Coaching carousel watch: Dillingham, Heupel among potential movers
The 2026 college football coaching carousel could be active, with several sitting head coaches drawing interest. Arizona State's Kenny Dillingham and Tennessee's Josh Heupel are mentioned as possible candidates for other jobs. Big openings might arise from coaches leaving for the NFL or from underperforming programs making changes.
The 2025 cycle saw major upheaval, with firings at Florida, LSU, Penn State, and Michigan reshaping the landscape. That turbulence set a precedent for 2026, where athletic directors may act aggressively if programs underperform. Several sitting coaches have already been linked to potential openings, including Arizona State's Kenny Dillingham, who was previously considered for Michigan, and Tennessee's Josh Heupel, whose SEC tenure could hinge on avoiding another mediocre season.
Beyond those two, Missouri's Eli Drinkwitz, Washington's Jedd Fisch, and Wake Forest's Jake Dickert are drawing attention from search committees. Drinkwitz boasts a 29-10 record over three SEC seasons, while Fisch rebuilt Arizona before taking Washington to 9-4. Dickert, who stabilized Washington State and then went 9-4 at Wake Forest, represents a rising option. Meanwhile, NFL interest in Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman or Ohio State's Ryan Day could trigger additional openings.
This coaching speculation could ripple across college athletics, affecting recruiting cycles, player transfers, and institutional stability. Programs facing potential turnover may see recruiting commitments waver, while fans and alumni could experience heightened uncertainty about their teams' direction. The NFL's pull on top college coaches may also reshape competitive balance, as powerhouse programs scramble for replacements while mid-tier schools gain opportunities to elevate their standing.