Full Breakdown
2025 College Football Coaching Carousel: Dismissals and New Appointments
6/27/2026, 2:20:34 PM
Core Event: Dismissals and New Appointments
Tim Beck (Coastal Carolina) to South Florida OC; Trent Bray (Oregon State) to Washington State DC; Trent Dilfer (UAB) to Lipscomb Academy HC. James Franklin (Penn State) to Virginia Tech HC, leaving a nearly $40 M buyout. Brian Kelly (LSU) to Memphis as unpaid consultant. Billy Napier (Florida) to James Madison HC. Jay Norvell (Colorado State) to Iowa RB coach; Brent Pry to Virginia Tech DC; Mark Stoops (Kentucky) to Texas special assistant. Hugh Freeze (Auburn), Mike Gundy (Oklahoma State) and Sherrone Moore (Michigan) now in non-coaching roles.
Background & Data Snapshot
The 2025 cycle shows accelerating churn in college football. Franklin posted five 11-plus-win seasons, a Big Ten title and two CFP wins before a near $40 M buyout. Kelly was 34-14 with two 10-win seasons at LSU. Dilfer went 44-10 with back-to-back state titles at Lipscomb Academy. Napier was 40-12 at Louisiana, winning four Sun Belt West titles and two conference crowns. Stoops recorded 82 wins at Kentucky, the program’s all-time high. Norvell adds a 38-year coaching résumé.
Official Statements & Responses
Lipscomb Academy AD Jake House praised Dilfer’s return for student-athlete growth. Franklin cited a personal “chip” driving his Virginia Tech ambition. Kelly described his Memphis role as a reflective pause after LSU. Napier emphasized James Madison’s game-day atmosphere and resources for Group Six competition. Texas framed Stoops as a veteran addition to Steve Sarkisian’s staff.
Criticism & Opposition
Commentators view several hires as demotions: Kelly’s unpaid consultant role lacks on-field authority; Dilfer’s move to high school drops from Division I; Norvell’s shift to a position coach hints at limited market demand. These moves highlight coaching career precariousness after high-profile dismissals.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Franklin’s buyout is cited as “nearly $40 million,” but no source confirms the exact figure. Kelly’s Memphis consultancy lacks disclosed compensation, leaving its financial terms unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
“We're excited to welcome coach Trent Dilfer back to Lipscomb Academy,” — Jake House, Athletic Director, Lipscomb Academy
“I'm 54 years old. I didn't feel I'd be starting over. So, there's a chip. There's a chip that I'm in this position,” — James Franklin, Head Coach, Virginia Tech
“I think you look at everything you've done throughout your career and you've got a great process, and you know that process has been successful,” — Brian Kelly, Consultant, Memphis
“The No. 1 resource that we have at James Madison is that we have the best game day atmosphere in the country in G6 football,” — Billy Napier, Head Coach, James Madison
What’s Next: Upcoming Seasons
All hires will start recruiting and staff building for 2026. Virginia Tech, James Madison and Texas aim to leverage veteran expertise, while South Florida and Washington State look to revitalize schemes under Beck and Bray. Early outcomes will show whether the carousel stabilizes or fuels further turnover.
