Amidst the tumultuous whirlwind of the college football coaching carousel for the 2023-24 season, the gears shifted into overdrive post-Week 11, setting the stage for a cascade of perplexing changes.
College football coaching carousel
The landscape of substantive coaching adjustments remains an integral part of the yearly college football offseason saga. The early signing period’s growing significance has impelled athletic directors to accelerate not only the hiring but also the firing of coaches. Remarkably, it required 11 weeks into the 2023 season for an FBS coach to face termination based on on-field performance, a rarity in recent memory.
The axe fell for Jimbo Fisher (Texas A&M), Zach Arnett (Mississippi State), and Andy Avalos (Boise State), their coaching journeys abruptly halted after Week 11 games. Notably, Fisher and Avalos clinched victories in their final contests, showcasing dominance on the field. Curiously, their destinies were sealed even before the kickoff, adding a layer of mystique to the coaching carousel narrative.
Additionally, two coaching vacancies emerged due to dismissals for cause: Mel Tucker at Michigan State and Pat Fitzgerald at Northwestern. Another gap was created by the retirement of Brady Hoke at San Diego State.
As this intricate process unfolds, the coaching carousel continues its enigmatic spin. The impending grades, evaluating these coaching changes, will be unveiled as new coaches step in to fill these voids.
College football coaching carousel
- Team Logo Jimbo Fisher Fisher, with a six-season record of 45-25, was relieved of his duties with the Aggies. He’s entitled to over $77 million, to be disbursed through 2021.
- Team Logo Mel Tucker (cause) Tucker, amid allegations of sexual harassment, was fired in September, concluding his four-season tenure with the Spartans at 20-14.
- Team Logo Zach Arnett Arnett, after a 5-6 record with the Bulldogs in his inaugural full season, succeeding the late Mike Leach, faced termination.
- Team Logo Pat Fitzgerald (cause) Fitzgerald’s dismissal followed an investigation revealing a culture of hazing within the program. He led the Wildcats for 17 seasons, amassing a 110-101 record.
- Team Logo Andy Avalos Avalos was released after 10 games in the 2023 season, departing with a 22-14 record in three seasons guiding the Broncos.
- Team Logo Brady Hoke (retired) Hoke, with a two-stint tenure at Aztecs (2009-10, 2020-23) and an overall head coaching record of 104-90, retired.
Notable retentions, extensions
- Team Logo Dan Lanning Extended Lanning secured a six-year, $45 million contract extension, anchoring him with the Ducks until the 2028 season. His impact on the program has kept the Ducks in the College Football Playoff conversation for two consecutive years.
- Team Logo Gus Malzahn Extended Malzahn’s role in steering UCF into the new Big 12 era earned him an extension. The new deal promises an average of $4 million per year for the next two seasons, escalating to an average of $5.5 million in the contract’s final two seasons. Expectations rise for him to lead the Knights into Big 12 championship contention.
- Team Logo Jeff Monken Extended Monken’s extension through 2027, with a compensation exceeding $2 million per year, is a fitting reward for reshaping the Army-Navy rivalry. The Black Knights have triumphed in five of their last seven games against their rivals.
