The 2025 college football coaching carousel is shaping up to be one of the most significant in recent memory, largely sparked by LSU’s stunning decision to fire Brian Kelly after a disappointing start to the season. This move has opened the floodgates, resulting in 12 open head coaching positions across the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), including an unprecedented eight vacancies at Power Four conference programs. This level of turnover stands in stark contrast to last season, when no power conference coaching jobs opened until the final week.
LSU’s firing of Brian Kelly came as a shock to many. Kelly, who was brought in with high expectations to lead the Tigers back to national prominence, had a lackluster 5-3 start to the 2025 season. Despite heavy investment in coaching and player talent aimed at competing for a national championship, the team faltered, most notably in a lopsided 49-25 home loss to Texas A&M. The dissatisfaction among fans was palpable, with chants of “Fire Kelly” echoing through Tiger Stadium, culminating in the program’s decision to part ways with him. Kelly’s tenure at LSU ended with a solid overall record of 34-14 and a 19-10 mark in the SEC, but ultimately failed to meet the lofty expectations.
What’s remarkable about this coaching cycle is the array of programs with openings that haven’t had coaching vacancies in years, some even over a decade. Oklahoma State, for instance, has not had a new head coach since 2005. Penn State last went through a coaching change in 2014, and UCLA hasn’t conducted a full coaching search since the 2017 season. This influx of vacancies at historically stable programs adds intrigue and complexity to the 2025 coaching market.
Evaluating these openings is more complicated than ever in the current college football landscape, particularly with the evolving dynamics of player compensation under Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policies. While financial resources remain a critical factor for competitiveness, the pathway to winning—such as recruiting pipelines, program culture, and administrative support—is equally important. The expansion of the College Football Playoff also shifts priorities, as programs aim to maximize their chances of postseason success. Each job offers a unique blend of advantages and challenges, and candidates will weigh these factors differently.
Below is a detailed look at the 12 open FBS head coaching jobs in 2025, categorized into Power Four and Group of Six conferences, highlighting their histories, resources, and outlooks.
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**Power Four Conference Openings**
**LSU** *Previous coach:* Brian Kelly (34-14 overall, 19-10 SEC) *Previous salary:* $10.2 million *Last conference title:* 2019
LSU remains one of the most prestigious jobs in college football. Despite recent struggles, the program’s deep ties to Louisiana—a state rich in football talent—give it an enviable recruiting footprint. Additionally, LSU benefits from proximity to Houston, another fertile recruiting ground. Historically, the Tigers have been a national power, with the last three coaches before Kelly winning national championships. While questions linger about whether the program is fully prepared to compete financially with the highest-spending schools, LSU’s expectations remain championship-level. The next coach will inherit a roster loaded with talent and will be expected to return the Tigers to the pinnacle of college football.
**Florida** *Previous coach:* Billy Napier (22-23 overall, 12-16 SEC) *Previous salary:* $7.5 million *Last conference title:* 2008
Florida is often seen as a dream job on paper, thanks to its location in one of the nation’s elite recruiting states and easy access to the talent-rich regions of Georgia and the Carolinas. Billy Napier helped stabilize the program’s recruiting and fundraising efforts, assembling some of the SEC’s most talented rosters in recent years. However, the Gators have struggled to reach their historical heights since the days of legendary coaches Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyer. The program has been marked by inconsistency and underperformance, making this a challenging turnaround job. Still, Florida’s ceiling remains high, and a coach who can navigate the competitive landscape and recruit effectively could restore the program’s elite status.
**Penn State** *Previous coach:* James Franklin (104-45 overall, 64-36 Big Ten) *Previous salary:* $8.5 million *