Coaching Changes In College Football Heading Into 2025
Coaching changes in college football are a fact of life. 2025 is no different, with 28 coaching changes in the FBS. These coaching changes will make little difference, though college football programs feel they must do something because there is so much money at stake. This article lists all 28 of the coaching changes, in order of their relative expected impact. Do you think these coaching changes will make a difference?
The Coaching Changes in 2025 in College Football
1. Rich Rodriguez, West Virginia
The West Virginia native comes back home after a stint at Michigan. He was 60-26 for West Virginia from 2001-2007.
2. Bronco Mendenhall, Utah State
He returns to his home state of Utah, like Rodriguez. He was 99-43 coaching BYU from 2005-2015.
3. Bill Belichick, North Carolina
Longtime professional legend must adapt to the college game, where he does not have Tom Brady.
4. Barry Odom, Purdue
He looks to parlay success at both UNLV and Missouri to the moribund Purdue program. The cupboard is bare at Purdue. It could be a long season for this excellent hire.
5. Dan Mullen, UNLV
Mississippi State and Florida alum looks to continue his success at stacked UNLV.
6. Charles Huff, Southern Miss
A successful coach had an acrimonious departure from Marshall after a long tenure and a successful 2024 season.
7. K.C. Keeler, Temple
He makes the jump from Delaware. How will he fare taking this step up?
8. Tim Albin, Charlotte
He will look to build on a successful final three years at Ohio.
9. Matt Entz, Fresno State
Went 60-11 at North Dakota State with two Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) national championships.
10. Scott Frost, University of Central Florida
Big disappointment at Nebraska, who looks to repeat stunning success at UCF.
11. Jake Dickert, Wake Forest
Got eight wins at Washington State, so how will he adapt with the Demon Deacons?
12. Zach Kittley, Florida Atlantic
High national rankings for this hire. He takes over in a recruiting hotbed.
13. Willie Simmons, Florida International University
His experience at Florida A&M gives him important ties in this state.
14. Jason Eck, New Mexico
Has a wealth of assistant experience and led South Dakota State to the FCS playoffs in three consecutive years.
15. Matt Drinkall, Central Michigan
An Army assistant gets a head coaching chance in the big time after being the head man at NAIA Kansas Wesleyan.
16. Joe Harasymiak, University of Massachusetts
Maine’s former head coach gets a chance at UMASS.
17. Jimmy Rogers, Washington State
Went 27-3 at FCS South Dakota State, with a national championship in 2023.
18. Eddie George, Bowling Green
Name recognition is key here as the Ohio State legend comes to the state of Ohio.
19. Scott Abell, Rice
He will look to succeed during his first stint as a head coach.
20. Jerry Mack, Kennesaw State
A native of Tennessee, he was the running backs coach for the National Football League’s Jacksonville Jaguars.
21. Brian Smith, Ohio
He helped Ohio’s offense rank No. 1 in the Metro Athletic Conference.
22. Tre Lamb, Tulsa
Headman experience will be useful. His offensive acumen will be useful as well.
23. Dowell Loggains, Appalachian State
Could parlay success in grooming LeNorris Sellers in the tough Southeastern Conference into success at App State.
24. Phil Longo, Sam Houston State
He returns to San Houston State.
25. Tony Gibson, Marshall
Spent the last five years as the defensive coordinator at North Carolina State.
26. Mike Uremovich, Ball State
Has a track record of maximizing offensive talent.
27. Blake Harrell, East Carolina
He was the interim coach for the Pirates last season.
28. Charles Kelly, Jacksonville State
Alabama native who could succeed here.
Conclusion
Apart from a few big coaching names in new places, it is striking how the successful FCS coaches are getting chances at top-level programs. One of the truisms about coaching is that there are many openings every year, so there is an opportunity for new coaches to excel every season. This list is viewed as a service to readers. It is important to keep track of the coaching carousel.
