Coaching carousel 2025-26

[Bama_N_Va]

What a curiosity that Woodward is the common denominator on Jimbo's massive buyout ... and now Kelly's.

Maybe Woodward needs to be fired, and Kelly becomes the AD!!!

 

[4Q Basket Case]

So many interesting points in this thread....

He's already coaching in professional football...

All college coaches are coaching professional ball. College football bearing any semblance of what we knew disappeared with the O'Bannon decision.

I’m told that representatives for Texas coach Steve Sarkisian have let NFL decision makers know that he would be interested in potential head coaching openings, including the Titans’.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1982086013062168935

Sarkisian to Texas Exes: Your money is nice, but it's too expensive. I have to deal with professional players anyway. If I'm in the NFL, I deal with only one owner. And free agency isn't an annual thing.

You are assuming the new hires (the staff and boosters) play by the rule book. Behind-the-scenes poaching? No way that will happen.

There's a rule book? Where? Who wrote it? Has a court approved it?

Probably more to do with the boosters than anything.

He may be getting forced to play Arch.

Kyle Flood, come on down!!

Ordinarily, I'd agree. But he played Quinn Ewers ahead of Arch last year. Now we know why. I was discussing with Mrs. Basket Case yesterday, and we wondered how bad Arch's backup had to be to justify Arch keeping the job this long.

I wouldn't be surprised... The boosters at Tejas are one of the primary things that will let us keep up with them and their massive NIL budget going forward.

Truer words never written.

I think LSU would/will owe Killy some $53 million if they fire him now (90% of remaining contract)...

There are articles saying LSU is "negotiating" with Kelley on the terms of termination. I don't understand why Kelley would negotiate a penny. As far as we've heard, Orgeron didn't. Fisher didn't. Franklin didn't. Why would Kelley?

They will pay him the buyout or they will keep him as their HC [stifles laugh]. I've read that the buyout is in monthly installments through 2031. If true, that mitigates the pain a little bit. But it still stings. It's kind of like alimony approaching $750K / month.

Kelley might be willing to accept a single payout in lieu of a bunch of installments. But at today's interest rates, the difference wouldn't be all that much. Or maybe a single payment with no obligation to look for another job.

Regardless, they'll likely have pay the buyout of the incoming coach.

LSU is between a rock and a hard place of their own making, and doesn't have the resources to just throw money at the problem. Poor guys. And yes, Woodward has some 'splainin to do.

 

[Padreruf]

I heard the Sarkisian rumor from a friend in Texas a few hours ago...and he doesn't deal in rumor mongering.

 

[selmaborntidefan]

He gone.

LSU firing Brian Kelly after loss to Texas A&M, coaching staff standoff: Sources

Brian Kelly will finish his LSU tenure with a 34-14 record in less than four seasons after a tense standoff about his future on Sunday.

www.nytimes.com

 

[Con]

I heard the Sarkisian rumor from a friend in Texas a few hours ago...and he doesn't deal in rumor mongering.

The question is, who would they get to replace him?

 

[Padreruf]

The question is, who would they get to replace him?

I really don't care...they are the most arrogant fans for no apparent reason that I have ever laid eyes upon...they could probably get BK!!!

IOW, I have no idea...

 

[4Q Basket Case]

Multiple credible sources -- CBS Sports, ESPN, Yahoo, et. al. -- are reporting that LSU has fired Kelly after a contentious meeting with Scott Woodward this morning. Who would ever think that Kelly would be contentious while being held accountable for his own performance?

Can't decide whether this is good for our game on November 8 or not. On one hand, they're in disarray with a bunch of players likely focusing on their transfer destination as opposed to us. On the other, they could go all in (I know you're trying to stifle a laugh) and be on an emotional high.

Given that they have two weeks to think about it, I'm guessing it's the former. Too much time for the emotional "all for one, one for all" to last....assuming such a thing even exists anymore.

Late Add: Scott Woodward might be in the crosshairs himself. His last two coaching hires have resulted in over $125 million in buyouts for his employers.

 

[CoolBreeze]

So many high level coaching jobs open...and not even in November yet. Get the feeling there will be some Ted Lasso hires to fill the void.

 

[JDCrimson]

ADs need to just avoid buyouts altogether. Regardless how the coach leaves the transfer portal still opens. Might as well get everyone on the same page, pay for play.

I think a lot of these coaches are tanking to get the buyout to go do something else but this.

And don't forget we are in the same predicament in that CKD contract is fully guaranteed.

The players, coaches, and agents are literally robbing these programs...

 

[selmaborntidefan]

Hilarity is Auburn watching everybody else fire their coaches while they’re trying to make their choices, but holding onto the one they know they plan to throw overboard at the end of the season anyway - ensuring their next hire won’t be all that great either.

 

[some_al_fan]

Hilarity is Auburn watching everybody else fire their coaches while they’re trying to make their choices, but holding onto the one they know they plan to throw overboard at the end of the season anyway - ensuring their next hire won’t be all that great either.

Brian Kelly to Auburn?

 

[AlexanderFan]

Hilarity is Auburn watching everybody else fire their coaches while they’re trying to make their choices, but holding onto the one they know they plan to throw overboard at the end of the season anyway - ensuring their next hire won’t be all that great either.

I think they are saving the emotional outburst for the Iron Bowl.

His health is failing, he can’t continue coaching at the level he is accustomed to, this will be my final game, win it for the Burner if you will.

 

[arthurdawg]

ADs need to just avoid buyouts altogether. Regardless how the coach leaves the transfer portal still opens. Might as well get everyone on the same page, pay for play.

I think a lot of these coaches are tanking to get the buyout to go do something else but this.

And don't forget we are in the same predicament in that CKD contract is fully guaranteed.

The players, coaches, and agents are literally robbing these programs...

Honestly... There are 16 teams in the SEC and playing 9 games is going to be a brutal slog year to year. I mean heck... The bottom four of State, UK, Auburn, SC, and really 5 with LSU could upset anyone in the conference on a given day. Well, maybe not TAMU, but, anyways...

I think with how DeBoer is doing this year, with his recruiting, and with the overall feel of the program, you have to be patient and keep working. We may and probably will have years when we lose several games, but paying a huge contract off to pick up another also ran like Petrino or Jimbo or another rerun isn't going to make you better.

With Kelly... That is an easy one though. Bad hire from the start. Never should have happened.

 

[4Q Basket Case]

Honestly... There are 16 teams in the SEC and playing 9 games is going to be a brutal slog year to year. I mean heck... The bottom four of State, UK, Auburn, SC, and really 5 with LSU could upset anyone in the conference on a given day. Well, maybe not TAMU, but, anyways...

I think with how DeBoer is doing this year, with his recruiting, and with the overall feel of the program, you have to be patient and keep working. We may and probably will have years when we lose several games, but paying a huge contract off to pick up another also ran like Petrino or Jimbo or another rerun isn't going to make you better.

With Kelly... That is an easy one though. Bad hire from the start. Never should have happened.

And you're essentially asking my favorite question: If you want to fire your coach, who can you get who (1) will represent a clear upgrade, and (2) will realistically come?

Everybody wants to vent their spleen by yelling, "fahr heeuz sorry carcass!" Ok, fine. Who's your replacement? And "Anybody" isn't an eligible response. You need to name a real person.

Often, the answer is a blank stare followed by an untrue declaration that, "We're [fill in school]....we can get anybody we want!"

Be careful who you fire. You now have to hire somebody and have just proven that your hiring skills are suspect at best. Ask Scott Woodward how that works.

 

[Redwood Forrest]

Trying to predict what these ADs are going to do is insane. I hear Finebaum and all the other talking heads trying to put the various pieces together and I just shake my head. I Suppose they do it for ratings. Think back and go figure. Napier to Florida??? Jimbo to aTm and give him Fort Knox to boot??? Franklin to Penn State??? I could go on and on listing hires that make us go bang our head against the wall. Some hires this year will catch us by a big "what are they thinking" cartoon moment of bewilderment.

 

[arthurdawg]

And you're essentially asking my favorite question: If you want to fire your coach, who can you get who (1) will represent a clear upgrade, and (2) will realistically come?

Everybody wants to vent their spleen by yelling, "fahr heeuz sorry carcass!" Ok, fine. Who's your replacement? And "Anybody" isn't an eligible response. You need to name a real person.

Often, the answer is a blank stare followed by an untrue declaration that, "We're [fill in school]....we can get anybody we want!"

Be careful who you fire. You now have to hire somebody and have just proven that your hiring skills are suspect at best. Ask Scott Woodward how that works.

Exactly... I mean suppose CKD has 3 solid seasons and then we have an 8-5 season... We'd have boosters and fans wanting him fired. But who is going to do better? I think way too many schools overlook a solid program or that they are a bottom dweller and just aren't going to be winning that much.

 

[some_al_fan]

And you're essentially asking my favorite question: If you want to fire your coach, who can you get who (1) will represent a clear upgrade, and (2) will realistically come?

Everybody wants to vent their spleen by yelling, "fahr heeuz sorry carcass!" Ok, fine. Who's your replacement? And "Anybody" isn't an eligible response. You need to name a real person.

Often, the answer is a blank stare followed by an untrue declaration that, "We're [fill in school]....we can get anybody we want!"

Be careful who you fire. You now have to hire somebody and have just proven that your hiring skills are suspect at best. Ask Scott Woodward how that works.

Personally, in an ideal world, I’d hire an up-and-coming OC or DC from an established program. I’d make sure they receive a significant salary increase compared to their current role, but structure the contract with a minimal buyout — enough to protect the program’s flexibility and allow for firing him in the future.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

And you're essentially asking my favorite question: If you want to fire your coach, who can you get who (1) will represent a clear upgrade, and (2) will realistically come?

Everybody wants to vent their spleen by yelling, "fahr heeuz sorry carcass!" Ok, fine. Who's your replacement? And "Anybody" isn't an eligible response. You need to name a real person.

Often, the answer is a blank stare followed by an untrue declaration that, "We're [fill in school]....we can get anybody we want!"

Be careful who you fire. You now have to hire somebody and have just proven that your hiring skills are suspect at best. Ask Scott Woodward how that works.

This isn't the best time to be looking for a coach. LSU is competing with Florida, Penn State and Arkansas for head coaches. With how these agents are, especially Jimmy Sexton, they will leverage the school as much as they can trying to get the most lucrative contracts possible. With three other schools looking for head coaches, a bidding war could easily happen and you end up vastly overpaying. LSU probably should have kept BK one more year and then unloaded him.

 

[4Q Basket Case]

Personally, in an ideal world, I’d hire an up-and-coming OC or DC from an established program. I’d make sure they receive a significant salary increase compared to their current role, but structure the contract with a minimal buyout — enough to protect the program’s flexibility and allow for firing him in the future.

Hold on there….you’re injecting logic into the discussion.

This isn't the best time to be looking for a coach. LSU is competing with Florida, Penn State and Arkansas for head coaches. With how these agents are, especially Jimmy Sexton, they will leverage the school as much as they can trying to get the most lucrative contracts possible. With three other schools looking for head coaches, a bidding war could easily happen and you end up vastly overpaying. LSU probably should have kept BK one more year and then unloaded him.

Agreed. And there will be more to come. Either or both of the barn and FSU are likely to come open. That doesn’t include coaches (Sark?) leaving voluntarily.

A horrible year to be looking for a new coach.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Hold on there….you’re injecting logic into the discussion.



Agreed. And there will be more to come. Either or both of the barn and FSU are likely to come open. That doesn’t include coaches (Sark?) leaving voluntarily.

A horrible year to be looking for a new coach.

I'm just thankful we got our coaching change out of the way two years ago and not during this time. Could you imagine having to search for a coach with Penn St, Arkansas, Florida, Auburn (likely), and FSU (likely) jobs all open? It would be an AD's disaster to have to get into that market. You KNOW there will be overpaying going on in all of these cases.