Coaching Crisis: The Unfortunate Challenges Plaguing NCAA Football Coaches This Year

Football careers, players and coaches alike, are as unpredictable as the whims of the weather. With the 2023 college football season closing soon, marked by excitement and dramatic moments, nearing its conclusion, the college football coaching landscape has undergone multitudes of alterations. As is customary in college football, not every head coach who began the season remains in charge. While some coaches have been dismissed due to poor performance, others faced termination amid scandal.

Teams lean in on solidifying their leadership for the upcoming early recruiting period and National Signing Day. It’s a critical time for programs to address any shortcomings, find suitable replacements, and lay the foundation for a promising future. However, this phase also carries the risk of inadvertently making costly mistakes that may need correction in the coming years, creating a cycle of continual evaluation and adjustment.

College Coaches on their way out 

The 2023-24 college football coaching carousel has been quite eventful, with several coaches facing unexpected challenges and changes. Jimbo Fisher, former Texas A&M, has grabbed oodles of attention with his record buyout amount of just over $76 million.

Despite winning their last game dominantly, Fisher was dismissed after posting a 45-25 record in six seasons with the Aggies. His dismissal came late in the season, making it an unusual occurrence. Following closely is Mel Tucker former Michigan State head coach who added a tad bit more spice to the already sticky sign-stealing scandal.  Tucker was fired in September amid allegations of sexual harassment. His 20-14 record in four seasons with the Spartans couldn’t save him from the controversy.

Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh faced recent turmoil, receiving a three-game suspension from the Big Ten amid an NCAA investigation into alleged sign-stealing by a former staffer. During his suspension, interim coach Sherrone Moore led Michigan to a notable 30-24 victory over Ohio State.

Harbaugh’s contract, expiring after the 2025 season, adds uncertainty to his future with ongoing discussions about his tenure. Pat Fitzgerald (Northwestern) was fired after an investigation revealed a culture of hazing within the program. He had been the head coach since 2006 and led Northwestern to Big Ten championship appearances.

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David Braun the interim coach, has surpassed expectations, guiding the Wildcats to the brink of bowl eligibility. Northwestern rewarded him by removing the interim tag and making him the full-time head coach. Apart from Braun, there have been notable head coach hirings in the College Football Coaching Carousel.

College Coaches on their way in

Mike Smith departs Oregon State after four seasons, leaving with a 34-35 overall record to join Michigan State. Despite recent success, including 10 wins last season and being named Pac-12 Coach of the Year, Smith moves to the Big Ten, seeking stability amid the Pac-12’s imminent loss of 10 members due to summer realignment. Other former Pac-12 schools, USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington, are also making the transition. 

Despite a challenging 2023 season with a 2-6 record in SEC games and a 0-5 conference start, Arkansas will retain head coach Sam Pittman. The Razorbacks struggled after losing coordinators Kendal Briles and Barry Odom, missing the postseason after two consecutive bowl appearances. Pittman maintains a 22-24 overall record and an 11-22 record in SEC games. As the coaching carousel continues to spin, NFL fans are yet to see how these changes impact the college football landscape. 

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