Evaluation of College Football Coaching Hires 2025-26: Top and Bottom Picks in CFB Coaching Carousel

The 2025-26 college football coaching carousel has been one of the most turbulent in recent years, with head-coaching positions opening for programs like LSU, Penn State, Florida, Ole Miss, and Kentucky. With most vacancies now filled, it's time to assess the latest coaching hires.

Virginia Tech Hokies: James Franklin A+

Virginia Tech made a major splash by hiring James Franklin, a coach consistently ranked among the top ten in the sport. Franklins track record includes nine-plus wins in nine of 15 seasons at Vanderbilt and Penn State with a .600+ winning percentage. After a disappointing 3-9 season in 2025 for the Hokies, Franklin brings hope with strong recruiting efforts and immediate access to the transfer portal. This hire is considered a major success for Virginia Tech.

Oklahoma State Cowboys: Eric Morris A

Oklahoma State made the bold decision to replace Mike Gundy with Eric Morris. At just 40, Morris has experience as offensive coordinator at Texas Tech and Washington State, and as head coach at Incarnate Word and Texas State. Known for quarterback development and Texas recruiting ties, Morris is positioned to elevate the Cowboys to an eight-win team by 2028.

LSU Tigers: Lane Kiffin B+

Lane Kiffins move to LSU was highly publicized, though his record (117-53, .688) is slightly lower than Brian Kellys at the same stage (.728). LSU has committed significant resources to Kiffin, making recruiting and the transfer portal a key advantage. However, this is a high-pressure, championship-or-bust scenario, as Kiffins teams have yet to consistently dominate in the SEC.

Auburn Tigers: Alex Golesh A-

Auburn secured one of the seasons breakout coaches in Alex Golesh, who previously improved programs at South Florida and as an offensive coordinator at Tennessee. Golesh has SEC experience and local recruiting ties, which, combined with Auburns resources, could translate into long-term success, especially with quarterback Ashton Daniels and wide receiver Cam Coleman.

Colorado State Rams: Jim Mora A

Jim Moras hiring by Colorado State is one of the most underrated moves. Mora transformed UConn from a 9-39 record over four seasons to consecutive nine-win campaigns. The Rams, who have rarely achieved winning seasons recently, provide a program with realistic expectations and the potential for sustained success under Mora.

Ole Miss Rebels: Pete Golding B

After Lane Kiffins delay, Ole Miss promoted defensive coordinator Pete Golding to head coach. Golding, who worked under Nick Saban at Alabama, has recruiting expertise and inherits significant resources for staff and player acquisition. While first-time head coaches carry risk, the programs investment could yield strong results.

Florida Gators: Jon Sumrall C+

Jon Sumralls hiring at Florida is cautious. Though successful at Tulane and Troy (42-11), Sumrall has limited SEC experience and no prior ties to Florida. He faces a challenging environment competing against better-resourced programs. Fans should expect a multi-year process before seeing significant progress.

Oregon State Beavers: JaMarcus Shephard C+

JaMarcus Shephard takes over Oregon State as a first-time head coach, a risky move following Jonathan Smiths departure. Shephards experience as co-offensive coordinator at Alabama and Washington, along with a record of developing top receivers, offers some optimism for the Beavers offensive future.

Arkansas Razorbacks: Ryan Silverfield C

Ryan Silverfields appointment at Arkansas is controversial. While he achieved highs at Memphis (21-5 from 2023-24), inconsistency has been an issue, including a collapse to 8-4 in 2025. Expectations remain uncertain, and Silverfield may struggle to stabilize the program long-term.

Stanford Cardinal: Tavita Pritchard C-

Stanfords hiring of Tavita Pritchard raises questions. Though he has a long history with the program and Andrew Luck, Pritchard has been away from college football for three years. His prior tenure as offensive coordinator saw the team struggle offensively, making this a low-confidence hire.

Author: Sophia Brooks