College football coaching hires 2026: Handing out grades for Lane Kiffin, James Franklin and more
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College football coaching hires 2026: Handing out grades for Lane Kiffin, James Franklin and more originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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One year after there were just six Power 4 coaching changes, the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC combined for 17 coaching changes in the 2025-26 cycle. Blueblood jobs such as LSU, Florida, Penn State and Michigan all enter 2026 with new leadership.
The carousel began Sept. 14, when Virginia Tech fired Brent Pry and UCLA fired DeShaun Foster, and it ended on Dec. 26, when Michigan sealed the deal with Kyle Whittingham.
Here is a quick look at the faces in new places, and SN's grade on the new hire.
MORE: Ranking the 138 FBS coaches entering 2026
ACC
Cal: Tosh Lupoi
Previous job: Oregon defensive coordinator
The Cal alum comes home for his first head coaching job, and he already got his first win by keeping QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele out of the transfer portal.
Grade: B-
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Stanford: Tavita Pritchard
Previous job: Washington Commanders QB coach
Another alum comes home for his first head coaching gig. Hired by former teammate Andrew Luck to rescue a program that hasn’t been to a bowl game since 2018.
Grade: C-
Virginia Tech: James Franklin
Previous job: Penn State head coach
Perfect landing spot for Franklin to rebuild his reputation. Eleven recruits and 12 players from Penn State’s roster followed Franklin to Blacksburg.
Grade: A-
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Big Ten
Michigan: Kyle Whittingham
Previous job: Utah head coach
After a less-than-amicable parting at Utah, the 66-year-old’s role is to stabilize a scandal-ridden program and get Michigan into the CFP in Year 2 at the latest.
Grade: A-
Michigan State: Pat Fitzgerald
Previous job: Northwestern head coach
Cleared of hazing charges that led to his dismissal, Fitzgerald, 51, inherits a program that is 9-27 in Big Ten play the last four years.
Grade: B-
Penn State: Matt Campbell
Previous job: Iowa State head coach
After missing on candidates from Curt Cignetti to Kalani Sitake, the Lions were fortunate Campbell was still available. He brings 24 players from Iowa State and has a solid track record.
Grade: B+
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UCLA: Bob Chesney
Previous job: James Madison head coach
Chesney did something Cignetti didn’t at JMU: make the College Football Playoff. He has won at D3, D2, FCS and Group of 6. UCLA is the next step.
Grade: B+
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Big 12
Iowa State: Jimmy Rogers
Previous job: Washington State head coach
Rogers went 6-6 in Year 1 after two years at South Dakota State. With a depleted ISU roster, Year 1 will be a challenge and he does not have a long track record as a head coach.
Grade: C
Kansas State: Collin Klein
Previous job: Texas A&M offensive coordinator
Klein played under Bill Snyder, coached under Chris Klieman and has been a respected OC. Logical hire that has excited the fan base.
Grade: B
Oklahoma State: Eric Morris
Previous job: North Texas head coach
Developed a reputation as a QB whisperer with Cam Ward, John Mateer and now Drew Mestemaker, who is following Morris to OSU after leading the nation in passing.
Grade :A-
Utah: Morgan Scalley
Previous job: Utah defensive coordinator
Scalley has been coach-in-waiting since 2024 and has been a player or coach at Utah for 25 years. Confidence is high he can live up to the high bar Whittingham set.
Grade: A-
SEC
Arkansas: Ryan Silverfield
Previous job: Memphis head coach
The Hogs got their third choice from the American, which wasn’t a big hit with the fan base. It will be an uphill battle for a guy who went 50-24 at Memphis.
Grade: C+
Auburn: Alex Golesh
Previous job: USF head coach
Golesh pivoted late from Arkansas to Auburn with trademark SEC coaching search drama. Directed an amazing turnaround at USF, and brings his star QB Byrum Brown with him.
Grade: A-
Florida: Jon Sumrall
Previous job: Tulane head coach
Sumrall passed on Auburn to try to revive the Gators. Was lights out in two years at Troy and took Tulane to the CFP in his second season. He is 43-12 in four years.
Grade: A
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Kentucky: Will Stein
Previous job: Oregon offensive coordinator
Ducks were No. 2, No. 17 and No. 10 in scoring in his three years as OC. The 36-year-old Louisville alum takes his first head coaching job at the in-state rival.
Grade: B-
LSU: Lane Kiffin
Previous job: Ole Miss head coach
Kiffin’s need for attention is only exceeded by his ability to coach ball. Pressure will be sky-high from the start, but he likes it that way.
Grade: A-
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Ole Miss: Pete Golding
Previous job: Ole Miss defensive coordinator
Golding made an amazing debut with a run to CFP semifinals in relief of Kiffin. He served under Nick Saban and Kiffin for the last eight seasons. The fan base loves him … for now.
Grade: B
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