Top College Football Coaching Jobs: Oklahoma State, Virginia Tech, Stanford, UCLA
College football’s coaching carousel is spinning at an unbelievable pace this year. As of September 2025, five Power 4 programs are hunting for new head coaches for the 2026 season.
This spike in job openings comes right after a weirdly slow 2024-25 cycle, where only five Power 4 jobs changed hands. Coaching in college football is changing fast, thanks to tighter budgets and the ripple effects of the House v. NCAA settlement.
Arkansas Razorbacks: A Tough SEC Job with High Potential
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The Arkansas Razorbacks’ head coaching gig is one of the toughest in the SEC, no doubt. Their recent history? Pretty up and down—a five-year record of 29-27 and an estimated valuation of $646 million, which puts them 23rd among Power 4 schools.
Still, Arkansas has some real draw because of its SEC ties. The job isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’s not without its perks.
Challenges and Opportunities
Arkansas faces a tough road with limited in-state high school talent. It’s also tucked away from major cities and prime recruiting grounds.
The school has a reputation for underpaying both coaches and players. Their last real taste of success? A Top 25 finish in 2021 with Sam Pittman—first one since 2011.
Even so, the ceiling’s high here. Being the only Power 4 program in the state means local support is strong, almost fiercely loyal.
- Five-year record: 29-27
- Estimated valuation: $646 million
- Job grade: B
The next coach has to squeeze every bit of talent from the roster and somehow persuade boosters to open their wallets for football. Not easy, especially since the school already pours a lot into men’s basketball and baseball.
UCLA Bruins: The Illusion of Grandeur
People talk about the UCLA Bruins’ head coaching job like it’s a crown jewel, but is it really? Their five-year record sits at 30-24, with an estimated valuation of $343 million.
They haven’t quite lived up to the hype. Still, you can’t ignore the Big Ten move and that Southern California location—it’s a tempting spot for plenty of coaches.
Recruiting and Financial Challenges
UCLA hasn’t won a conference title since 1998. They haven’t even had a 10-win season in over a decade.
The Rose Bowl’s been emptier lately, and the athletic department is $200 million in the hole over the last five years. Yet, recruiting in California has a huge upside if you can tap into it.
- Five-year record: 30-24
- Estimated valuation: $343 million
- Job grade: B
The next coach needs to build a killer recruiting operation in California and get fans and donors excited again. Bowl games every year and the occasional 10-win season should be the target, but that’s easier said than done.
Oklahoma State Cowboys: A Program in Flux
The Oklahoma State Cowboys’ head coaching job is a pretty sweet opportunity in the Big 12. Their five-year record is 33-24, and they’ve got an estimated valuation of $373 million.
They played for the Big 12 championship in both 2021 and 2023. Lately, though, things have felt a bit shaky around the program.
The Path to Success
Oklahoma State has a solid recruiting pipeline to Texas. The Big 12 is winnable, which helps.
Still, they’ll need to pump more money into the program to keep up, and there’s been some instability in the school’s leadership this year.
- Five-year record: 33-24
- Estimated valuation: $373 million
- Job grade: B
The new coach has to make the most of that Texas connection and aim for the Big 12 title regularly. That’s the expectation if they want to stay near the top of the conference.
Virginia Tech Hokies: Rebuilding for the Future
Virginia Tech’s head coaching job isn’t easy, but it could be rewarding for the right person. Their five-year record is 23-31, with an estimated valuation of $455 million.
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Frank Beamer’s glory days are long gone, and the Hokies are facing a tough climb back up.
Recruiting and Budget Constraints
Virginia Tech lags behind the rest of the ACC in funding and staff. The location makes recruiting a challenge, and the athletic director’s push for a bigger budget still doesn’t have clear backing.
- Five-year record: 23-31
- Estimated valuation: $455 million
- Job grade: B
The next coach will really have to focus on developing talent and try to get the Hokies back to the ACC Championship Game. It’s been since 2016—maybe it’s time?
Stanford Cardinal: A Program in Transition
Stanford’s head coaching job? It’s honestly one of the toughest in college football right now. Their five-year record is a rough 14-39, and their estimated valuation is only $202 million.
The new NIL and transfer portal era hasn’t done them any favors. Feels like the program’s upside is more limited than ever.
Leadership and Identity Crisis
Stanford hasn’t won more than four games since 2018. The program just doesn’t have a clear identity right now.
General manager Andrew Luck, who used to play quarterback at Stanford, is now running the football program. Still, his limited experience makes people wonder where things are headed.
- Five-year record: 14-39
- Estimated valuation: $202 million
- Job grade: C+
The new head coach will need to focus on player development. Regular bowl game appearances should be the goal, but that’s no small task.
Stanford’s move to the ACC complicates things further, especially with smaller conference payouts. It’s a tough gig, no doubt.
For more detailed insights into the current state of college football’s open head-coaching jobs, visit the full article on The New York Times.