can and should do better). There were some early rumors about Kalen DeBoer if Alabama lost a couple of games and Mike Elko if A&M lost a couple but those guys are as secure as can be right now and thinking they'd leave for PSU is delusional, in my opinion. Three names I'd circle right now: Eli Drinkwitz, Jeff Brohm and Brian Hartline of Ohio State. I think it ends up being a choice between Jeff Brohm and Brian Hartline and I don't have any idea which way it goes. Throwing a dart while blindfolded, I'll go with Brian Hartline. A big risk but it could pay off big-time. 

Stanford - I think it makes a ton of sense for Stanford to treat the job like a military academy (academic restrictions impacting HS and portal recruiting) and choose to be different. Troy Calhoun at Air Force would make sense as would Jeff Monken at Army. Andrew Luck is making the hire so who the heck knows what he's thinking. I'll go with Ken Niumatololo (currently at San Jose State).

UCLA - I think they'd be wise to consider Utah State head coach Bronco Mendenhall. He'd, at a minimum, have UCLA playing tough and competitive football. Charles Huff (Southern Miss) and Sean Lewis (San Diego State) are both getting some buzz and I think Sean Lewis makes a lot of sense. The Aztecs have three shutouts this season and are a contender in the Mountain West.

Virginia Tech - James Franklin seems all but signed, sealed and delivered.

Feel free to chime in with your thoughts and I hope others join in on the conversation!

 


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Topic starter Posted : 10/29/2025 4:14 pm
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Sammy Jacobs
(@thehoosierhuddle)
Member Admin

This cycle is going to wild and it’s nice to not be part of it. I think there will be residual openings like Louisville, Ole Miss or Washington.

Does Maryland move on if they don’t go bowling? Michigan State? Mizzou?


GIF

 


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Posted : 10/29/2025 5:09 pm
Big Red CB v.2.0
(@big-red-cb-v-2-0)
Reputable Member

I think that Chesney at JMU and Siverfiield at Memphis are poised for moves up to the P4 level.  Where they end up is anybody’s guess.


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Posted : 10/29/2025 5:11 pm
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Sammy Jacobs
(@thehoosierhuddle)
Member Admin

@big-red-cb-v-2-0 I think Chesney would be an absolute steal for Penn State, but they will want a “bigger name”. Maybe he ends up at MSU or Wisconsin if they open.


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Posted : 10/29/2025 5:39 pm
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Tammany's avatar
(@tammany)
Famed Member

I kinda think Lane may stay at Ole Miss.  He’s job hopped a lot and he’s found a good fit which he might appreciate more now.

He’s also a portal guy, and LSU and UF will expect serious HS recruiting.  Does he take on the risk/reward at those schools?  I’m not so sure he does.


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Posted : 10/29/2025 5:56 pm
Hoosierific's avatar
(@hoosierific)
Estimable Member

No way LSU is a top 3 job in the country. Maybe top ten, but not top 3.


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Posted : 10/29/2025 10:40 pm
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HoosierDaddy's avatar
(@hoosierdaddy)
Noble Member

Matt Rhule just got extended and a pay raise from Nebraska to keep him there past 2030


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Posted : 10/29/2025 11:33 pm
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TJ Inman's avatar
(@tjinman1987)
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@hoosierific Which jobs would you definitively rank ahead of LSU?


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Topic starter Posted : 10/30/2025 8:05 am
Tammany's avatar
(@tammany)
Famed Member

Nick, Ed, and Les won titles at LSU.  It's a title factory for coaches, even if NIL reduces that to some extent. Top-5 job at worst.


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Posted : 10/30/2025 8:30 am
TJ Inman's avatar
(@tjinman1987)
Member Admin

@tammany Absolutely...I don't think there can even be an argument that it's not up there as one of the best jobs in the country.


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Topic starter Posted : 10/30/2025 9:03 am
CCMac's avatar
(@ccmac)
Reputable Member

I think Franklin at Virginia Tech is a good fit,it’s a good program with lots of fan support.

i think he would do very well there.


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Posted : 10/30/2025 9:15 am
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OneEyedUndertaker
(@oneeyedundertaker)
Noble Member

Posted by: @tammany

Nick, Ed, and Les won titles at LSU.  It's a title factory for coaches, even if NIL reduces that to some extent. Top-5 job at worst.

When you have 3 different coaches win one there, & 2 of the 3 haven’t done much elsewhere, that tells you it’s a top job.  Alabama & OSU above it, but who else?

 


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Posted : 10/30/2025 9:16 am
IUNorth
(@iunorth)
Noble Member

@oneeyedundertaker Michigan maybe.  Texas maybe.  Its up there in the conversation with all of the top programs...really by any measure.


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Posted : 10/30/2025 9:20 am
Gros Louis's avatar
(@gros-louis)
Prominent Member

Posted by: @hoosierific

No way LSU is a top 3 job in the country. Maybe top ten, but not top 3.

Oh man, this is such a freezing cold take.  It's possibly #1 or #2.  I can't stop laughing.

 


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Posted : 10/30/2025 9:21 am
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Tammany's avatar
(@tammany)
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@oneeyedundertaker OSU for sure.  Not sure Bama is, but certainly could be.

Maybe Georgia.  They more or less dominate a talent rich state and have a lot of support/resources too.

That’s all I can think of.  Texas and UM are great looking jobs but they haven’t produced the elite on-field results consistently.  Oregon has a blank check from Phil but they haven’t won a title yet.

I could be wrong, it’s just an interesting discussion.


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Posted : 10/30/2025 9:25 am
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