Top 12 College Football Coaching Jobs: LSU Leads, Auburn’s Challenge
College football’s coaching carousel feels wild this year. By late September, five Power 4 programs were already looking for new head coaches for 2026.
That number has jumped to 12, thanks to some late-offseason firings. With the House v. NCAA settlement finally in the rearview, schools are shifting their attention back to the coaching market.
This article ranks the open head-coaching jobs in college football. The focus here is on the potential for success, not just recent win-loss records.
We considered things like program upside, tradition, financial backing, and more.
Top-Tier Coaching Jobs
Table of Contents
LSU: A Premier Destination
LSU sits near the top of the list for coaching jobs in college football. The program’s won recent national championships under Les Miles and Ed Orgeron, and the tradition here is hard to match.
Louisiana’s talent pool is deep, and LSU usually has first dibs on the best local players. Even after a recent dip in player spending, they bounced back with an $18 million roster and the nation’s top transfer class.
The expectations are sky-high, though. Only the best will do, so it’s a tough but rewarding gig for any coach who wants a shot at greatness.
Penn State: A Top-15 Job
Penn State brings tradition, money, and a history of recent success to the table. The Nittany Lions reportedly paid around $45 million to move on from James Franklin, showing they’re serious about chasing the top.
Franklin modernized things, but he just couldn’t win the biggest games. Whoever steps in next will find strong support, top-notch facilities, and a real shot at success if everyone’s on the same page with revenue sharing and NIL.
High-Potential Programs
Florida: High Ceiling, Recent Struggles
Florida could be the best job on the market, considering its three national championships since 1996 and the recruiting goldmine in-state. But the Gators are hunting for their fifth coach since Urban Meyer—so, yeah, it’s been rocky.
The new football training building and extra financial backing help. Still, they need a coach who can pull the team together and make the most of all that talent.
Auburn: A History of Ups and Downs
Auburn’s had its moments, with a national title and a BCS title game appearance in the last decade or so. But lately? Not so great—they haven’t won more than six games in a season since 2019.
The fan base is loyal, the finances are solid, and there’s a shiny new football building. Competing in the SEC is always brutal, though. The next coach has to squeeze every drop out of the roster and push for bowl games, with an eye on SEC titles when things break right.
Mid-Level Opportunities
Arkansas: Tough but Promising
Arkansas is a hard job in the SEC. There’s not a ton of in-state high school talent, and money’s always a battle.
The Razorbacks have had more losing seasons than bowl trips since their 2021 high point under Sam Pittman. Still, it’s an SEC gig with passionate fans and a close-knit community. The next coach needs to rally boosters and make the most of what’s already there.
UCLA: High Ceiling, Financial Woes
UCLA offers the Big Ten stage in Southern California, which sounds awesome on paper. The reality? The Bruins haven’t won a conference title since 1998, and the program’s racked up more than $200 million in debt over the past five years.
Even so, the ceiling is high. If the next coach can recruit better and get fans and donors fired up, things could turn around.
Challenging Yet Rewarding Jobs
Oklahoma State: Recent Success, Future Uncertainty
Oklahoma State made it to the Big 12 championship game in 2021 and 2023. But the program needs to put more money into football, and leadership has been a bit shaky.
They’ve got a pipeline to Texas for talent and a Big 12 that’s winnable. The next coach should use those advantages to keep the Cowboys in the title hunt.
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Virginia Tech: A Return to Glory?
Virginia Tech fans remember the glory days—national title game in 1999, plenty of 10-win seasons under Frank Beamer. Lately, though, the program’s struggled with money and recruiting.
The next coach has to develop players better and set sights on the ACC Championship Game, which the Hokies haven’t reached since 2016.
Lower-Tier Options
Stanford: Rebuilding in a New Era
Stanford used to be a force, racking up five 10-win seasons between 2010 and 2016. Since 2018, though, they haven’t won more than four games in a year.
The new NIL and transfer portal era isn’t helping. With Andrew Luck now in the general manager seat, the next coach has to focus on development and try to get back to bowl games, even with all the hurdles.
Oregon State: Picking Up the Pieces
Oregon State won 10 games just a few seasons ago. Now, thanks to conference realignment, they’re in a weird spot.
The facilities are decent, NIL support is there, but the local talent pool is thin. The next coach will have to navigate all that and shoot for bowl games in the new-look Pac-12.
The Toughest Jobs
Kent State: The Ultimate Challenge
Kent State might just be the toughest job in the country. Since 1988, they’ve only managed four winning seasons.
It’s wild, considering the school produced legends like Nick Saban, Lou Holtz, and Gary Pinkel. Still, the Golden Flashes keep running into roadblocks when it comes to real success.
The next coach will have a steep hill to climb in the MAC. They’re up against teams with about the same resources, but those teams just win more.
For more detailed insights into these coaching opportunities, visit the original article.