Kiffin, Whittingham Among Coaches in New Spots This Season
A wild coaching carousel last winter reshuffled several Power Four programs, from Lane Kiffin's move to LSU to Kyle Whittingham taking over at Michigan.
College football's coaching carousel spun especially hard last winter, landing several prominent names in new jobs ahead of this season.
Lane Kiffin's move from Ole Miss to LSU drew the most attention. LSU agreed to pay Kiffin $91 million over seven years after firing Brian Kelly, who still had $54 million and six years left on his contract. Kiffin said Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry played a role in the athletic department shakeup that led to his hire away from a College Football Playoff-bound Ole Miss team last November. LSU, ranked No. 11 in the AP Top 25, opens at home against Clemson on Saturday night.
At Michigan, Kyle Whittingham took over after Sherrone Moore was fired and arrested, shortly after Whittingham stepped down at Utah. His first-year success may hinge on quarterback Bryce Underwood, who threw 11 touchdowns against nine interceptions last season. Underwood now has a quarterback coach and virtual reality training tools he lacked as a freshman. No. 16 Michigan hosts Western Michigan on Saturday.
At Florida, Jon Sumrall arrives after leading Troy and Tulane to four straight conference championship games. The Gators, who have had four losing seasons in five years, open at home against Florida Atlantic on Saturday.
Virginia Tech hired James Franklin after he was let go at Penn State with a 3-3 record last year despite a 104-45 career mark. He replaces Brent Pry, fired after an 0-3 start. Virginia Tech is a 55-point favorite over Virginia Military Institute at home Saturday.
At Penn State, Matt Campbell, formerly of Iowa State, is rebuilding a program that opened last season No. 2 in the AP Top 25 before collapsing. No. 18 Penn State hosts Marshall on Saturday.
Auburn hired Hugh Freeze's successor Ryan Golesh — 23-15 in three years at South Florida — to try to restore the once-elite program, which last saw a double-digit win season in 2013. Auburn plays Baylor at home Saturday.
Oklahoma State turned to Josh Morris, a Mike Leach disciple, after firing Mike Gundy following an 0-2 start last year. The Cowboys host Tulsa on Saturday.
UCLA fired Deshaun Foster after an 0-3 start in his second season and hired Bob Chesney, hoping he can replicate the turnaround engineered by Curt Cignetti elsewhere.
This article was produced with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI), in accordance with our editorial policy.
