The College football coaching carousel 2026 season officially accelerated when Florida State made the shocking decision to fire head coach Mike Norvell on Nov. 1 following a loss to Clemson. After a record-breaking churn during the previous cycle—which saw 32 new head coach hires across the FBS, including 17 within power conferences—the latest coaching cycle started slowly in late October before sending major shockwaves through the sport.
The Financial Landscape and Cooling Period
With 93 FBS programs changing coaches over the past three offseasons, university athletic departments are actively grappling with the challenging economics of the NIL and revenue-sharing era. While Maryland officially kicked off the firing season on Oct. 21, the overall pace has prompted analysts to question whether college athletics has entered a temporary cooling period.
Power Four Departures and Open Jobs
Several prominent programs across the Power Four conferences are currently searching for new leadership as athletic directors evaluate their long-term trajectories:
- Florida State: Mike Norvell was dismissed after seven whirlwind seasons in Tallahassee, which featured an undefeated campaign in 2023 capped by a controversial College Football Playoff snub. Questions now surround the financial landscape of the program.
- Baylor: Dave Aranda is out after leading the Bears to a 40-40 overall record and a 26-32 mark in the Big 12 across seven seasons. Despite winning a Big 12 title in 2021, the program experienced middling success and is expected to target an offensive-minded coach with deep ties to Texas high school football.
- Maryland: Mike Locksley was relieved of his duties midway through his eighth season in College Park, finishing with an overall record of 39-54 after consecutive 4-8 campaigns. Candidates such as Wake Forest's Jake Dickert and Memphis' Charles Huff have surfaced as potential fits.
- NC State: Dave Doeren was dismissed after 14 years in Raleigh following a 31-28 defeat at Stanford. A downtick in performance over the past three years pushed the Wolfpack to make a change, with legendary program quarterback Philip Rivers emerging as a candidate alongside names like Dan Mullen and Shannon Dawson.
What Comes Next for the Carousel
As the 2026-27 cycle progresses, programs are weighing traditional coaching experience against modern recruiting capabilities and booster-funded resources. Schools with improved NIL resources hope to attract top-tier talent, though challenging conference landscapes in the Big Ten, ACC, and Big 12 mean every hire carries immense pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was fired first in the 2026 college football coaching carousel?
Maryland kicked off the firing season on Oct. 21 by parting ways with head coach Mike Locksley.
Why did Florida State fire Mike Norvell?
Florida State cut ties with Norvell on Nov. 1 following a loss to Clemson, concluding a seven-season tenure that included a 2023 undefeated season and a playoff snub.
How many FBS programs have changed coaches over the last three offseasons?
A total of 93 FBS programs have changed coaches across the three previous offseasons, following a record-breaking cycle in 2025 that included 32 new head coach hires.