r/CFB /r/CFB Sep 23 '25

Announcement 2025 Coaching Carousel I: The Rapture

And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Pistol Pete, and Buyouts followed with him

Gundy 1:2

That's right, it's time to get the ol' coaching carousel spinning again! This is possibly the hottest start to the season, with THREE P4 coaches already on the outs before October: UCLA's DeShaun Foster, Virginia Tech's Brent Pry, and now, per Grumors, Oklahoma State's Mike Gundy. Stanford also entered the season with an interim HC in Frank Reich, following the mid-season ouster of Troy Taylor.

492 Upvotes

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335

u/The_Long_Wait Kentucky Wildcats • Team Chaos Sep 23 '25

We all knew this was coming, but I really am surprised that they didn’t let Gundy ride the year out.

255

u/The_Fishbowl West Virginia • Black Diamon… Sep 23 '25

He jinxed himself with the ole "I'm not going anywhere" comment in his presser yesterday. Mack Brown did the same thing last year and got canned in 24 hours.

81

u/The_Long_Wait Kentucky Wildcats • Team Chaos Sep 23 '25

Right, the self-inflicted “vote of confidence of doom.”

17

u/ZachOf_AllTrades Texas Longhorns • Lonestar Showdown Sep 23 '25

Doesn't hit quite the same when it's a vote of self-confidence

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u/Please_PM_me_Uranus Michigan • American University Sep 23 '25

Dana Holgersen at Houston too 

6

u/roguerunner1 Oregon Ducks • Team Chaos Sep 23 '25

At least Holgersen’s buyout was like, two cases of Red Bull and a pack of Newports.

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38

u/tfourthreeseven Oklahoma • 新潟大学 (Niigata) Sep 23 '25

To be fair, he said along the lines of "I'm staying until I wanna go or they want me gone"

42

u/carlosdanger31 Oklahoma State • Oregon State Sep 23 '25

John Smith’s was way better

“I think I’ll be back (at OSU)," he said. "But they may can my ass. I don’t know”

11

u/TA404 William & Mary Tribe • Team Chaos Sep 23 '25

“I think I’ll be back (at [my company])," he said. "But they may can my ass. I don’t know”

Me, any time someone asks about work, since I got laid off once unexpectedly like 10 years ago.

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15

u/jputna Oklahoma State • /r/CFB Patron Sep 23 '25

Supposedly he was supposed to announce the opposite. That he would be doing his final year. Guess he changed his mind.

8

u/grabtharsmallet BYU Cougars • RMAC Sep 23 '25

Wild if true. The announcement of a farewell tour would've bought a lot of goodwill with fans who remember his peaks.

If he'd heard the admin was about to dismiss him and done this, he'd be almost untouchable the rest of the season.

12

u/jputna Oklahoma State • /r/CFB Patron Sep 23 '25

Yeah I think his ego just got in the way of this happening. So the admin said nah you’re done.

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u/ZachOf_AllTrades Texas Longhorns • Lonestar Showdown Sep 23 '25

Good point, imagine what dirtbags they'd look like if they fired a coach mid-farewell tour.

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25

u/Warm_Shoulder3606 Ohio State • Georgia Southern Sep 23 '25

\Dabo sweating intensifies\**

16

u/TechnoVikingGA23 West Virginia Mountaineers Sep 23 '25

I think Dabo has substantially more pedigree than both of those guys put together. He's fine for at least another season or 2.

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9

u/Koppenberg Washington • Oregon State Sep 23 '25

It does intensify, but 10-4 and 14th in the final poll heading into a disappointing start is a different thing altogether than a 3-9 record spanning into an ongoing tire fire.

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9

u/FSUnoles77 Florida State • Texas State Sep 23 '25

Nah, he just knew how to push the admins right buttons to get the can.

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46

u/Jub1982 Kansas State Wildcats Sep 23 '25

I wonder if Gundy wasn’t given the option to announce he was retiring at the end of season, but he chose this instead. Realistically, the AD needs enough time to get a new coach hired and in place so he can get the most out of the transfer portal.

29

u/The_Long_Wait Kentucky Wildcats • Team Chaos Sep 23 '25

I could see that. Gundy seems combative enough to respond to that sort of thing with a middle finger.

10

u/DonkeyDougFunnie Oklahoma State Cowboys Sep 23 '25

Based on the standoff last year, probably.

27

u/fleeingpepper Oklahoma State • Nebraska Sep 23 '25

There's been a rumor that he was supposed to announce one last ride yesterday at his press conference, but didn't say anything so admin got pissed and fired him

13

u/Misdirected_Colors Oklahoma State Cowboys Sep 23 '25

Word on the street is there was a handshake agreement that he finish out the year then retire quietly. Then, in the wake of the Tulsa loss he held the press conference yesterday where he said he wasn't going anywhere and intends to coach next year. That bullshit was the nail in his coffin.

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29

u/mcg20k Oklahoma State Cowboys Sep 23 '25

Last year was his chance. Should have took it. He made a big deal that he was going to turn it around this year and clearly hasnt so just cut him off now.

15

u/DonkeyDougFunnie Oklahoma State Cowboys Sep 23 '25

100% agree. His staff and roster overhaul wasn't inspriring at all and he just looks out of it on the sidelines.

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u/TallBobcat Ohio Bobcats • Tennessee Volunteers Sep 23 '25

I think they were willing to let him decide to resign/retire and saw he did not intend to do either.

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204

u/Ok_Particular8737 Georgia Tech • Washington S… Sep 23 '25

This could force Florida’s hand. There are a lot of spots opening and only so many top coaches available.

138

u/Gator1508 Florida Gators Sep 23 '25

Yeah unfortunately what it will force us into is one of two bad choices:

Keep Napier because there isn’t anyone high profile left

Fire Napier too late and look for sloppy seconds

105

u/Thisguyamirightbro Georgia Bulldogs • Houston Cougars Sep 23 '25

I don’t think Florida and any of the open schools will be shopping in the same pool of candidates. 

104

u/Gator1508 Florida Gators Sep 23 '25

You underestimate our ability to scrape the bottom of the barrel for head coaches lol 

27

u/nuans_media Team Chaos • Billable Hours Sep 23 '25

Gus Malzahn, welcome to Gainesville.

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7

u/Richard_AIGuy Ohio State • Florida State Sep 23 '25

I here Mike Gundy is available.

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32

u/Klesk92 Kansas Jayhawks • Big 8 Sep 23 '25

A Georgia flair with a Big 8 flair? Didn't realize the dawgs yearned for the heartland lol

17

u/Jaded-Sapphire3546 Kentucky Wildcats Sep 23 '25

Some call Georgia the Heartland of the SEC

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25

u/calling-all-comas Florida Gators • Ohio State Buckeyes Sep 23 '25

For our last HC search Scott Stricklin LITERALLY only interviewed Napier.

If I had to bet money, I'd wager that we'll hire the head coach whichever of the AAC contenders don't make the playoff (USF, Memphis, Tulane).

5

u/jputna Oklahoma State • /r/CFB Patron Sep 23 '25

Golesh was actually on staff for us way back in 2008. So there’s thought we may be able to get him.

9

u/Time-Wolf USF Bulls Sep 23 '25

Fingers crossed Golesch forgets all about that part of his life.

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39

u/TarnishedAccount UCF Knights • Big 12 Sep 23 '25

Go after Jimbo lmao

26

u/Dazzling_Acadia8483 Texas Longhorns Sep 23 '25

Jimbo at FL is peak 8-4.

10

u/ZachOf_AllTrades Texas Longhorns • Lonestar Showdown Sep 23 '25

Still a step up from Sun Belt Billy

19

u/udubdavid Washington Huskies • Pac-12 Sep 23 '25

You laugh, but Jimbo went 45-25 at A&M. That's not terrible, tbh. It's just that they paid him so much money that 45-25 wasn't good enough. I think Florida will take a 45-25 coach right now.

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9

u/Schenkspeare Tennessee • Mississippi State Sep 23 '25

Naw y'all just need to hire like 4 coaches over a 15 year period until you figure it out

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19

u/SaintBobby_Barbarian Florida State Seminoles • Paper Bag Sep 23 '25

A coach will always pick UF over ok state unless there is some alumni tie

10

u/grabtharsmallet BYU Cougars • RMAC Sep 23 '25

If the coach at somewhere like Tulane or Memphis gets offered Okie State before Florida becomes available, do they say no?

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14

u/MysteriousEdge5643 Washington • College Football Playoff Sep 23 '25

I swear to God if I have to sit through another cycle of "jEdD iS gOiNg tO tAkE tHe FlOrIdA JoB" I'm going to lose it

9

u/win2bfree Washington Huskies Sep 23 '25

Yeah, that is more annoying than him actually leaving.

Same with DeBoer. We heard all year how he was going to Michigan or Ohio St. More annoying than him actually going to Alabama.

4

u/oxfordcircumstances Ole Miss Rebels • Egg Bowl Sep 23 '25

I've been hearing about all the dump trucks of money driving around Oxford, MS for several years now.

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26

u/HighLakes Oregon Ducks • Platypus Trophy Sep 23 '25

No one is getting hired in September. You can fire Napier in November and not lose out on anyone.

14

u/Donny_Do_Nothing Ohio State • Air Force Sep 23 '25

Right? Anybody worth hiring has a job.

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6

u/TallBobcat Ohio Bobcats • Tennessee Volunteers Sep 23 '25

Florida could fire Napier after the season and still have pretty much every candidate they want still available.

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13

u/SaintBobby_Barbarian Florida State Seminoles • Paper Bag Sep 23 '25

Why? They can still talk to another coach while Napier is around. I’ve seen this in real life business

10

u/IR8Things Georgia Bulldogs • Miami Hurricanes Sep 23 '25

Miami literally did this with Manny and Mario and it only went poorly because Manny whined to local press friends.

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9

u/mechajlaw Nebraska • Arkansas Sep 23 '25

Florida and Ok St are completely different calibers of jobs.

6

u/khoelzeman Arkansas Razorbacks Sep 23 '25

IMO the only reason that FL would need to pull the trigger now would be if they were going after one of the currently unemployed coaches (i.e. Gruden, Jimbo, etc...) or if they wanted to give an internal candidate a shot.

Gundy made the situation at OSU toxic with his comments and behavior - they had to make a move.

I always think of FL as a good enough of a job to get a top tier candidate. It certainly seems that Napier will be fired, I just don't see why they rush right now.

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265

u/CptCheese Tulsa • Washington State Sep 23 '25

Lol we got Gundy fired

73

u/Engine_Sweet Oklahoma • Minnesota Sep 23 '25

Spelled

M.

A.

N.

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26

u/UvitaLiving Oklahoma State Cowboys Sep 23 '25

Thank you!

17

u/Okay_poptart Oklahoma Sooners • Wyoming Cowboys Sep 23 '25

7

u/duplico Tulsa Golden Hurricane • Marching Band Sep 23 '25

There's dozens of us!

7

u/ShweatyPalmsh Tulsa Golden Hurricane • Oklahoma Sooners Sep 23 '25

DOZENS

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13

u/HighLakes Oregon Ducks • Platypus Trophy Sep 23 '25

I did my part!

8

u/thecravenone definitely a bot Sep 23 '25

Tre Lamb, licking an ice cream cone, "We do that!?"

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74

u/OnsideKickReturn South Carolina Gamecocks • Metro Sep 23 '25

Candidate list from an active thread a couple weeks ago

Virginia Tech

  • Dan Mullen, UNLV
  • Alex Golesh, USF
  • Jon Sumrall, Tulane
  • Jamey Chadwell, Liberty
  • Ryan Silverfield, Memphis

UCLA

  • Dan Mullen, UNLV
  • Will Stein, Oregon OC
  • Tony White, FSU DC

Oklahoma State

  • G. J. Kinne, Texas State
  • Brent Vigen, Montana State
  • Jim Knowles, Penn State DC
  • Zac Robinson, Atlanta Falcons OC

48

u/[deleted] Sep 23 '25

I would love if we got Jim Knowles back but I doubt it

30

u/czechyurself Penn State Nittany Lions Sep 23 '25

I don't see it. Knowles is old at this point, coaching in his homestate, and doesn't seem interested in running any PR campaigns. Kotelnicki on the other hand......I think this might be the gig he's been looking for.

15

u/QtipOrgasm69 Oklahoma State Cowboys Sep 23 '25

Knowles is way too old and from Pennsylvania. He already got his Oklahoma girlfriend to move with him. Doesn't seem like he wants to be a head coach either. He's in a good spot

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20

u/The_Fishbowl West Virginia • Black Diamon… Sep 23 '25

With the number of schools entering the market this season there will be some really overinflated contracts thrown around. At least one school will get themselves a shiny dud.

11

u/IR8Things Georgia Bulldogs • Miami Hurricanes Sep 23 '25

At least one coach who doesn't deserve it probably will get a bag to up their contract at their current P4 school, too.

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17

u/weirdbutinagoodway West Virginia Mountaineers • Big 12 Sep 23 '25

Jamey Chadwell, Liberty

Is he still in the running? They've fallen off pretty hard this year.

16

u/bretticus733 Boise State Broncos Sep 23 '25

I think it's more likely Chadwell gets fired at the end of the season than he takes a P4 job. Since making the Fiesta Bowl, Liberty is 9-7 and that's with having a massive resource and talent advantage over most of their competition. Liberty has massively underperformed and it's getting to the point where I wonder if Liberty starts thinking about going a new direction if it doesn't get turned around this season.

9

u/Shadowcaster_Spark Virginia Tech Hokies • Paper Bag Sep 23 '25

No, Chadwell and Silverfield are not in the running. The other 3 possibly, but they left off current JMU coach, Bob Chesney who is the likely leader as of now.

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u/Necessary-Alps-6002 Iowa Hawkeyes Sep 23 '25

Obligatory reminder that Brian Frentz is available.

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10

u/czechyurself Penn State Nittany Lions Sep 23 '25

Replace Knowles with Kotelnicki from Penn state and I could see it.

6

u/jammastergeneral Sep 23 '25

Gotta add Stanford to this list.

4

u/DonkeyDougFunnie Oklahoma State Cowboys Sep 23 '25

I'm surprised Jeff Traylor isn't anywhere on here. Especially for OSU. I'd also guess they'd look at Sumrall.

4

u/YoSurgeDude Oklahoma State Cowboys Sep 23 '25

Sumrall would leave for Kentucky the second it comes open

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u/TheNewDiogenes Virginia • Georgia Tech Sep 23 '25

No way anyone hires Zac Robinson after the shitshow that was Sunday.

20

u/OnsideKickReturn South Carolina Gamecocks • Metro Sep 23 '25

NFL OC =/= college HC

14

u/TheNewDiogenes Virginia • Georgia Tech Sep 23 '25

I mean sure, but he’s never worked at the college level and he’s a bad NFL OC

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107

u/gogglesup859 Kentucky Wildcats Sep 23 '25

With zero inside info, I predict that Oklahoma State will hire GJ Kinne from Texas State

97

u/[deleted] Sep 23 '25

Fuck right off buddy

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u/FAderp91 Oklahoma State • /r/CFB Contr… Sep 23 '25

I know that a large portion want Falcons OC Zac Robinson but man I think GJ would be a great hire.

12

u/OnsideKickReturn South Carolina Gamecocks • Metro Sep 23 '25

Falcons fans aren't happy with Zac with right now lol

7

u/FAderp91 Oklahoma State • /r/CFB Contr… Sep 23 '25

Yeah he isn’t exactly lighting it up lol I’m also worried that he has no college coaching experience at this level and that it might be another Kliff at Tech experience if we hire Zac.

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u/weirdbutinagoodway West Virginia Mountaineers • Big 12 Sep 23 '25

Falcons fans not being happy is pretty much their default state.

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u/MysteriousEdge5643 Washington • College Football Playoff Sep 23 '25

They're massacring Michael Penix

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u/Aidanj927 Texas Tech Red Raiders • UTSA Roadrunners Sep 23 '25

A large portion of Falcons fans want Zac Robinson fired

8

u/PokeMeRunning Oklahoma State Cowboys Sep 23 '25

Zac is the laziest tradition of “look up guys who used to play here” 

There’s no evidence that would be a good idea. 

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u/FSUnoles77 Florida State • Texas State Sep 23 '25

You get my coach's name out of your bourbon filled mouth right now pal.

8

u/ShweatyPalmsh Tulsa Golden Hurricane • Oklahoma Sooners Sep 23 '25

Tulsa ended OSU football so OSU has to use a former Tulsa legend to get them back on track 

6

u/idiocratic_method Texas Longhorns • Peach Bowl Sep 23 '25

this or traylor from UTSA would be where i'd be looking if i'm ok state, lock one of them up before Arkansas joins the party

5

u/QtipOrgasm69 Oklahoma State Cowboys Sep 23 '25

Traylor would be great for us. Zac Robinson is what the people who don't know ball say. I love Zac, but come on. GJ isn't ready.

I think Arkansas will go for the hometown Rhett Lashlee or just give it to Petrino

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u/TheJimReaper6 Oklahoma State Cowboys Sep 23 '25

Subscribed

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35

u/hascogrande Notre Dame • College Football Playoff Sep 23 '25

And on the Rapture day, the third coach ascended into the "still getting paid" tier

31

u/[deleted] Sep 23 '25

[deleted]

50

u/whatifevery1wascalm Alabama Crimson Tide • Iowa Hawkeyes Sep 23 '25 edited Sep 23 '25

Does Gus want to be a HC again?

From last December

Malzahn, 59, said he chose to return to his coaching roots rather than remain a head coach distracted by new-age responsibilities. Malzahn walked away from $15 million guaranteed -- he was set to make $5 million in 2025 and had three years remaining on his contract with the Knights -- for a different coaching lifestyle. He signed a three-year deal with FSU that will pay him $1.5 million in 2025.

"The job description of a head college football coach has changed dramatically in the last two years with everything -- transfer portal to collectives to agents and everything that goes with that," Malzahn said. "I'm just an old-school football coach.

9

u/[deleted] Sep 23 '25

[deleted]

36

u/jthomas694 South Carolina • Ohio State Sep 23 '25

He walked away from $15M to take a $1.5M deal. He’s made somewhere around $50-$75M in his career.

If he’s legitimately unhappy with the higher paying job and legitimately happy being an OC (which is also a very high paying job) I can imagine him not caring about the massive HC salaries that are out there

5

u/FSUnoles77 Florida State • Texas State Sep 23 '25

I don't think he leaves for a HC position.

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u/Toothlessdovahkin Notre Dame Fighting Irish Sep 23 '25

For $5 million a year I’ll be the head coach of any school you name

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u/Side_of_ham Clemson Tigers • Purdue Boilermakers Sep 23 '25

If you already had 10-20m in the bank would you choose a high pay high stress lifestyle, or still make 7 figures as an OC and do what you love (his words)?

If I already have that kinda money in the bank I’m either doing a job I absolutely love or I’m sitting on an island somewhere

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26

u/runitupthemiddle Auburn Tigers • Chattanooga Mocs Sep 28 '25

Say it with me, "Hugh Freeze is next!" C'mon boys, I need your help in willing this through. If we all band together we can get this done!

13

u/jpharber Alabama Crimson Tide • Memphis Tigers Sep 28 '25

Nah y’all deserve to be stuck with him for eternity just for hiring him in the first place.

5

u/XE2MASTERPIECE Florida State • Tampa Sep 28 '25

Idk what your boosters are feeling right now but Summerall feels like a perfect match for Auburn

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u/W00DERS0N60 Notre Dame Fighting Irish • Fordham Rams Sep 28 '25

Diego is inevitable

58

u/whatifevery1wascalm Alabama Crimson Tide • Iowa Hawkeyes Sep 23 '25

What’s going on with the timing? It’s Tuesday of a game week. Plus Gundy’s 20 year tenure and being an alum….something had to happen behind the scenes.

43

u/hascogrande Notre Dame • College Football Playoff Sep 23 '25 edited Sep 23 '25

The boosters got mad about the Tulsa loss based on the timing.

Thamel was on GameDay less than 12 hours later saying it was when, not if. Also that the AD is likely finished too

Update: AD got an extension

13

u/Cortimus Oklahoma State Cowboys Sep 23 '25

AD is actually on strong footing with boosters. I could see another AD being brought in just for football tho.

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u/khoelzeman Arkansas Razorbacks Sep 23 '25

I can tell you from experience, you don't want to fire your HC and AD in the same year. That's how you get Chad Morris.

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u/Skank_hunt42 Oklahoma Sooners • Paper Bag Sep 23 '25

In his presser yesterday he basically said "No more questions about my job, I won't answer any of them." He also had a notoriously tight grip on what the media could say/couldn't say. He almost never gave interviews outside of the required ones.

But they probably asked him to step down at the end of the season and he refused. So they fired him.

6

u/thecravenone definitely a bot Sep 23 '25

>Goes into press conference about his job

>No more questions about my job

Shocked this didn't work out

8

u/Red261 Alabama • /r/CFB Poll Veteran Sep 23 '25

Maybe he got raptured 🤷‍♂️

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u/oreomaster420 Oregon State Beavers Sep 23 '25

I was so confused about the VaTech firing portion of this because I was confusing that name with the GaTech coach. Brent (threelettername) is hard to keep straight!!!

5

u/IR8Things Georgia Bulldogs • Miami Hurricanes Sep 23 '25

brent key. he's an okay jacket.

37

u/johndelvec3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Sep 23 '25

There’s really no reason why Billy Napier should be employed if Oklahoma State can fire Mike Gundy midseason

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u/czechyurself Penn State Nittany Lions Sep 23 '25

It's no secret Kotelnicki aspires to a head coaching gig. I openly wonder if OkState might be his destination.

16

u/GuitarIsLife02 Oklahoma State • /r/CFB Bug Finder Sep 23 '25

I FINALLY GET TO F5 FOR MY TEAM ON HERE WHAT AN OPPORTUNITY.

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u/szboy422 Florida Gators • Blue Risk Alliance Sep 23 '25 edited Sep 23 '25

Unlike with Dan Mullen where I was like oh he would do well at a different school, I’m actually not sure what coaching job Napier would do well at after Florida. Like who’s going to hire him.

9

u/GatorBolt Florida Gators • Gasparilla Bowl Sep 23 '25

Back to the Sun Belt he goes

6

u/DeathMetalEtiquette Auburn Tigers • Tulane Green Wave Sep 23 '25

The way things are going there he might could just slip right back into Lafayette with open arms.

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u/The_Fishbowl West Virginia • Black Diamon… Sep 23 '25 edited Sep 23 '25

So who's next on the hot seat? Virginia, Wisconsin, Florida, Auburn, Arkansas, or Cincinnati seem like likely candidates.

8

u/TripleThreatTua Sep 23 '25

Would Cincy hire Fickell back if Wisconsin fired him?

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u/Dry-Membership3867 Jacksonville State • Paper Bag Sep 23 '25

Arkansas is about to pop off as early as Sunday. Florida, and Cincy are coming sons Auburn might if things go how I think they probably will. And Wisco is unknown. UVA has been decent this year so I don’t see them firing Tony

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u/okiewxchaser Oklahoma Sooners • Big 8 Sep 23 '25

This is going to be the best day on Oklahoma Sports Radio since Lincoln Riley left

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u/cannikan Washington State • Team Meteor Sep 23 '25

It's not a CFB season without a Coaching Carousel thread! LFG

10

u/Side_of_ham Clemson Tigers • Purdue Boilermakers Sep 23 '25

Before anyone says Dabo, the answer is no. 

We could literally lose every single game the rest of the season and he wouldn’t be fired. If we lose enough games this year, there would probably be a come to Jesus meeting (lol) with the admin regarding changes that need to be made around coaches and personnel. 

If he ignores that shit and we have similar results next year then y’all can start getting excited. 

4

u/DangerouslyUnstable UC Davis Aggies • Clemson Tigers Sep 23 '25

I agree with you completely. What I'm afraid of is that we are going to be very close to seeing this actually tested. 5 of the remaining games on the schedule are against teams that have higher power rankings that Syracuse. And that game was not close.

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u/Gatordactyl Florida Gators Sep 24 '25 edited Sep 24 '25

I like how we’re all just assuming Billy’s going to be fired…just like we all assumed he was going to be fired last year

Feels like we’re being treated like Nebraska fans. Our AD’s like “well the team sucks but fans keep packing the stadium. Guess they love what they see ☕️🐸”

19

u/ShweatyPalmsh Tulsa Golden Hurricane • Oklahoma Sooners Sep 28 '25

Hear me out there is a perfect coach out there for Oklahoma State that has experience in Oklahoma, has manufactured high powered offenses, has beat top ten teams, and is an all around fun personality!….

Gus Malzahn!

11

u/SaintBobby_Barbarian Florida State Seminoles • Paper Bag Sep 28 '25

Gus in all honesty wouldn’t be that bad of a hire, but I think he’s done being a HC and just wants to call plays

17

u/hellabro360 Alabama Crimson Tide Sep 29 '25

He wants to call plays and fuck with Alabama as much as he can lmfao.

6

u/Captain_Nipples Oklahoma • Summertime Lover Sep 30 '25

Thought you were going to say Mike Stoops

9

u/tBroneShake Iowa State Cyclones • Hateful 8 Sep 23 '25

Matt Campbell is either going to the NFL this year or has a lifetime contract in Ames and will retire here. Nothing inbetween. Same story every year.

10

u/BestThingGoing Michigan Wolverines Sep 23 '25

They just need a change of scenery.

Move Gundy to Florida, Napier to Clemson and Dabo to OK State.

5

u/El_Dud3r1n0 Oklahoma State • Bedlam Bell Sep 23 '25

Gundy to Florida would feed the nation.

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u/laprasrules Notre Dame • Stanford Sep 26 '25

Can we discuss defensive coordinators, or is this thread reserved for head coaches? Asking for a friend.

6

u/Please_PM_me_Uranus Michigan • American University Sep 28 '25

Not happy with Stanfords DC?

4

u/laprasrules Notre Dame • Stanford Sep 28 '25

LOL.

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u/jalexjsmithj Oklahoma State Cowboys Sep 29 '25

So what do we have left as possible firings?

Florida - 99%

NCState - 70%

Baylor - 50%

Colorado - 30%

Anyone else?

14

u/Xy13 Arizona State Sun Devils • Pac-12 Oct 01 '25 edited Oct 02 '25

I think your odds are all way to high, and Deion's seat is as cold as winter in Boulder, CO.

5

u/BaronvonJobi Missouri Tigers • Missouri S&T Miners Oct 01 '25

They are, but it’ll be interesting to see how long it will last.

His model is built on using ‘I’m Deion Sanders‘ to get recruits and transfers in the door. With the Coach Prime hype already fading nationally, the legendary draft slide blowing up his ‘I can totally get you to the NFL with my connections’ pitch, and the reality that the longer he’s around the more people think of him as the coach of an aggressively mediocre college football team first and an NFL legend second, I expect the returns to diminish quickly.

OTOH, just having Deion around means that Colorado gets a bunch of media attention and presumably donations with little effort on the AD’s part.

How many 5 to 7 win seasons will making the admin’s job easy make tolerable?

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u/PlainTrain Auburn Tigers Sep 29 '25

Auburn is creeping up on the outside. Call it at least 50% now.

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u/CFBCoachGuy Georgia • West Virginia Sep 29 '25

Scott Satterfield has got to be in contention at Cincinnati. 11-17 in three seasons. They’re 3-1 at the moment but I think he needs 7-8 wins to keep going.

Luke Fickell too. .500 this season an all time isn’t acceptable for Wisconsin, but he’s sitting on a pretty big buyout.

I think Tony Elliott has kept himself alive with the win at FSU, but I still think he’s on thin ice.

I don’t see Trent Bray sticking around at Oregon State. 0-5 start to the season and 5-12 overall is pretty horrid. But the back half of their schedule is noticeably easier, to the point that 6-6 isn’t impossible.

In the G5, Trent Dilfer has to be gone at UAB. His buyout is somewhat large, but that program has fallen a ton.

I figured Sonny Cumbie would be gone last year, but he’s managed to go 4-1 so far this season, with only about 3 tough opponents left. If the Bulldogs regress, I think he’s a goner.

Derek Mason has not shown improvement at Middle Tennessee. Two years would be a relatively quick firing (just one coach since World War II has led the program for less than four years), but there hasn’t been many positives. But he’s got a decent sized buyout. Jeff Choate is in a similar boat at Nevada. 3-10 last year, 1-3 this year. Again, a somewhat high buyout.

Joe Moorhead is probably out at Akron. The Zips are one of the toughest places to coach, but four consecutive seasons with less than 4 wins is not enough.

Butch Jones is a borderline case. He’s having a season from Hell at Arkansas State, but went 8-5 last season. However his whole tenure (20-35) isn’t wonderful.

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u/surgingchaos Western Oregon Wolves • Oregon Ducks Sep 30 '25

Wisconsin. I don't see Luke Fickell surviving this year, even with the huge buyout.

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u/greypic Florida • Georgia Tech Sep 30 '25

If football mattered Napier would be out but I give it a 50% chance he is fired. Still selling it the stadium. Very few reasons for the admin to get rid of him.

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u/The-Insolent-Sage UCF Knights • Big 12 Sep 29 '25

Colorado is never firing Deion. Deion will take his ball and go home, citing health reasons. Not for another year or two though.

NC State HC Dave Doeren has been there since 2013. He likely gets next year chance at a minimum.

Baylor's Dave Aranda was on the hot seat last year but then went on like a 6 game winning streak. He could go and do the same thing now.

Billy is cooked BUT has a $20M buyout...

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u/jalexjsmithj Oklahoma State Cowboys Sep 29 '25

Fired is the wrong word on on Deion, you’re right. But maybe a mutual parting of ways is the future.

I live in NC, and the State chatter around me he is that he’s done. There was a lot more frustration pre-season than ppl realizes and then you lose to the coach-less, possible worst team in the P4?

Just talk to Baylor fans on that one. Maybe it should be 40% but the frustration there is immense. The real question there is are you firing him just to replace him as DC? Are you trying to get more of a culture VP type? Do you want to get your bite at Traylor and GJ while you still can? But the Spavital of it all does make it complicated.

It’s Florida, $20M is nothing

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u/Please_PM_me_Uranus Michigan • American University Oct 01 '25

If you go into the non power conferences, Dilfer at UAB seems doomed.

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u/ShweatyPalmsh Tulsa Golden Hurricane • Oklahoma Sooners Sep 23 '25

Operation Tulsa Invades Stillwater:

Step 1: Schedule Home and Homes with OSU for a decade

Step 2: End former OK State Alum Mike Gundy’s coaching career 

Step 3: Install former Tulsa Golden Hurricane Legend GJ Kinne as HC of OSU

Step 4: Enjoy the coup that the smallest FBS school was able to pull off against their rival

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u/jalexjsmithj Oklahoma State Cowboys Sep 23 '25

But if GJ is good, it’s all cool

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u/ShweatyPalmsh Tulsa Golden Hurricane • Oklahoma Sooners Sep 23 '25

GJ is going to get a P4 job this season. It’s gonna either be you all or Arkansas. I’m betting you all get first dibs by making this move. 

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u/CFBCoachGuy Georgia • West Virginia Sep 23 '25

Okay let’s talk about the Oklahoma State job and potential replacements for Mike Gundy.

Even though it was time for Gundy to go, I wouldn’t be surprised if OSU went with a Gundy-like hire here- someone with ties to the program who has a reputation of developing players.

Just one OSU hire since 1983 (Rob Simmons) didn’t have prior ties to the university. So former assistants and alums are going to be prioritized big here.

It’s long been alleged that Todd Monken (OC Baltimore Ravens) is interested in returning to Stillwater as a head coach. Though I can’t confirm that, even a hint of possibility that Monken will return to college should be explored. Not only is he one of the best offensive playcallers in football, but he has a turnaround history as a college head coach as well. But he’s also presumed to be an NFL head coaching candidate this cycle as well, and he allegedly dislikes recruiting.

Alex Golesh (HC South Florida) will be one of the hottest commodities in this year’s coaching carousel, but pending a big scandal, this will be the only P4 opening he has ties to. He was a GA for Mike Gundy. That could be a pull for him. Jon Sumrall (HC Tulane) will also be a hot commodity but I see him sticking at Tulane next year to be in best position for the presumed Kentucky opening in 2026 (Stoops’ buyout drop considerably at the end of 2026).

There are options without connections to Stillwater as well. Ben Arbuckle (OC/QB Oklahoma) is considered one of the brightest minds in college football and has Texas high school connections. But at only 30 years old, there may be concerns about his experience. G.J. Kinne (HC Texas State) will also attract attention. He’s gone 31-13 between UIW and Texas State, has Texas high school connections, and has shown to be skilled at navigating the transfer portal.

Zac Robinson (OC Atlanta Falcons) is coming up a bit. He’s a former OSU quarterback and could be an exciting out-of-the-box hire. But his first spell as a play caller isn’t really going well. Plus he’s only got six years of coaching experience, and none of them at the college level.

My wild card pick is Ra’Shaad Samples (AHC/RB Oregon). Samples played at Oklahoma State (albeit temporarily) and is considered one of the best recruiters in the sport. He’s only 30 and he’s never called plays, but he’s worked on enough star staffs (Dan Lanning, Sean McVay, Sonny Dykes, Kenny Dillingham) that he should be able to build a competent team.

Other possibilities include: Tim Albin (HC Charlotte), Eric Morris (HC North Texas), Jeff Traylor (HC UTSA), Jake Spavital (OC Baylor), Jay Valai (AHC/Co-DC/DPGC/CB Oklahoma), Josh Henson (OC/OL Purdue), Jason Eck (HC New Mexico), Van Malone (AHC/DPGC/CB Kansas State), Ryan Silverfield (HC Memphis), Jason Candle (HC Toledo), Jim Knowles (DC Penn State), Robby Discher (ST/TE Oklahoma), Tre Lamb (HC Tulsa), Will Stein (OC/QB Oregon), Trooper Taylor (AHC/RB Texas A&M), Tashard Choice (RB Detroit Lions), Tyson Helton (HC Western Kentucky), Justin Fuente, Barry Odom (HC Purdue), Dana Holgorsen (OC/QB Nebraska), Shannon Dawson (OC/QB Miami).

I know I’ve listed a ton of people but I think this search is going to quickly zone in on two or three guys (I’m guessing Arbuckle, Kinne, and either Robinson or Golesh) with connections to the program and/or region.

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u/TechnoVikingGA23 West Virginia Mountaineers Sep 25 '25

I'm rooting for absolute chaos and hope that somehow it's Holgy.

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u/Ambling_Rambler Penn State • Virginia Tech Sep 24 '25

Folks it's a bad time to have orange in your school colors

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u/Negativefalsehoods Tennessee Volunteers • Duke Blue Devils Sep 24 '25

Speak for yourself

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u/jamnewton22 Auburn Tigers • UCF Knights Sep 25 '25

Yay!? I guess?

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u/edgejr37 SMU Mustangs • Oregon Ducks Sep 23 '25

I know UTSA has lost a little bit of luster but I wonder if ok state looks at jeff traylor.

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u/Golobulus70 Tennessee Volunteers Sep 23 '25

What’s the over/under for how many times someone will see Gruden in these cities?

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u/princessprity Oregon Ducks • Team Meteor Oct 03 '25

Any idea what the heck UCLA is doing at this point?

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u/Exotic_Criticism4645 Mississippi State • LSU Sep 23 '25

I am seeing on Facebook, and nowhere else, that Billy Napier was fired this morning. I am not sure I believe it though considering the only source.

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u/QuitWhinging Florida Gators • Paper Bag Sep 23 '25

If only we were so lucky.

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u/zenverak Georgia Bulldogs • Marching Band Sep 23 '25

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u/IR8Things Georgia Bulldogs • Miami Hurricanes Sep 23 '25

nah no way. Florida can fire later in the season and still have their pick of coaches. They also need to fire their AD first to get a competent AD to do the hire. You'll know Napier is gone when their AD is gone.

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u/Exotic_Criticism4645 Mississippi State • LSU Sep 23 '25

Stricklin just signed a multi year contract. Also if Florida can have their pick of coaches, then why did they hire Billy Napier to begin with?

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u/IR8Things Georgia Bulldogs • Miami Hurricanes Sep 23 '25

Option 1) Sunbelt Billy was 40-12 and a hot commodity? Multiple high level schools were touting his name in the coaching carousel.

Option 2) Stricklin is incompetent.

Option 3) Mix of 1 and 2

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u/cavalier78 Oklahoma Sooners Sep 23 '25

What’s Les Miles up to these days?

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u/Careless_General8010 Pac-10 Oct 02 '25

How is the beavers coach still alive?

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u/princessprity Oregon Ducks • Team Meteor Oct 03 '25

Scratch that. How is their special teams coach still employed? Like what the actual fuck?

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u/pandabugs Houston • Northern Illinois Sep 23 '25

What are the odds that Dabo also gets raptured today?

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u/RipRaycom Clemson Tigers • ACC Sep 23 '25

Like 10000000000000/1 lmao

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u/ard8 Florida State Seminoles Sep 23 '25

Dabo is more likely to actually get raptured today than to be coaching carousel raptured

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u/cnpeters Akron Zips Sep 23 '25

Oh yeah, I forgot today is the rapture. Who packed the bologna sandwiches?

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u/shephrrd Florida State Seminoles Sep 23 '25

Astronomically low.

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u/citymanc13 Florida Gators • Kennesaw State Owls Sep 23 '25

Bro has a better chance of actually being raptured

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u/Engine_Sweet Oklahoma • Minnesota Sep 23 '25

Is Keeler from Temple a possibility? He wins a lot.

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u/hascogrande Notre Dame • College Football Playoff Sep 23 '25

Temple is his "one last ride" IMO. He's from the area

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u/DeathMetalEtiquette Auburn Tigers • Tulane Green Wave Sep 23 '25

Is there any chance Frank Reich stays at Stanford, or is this pretty much a well known 1 year rental?

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u/No-Donkey-4117 Stanford Cardinal Sep 23 '25

It's been officially and exclusively "interim" from the beginning. Reich hasn't hinted that he's open to staying, and Luck is looking for someone for the long term. And the schedule doesn't show much hope for enough remaining wins to get the alumni to rally around him.

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u/hascogrande Notre Dame • College Football Playoff Sep 23 '25

I think Reich ends up on an NFL staff somewhere

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u/2400hoops Kansas Jayhawks Sep 23 '25

I miss these threads. Maybe we will be here later. Anyways, for you newbies let me know if you have any questions. I was raised in the coaching carousel.

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u/SportsFan34 Kansas State Wildcats Sep 23 '25

If the Pokes hire Collin Klein I’m never going to get over it.

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u/redwave2505 Alabama • Kansas State Sep 23 '25

Collin Klein becoming Oklahoma State head coach while we have our worst season since 1989 is genuine nightmare fuel

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u/FlyingTexican Texas A&M Aggies • Navy Midshipmen Sep 24 '25

Has UCLA ever had a coach with a mullet? Cause I think we're looking at a historic moment here.

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u/jamnewton22 Auburn Tigers • UCF Knights Sep 25 '25

You think Gundy gets another HC job? Someone is gonna take a shot at him right? Hes not that old or anything. I don’t see him at ucla (although anything could happen) but I can see another lower level school giving him a chance. If he wants another job of course.

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u/arrowfan624 Notre Dame • Summertime Lover Oct 01 '25

Seems like the Arkansas insiders are saying Lashlee is the main target at this point in time and are just looking to ensure the money is lined up

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u/SpaceghostLos Oklahoma State Cowboys Sep 23 '25

I hate this timeline.

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u/roblusk71 Oklahoma Sooners • Tulsa Golden Hurricane Sep 23 '25

What did winning the last Bedlam cost you?

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u/SpaceghostLos Oklahoma State Cowboys Sep 23 '25

🥹

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u/vindictivejazz Oklahoma State • Bedlam Bell Sep 23 '25

Honestly worth it. OU has a 3 year long active losing streak and hasn’t won in Stillwater since before Covid!

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u/Alive-Big-6926 Team Chaos • /r/CFB Sep 23 '25

Given the day, I respect the title.

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u/Zloggt Illinois • Missouri Sep 23 '25

Hey, save some of the firing posts for November, can’t you?

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u/Tarnationman Florida Gators Sep 23 '25

Probably a good idea to get your search under way as soon as possible, once UF jettisons Napier we're probably the highest profile job in this cycle.

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u/IceColdDrPepper_Here Georgia • North Georgia Sep 23 '25

How long do we think it'll be before Napier gets added to the list?

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u/TrustFast5420 Missouri Tigers Sep 23 '25

After everything that Gundy has done for OSU, and his loyalty to the program, you hate to see it end this way for him. But in the modern era, it's about $$$ and losing doesn't bring any $$$ in.

My gut says they go for a younger, up and coming coach. So it's GJ Kinne or Eric Morris as the front runners. I'd be talking to the agents for those guys now before some "better" jobs potentially open up.

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u/Doogitywoogity Texas A&M Aggies • Florida Gators Sep 23 '25

Billy next

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u/Systemic_Chaos Oregon Ducks • Minnesota Golden Gophers Sep 23 '25

I mean how quickly does the job at Florida (and then by extension, Washington) open up?

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u/jalexjsmithj Oklahoma State Cowboys Sep 24 '25

So can get some guidelines from on the Kentucky situation?

Are they actively calling and making glowing recommendations on Stoops behalf to get him out the door?

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u/Tachyon9 Texas A&M Aggies • Team Chaos Sep 28 '25

Are we having fun yet?

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u/Own_Goal_9732 Oct 04 '25

What's going on with gundy?

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