Opinion: The 2026 Carousel: A Mirage of Stability
AI-generated image · US National Wire
Despite a slow start following record-breaking churn, the firing season is accelerating across the Power Four.
The college football coaching carousel is beginning to spin again, though it arrived with a delayed start. As CBS Sports first reported, the current cycle follows a 2025 period of unprecedented turnover that saw 32 new head coaches hired across the FBS, including 17 within the four power conferences. In total, 93 FBS programs have swapped coaches over the previous three offseasons.
While some wondered if the industry had entered a cooling period due to the economic pressures of revenue-sharing and NIL, the reality is that the stability is short-lived. CBS Sports reports that Maryland initiated the firing season on Oct. 21, removing Mike Locksley after eight seasons and a 39-54 overall record. The Terps, who suffered back-to-back 4-8 seasons, are now eyeing candidates such as Memphis' Charles Huff and Wake Forest's Jake Dickert.
Other power programs have quickly followed suit. Baylor has parted ways with Dave Aranda, who finished his seven-year tenure with a 40-40 record and a losing mark in the Big 12. CBS Sports notes that Baylor may target an offensive-minded coach with Texas ties, citing Lincoln Riley of USC, GJ Kinne of Texas State, and Jeff Traylor of UTSA as potential candidates.
Meanwhile, NC State has ended Dave Doeren's 14-year run in Raleigh following a 1-3 start to the season. Reporting from CBS Sports indicates that former NC State quarterback Philip Rivers is a high-interest candidate, alongside UNLV's Dan Mullen, Memphis' Charles Huff, and Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson.