G-00J9GHP1V1

College Football Coaching Rumor Mill: Who’s Going Where in 2021?

College Football Coaching Rumor: College football is heating up and the coaching carousel is starting to spin. You just know there are going to be some big names on the move after this season. As a diehard fan, the offseason rumors and speculation are almost as exciting as the games themselves. What big-name coach will make a surprise move to a new program?

Which up-and-coming coordinator will get their first head coaching gig? The rumor mill is churning and you need to know who might be going where. Get ready for a wild ride of speculation, unnamed sources, and message board gossip. The silly season is here, so buckle up—this introduction is your first stop for the latest coaching rumors making the rounds. Let’s dive in and see who might be switching sidelines in 2021.

Is Mike Price Still Coaching? Catching Up With the Former Alabama Coach

College Football Coaching Rumor Mill
College Football Coaching Rumor Mill: Who's Going Where in 2021? 4

Is Mike Price still coaching? It’s hard to believe, but the former Alabama coach is still on the sidelines. After his short-lived stint with the Crimson Tide back in 2002, Price headed west, taking the helm at UTEP. He coached the Miners for 13 seasons before “retiring” in 2017.

Turns out retirement didn’t suit Price. He returned as head coach at UTEP in 2019 and led the team to a 1-11 record in his first season back. While the wins haven’t come as frequently as Price would like, the 75-year-old coach remains upbeat. “I’m having more fun now than I’ve had in years,” Price said.

Price’s coaching career spans five decades and includes stops at Weber State, Washington State, and UTEP (twice). Though his time at Alabama was cut short, he still led the Miners to three bowl games and earned two Conference USA Coach of the Year awards. Love him or hate him, you have to respect Price’s passion and dedication to coaching college football.

What’s Next for Price?

Price’s current UTEP contract runs through 2021, but don’t expect the veteran coach to ride off into the sunset just yet. “I don’t have any hobbies, so I don’t know what I’d do if I retire,” Price said. As long as his health holds up and UTEP will have him, Price plans to continue coaching. After so many years pacing the sidelines, Mike Price just isn’t ready to call it quits. College football would certainly miss his enthusiasm and quick wit. Here’s hoping we get a few more entertaining seasons from the dean of Conference USA coaches.

College Football Coaching Rumor

Tommy Rees Salary and Contract Details as Alabama’s New OC

There’s been a lot of rumors swirling about Tommy Rees leaving Notre Dame to become Alabama’s new offensive coordinator. If the reports are true, this would be a big move for the 28-year-old Rees. As ND’s current quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator, Rees is making $375,000 this year. According to industry insiders, Rees could make $500,000-$700,000 as Alabama’s OC.

Rees would be following in the footsteps of Steve Sarkisian, who left Alabama earlier this month to become the head coach of the Houston Texans. Rees is seen as an up-and-coming young coach who relates well to players. He had a successful college career as Notre Dame’s starting quarterback from 2010-2013.

  • Pros of the move: Significant pay raise and chance to coach at a football powerhouse. Opportunity to work under Nick Saban, one of the greatest college coaches of all time. Potential to advance his career more quickly.
  • Cons of the move: Leaving his alma mater where he has strong ties. Facing huge expectations at a program that demands excellence. Potential culture clash moving from Notre Dame to Alabama.

If Rees decides to make the jump to Alabama, expect him to sign a multi-year contract. His salary would likely start in the $500,000 range with incentives that could increase it to $700,000 or more per year. The contract would also likely have a hefty buyout clause, meaning Rees would owe Alabama a large sum of money if he left for another job within the first couple of years.

Rees has a big decision ahead of him. Will the lure of coaching at Alabama and a sizable pay raise be enough for him to leave Notre Dame? The college football world awaits his next move.

What Happened With Dennis Franchione’s Sudden Exit From Alabama?

What really happened with Dennis Franchione’s sudden exit from Alabama in 2007? At the time, rumors were flying about recruiting violations and NCAA investigations. However, the truth seems to be a little more complex.

Franchione had been at Alabama for five seasons, but his time there was tumultuous. After initial success and an SEC West title in 2002, the Crimson Tide went into a tailspin. Three straight losing seasons and blowout losses to rivals Auburn and LSU caused fans to turn on Franchione. The coach was under intense scrutiny and pressure.

In the middle of the 2007 season, Franchione abruptly resigned. While some suspected he was forced out due to pending NCAA penalties, that does not appear to be the case. The likely reasons for Franchione’s departure were:

  • Poor performance and losing records. Franchione’s teams were just 17-17 over his last three seasons. Alabama expects excellence, and he wasn’t delivering.
  • Fan unrest. Critics were vocal, and attendance and support were dropping. The program seemed to be in disarray.
  • Recruiting struggles. Franchione was having trouble attracting top talent, especially in-state recruits that traditionally went to Alabama. This did not bode well for the future.
  • A tempting offer. Franchione left abruptly to take a lucrative job at Texas A&M. The Aggies offered him a fresh start, more money, and lower expectations. For a coach on the hot seat, this was appealing.

While minor NCAA violations may have added pressure, they do not seem to be the primary driver of Franchione’s exit. At the end of the day, his struggles and failure to return Alabama to glory, combined with a good opportunity elsewhere, likely led Franchione to cut ties with the Crimson Tide prematurely. Alabama wanted a championship coach; Franchione proved not to be the man for that job. His sudden departure, though disruptive, gave the program a chance to hit the reset button.

Which Big Name Coaches Are Rumored to Be on the Hot Seat This Season?

College Football Coaching Rumor Mill
College Football Coaching Rumor Mill: Who's Going Where in 2021? 5

Several big name coaches are already rumored to be on the hot seat headed into the 2021 college football season. Their teams didn’t live up to expectations last year, and another mediocre showing could mean the end of their tenure.

Jim Harbaugh, Michigan

The Wolverines haven’t beaten their rivals Ohio State since 2011. Harbaugh was supposed to restore Michigan to glory, but four seasons in, he has only one 10-win campaign and no division titles to show for it. The 2021 schedule is brutal, including an opener against Washington, and Michigan will need to finally get over the hump for Harbaugh to keep his job.

Ed Orgeron, LSU

Coach O led LSU to a national title in 2019 but stumbled to a 5-5 finish in 2020. His recruiting has slipped, and offensive questions abound. Orgeron has two years left on his deal, but in the SEC, that means little. The Tigers have a challenging slate, including at UCLA, vs Florida and at Alabama. Orgeron needs a strong showing to avoid the hot seat.

Clay Helton, USC

Helton has been on thin ice for years and was thought to have been fired last season before a late surge. The Trojans have underachieved given their talent and resources. New athletic director Mike Bohn didn’t hire Helton and may want his own coach if USC fails to compete for the Pac-12 title again. The Trojans have the skill players for a special season, so the pressure is on Helton.

Other coaches to watch include Tom Herman at Texas, Scott Frost at Nebraska and Jeremy Pruitt at Tennessee. The coaching carousel looks to be active again this offseason, and these big name coaches will need to start winning now to avoid being part of it. College football is a cutthroat business, and there are no tenured professors on the sidelines. 2021 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for programs looking to separate from their under fire head coaches.

Read More: The Gates Millennium Scholarship: How Many Apply and How Rare Is a Win?

Up-and-Coming Assistant Coaches to Keep an Eye on for Future Head Coach Jobs

Several up-and-coming assistant coaches are poised to land head coaching jobs in the coming years. Keep an eye on these rising stars.

Ryan Walters, Defensive Coordinator, Missouri

College Football Coaching Rumor Mill
College Football Coaching Rumor Mill: Who's Going Where in 2021? 6

Walters is a young, energetic coach known for quickly turning around defenses. In 2020, he transformed Missouri’s defense into one of the best in the SEC. The Tigers went from 113th in total defense in 2019 to 16th in 2020 under Walters’ leadership. At just 33 years old, Walters is a coaching wunderkind who will likely get a shot at a head coaching job soon.

Marcus Arroyo, Offensive Coordinator, UNLV

Arroyo is an innovative offensive mind who has helped revolutionize UNLV’s offense. In 2020, the Rebels had their best offensive season in years, averaging 33 points and 460 yards per game. Arroyo was previously the offensive coordinator at Oregon, helping turn Justin Herbert into an NFL prospect. Still only 40 years old, Arroyo will probably land a head coaching opportunity in the next couple of years.

Travis Williams, Defensive Coordinator, UCF

Williams has quickly risen through the coaching ranks and established himself as one of the top young defensive coordinators in the country. Since being promoted to DC at UCF in 2019, Williams has led stingy defenses that rank near the top of the AAC. Williams is known as an excellent recruiter and talent developer. At just 37 years old, he is likely on the short list for head coaching jobs, especially at mid-major programs.

Brian Hartline, Wide Receivers Coach, Ohio State

Hartline is a fast-rising assistant coach and ace recruiter for the Buckeyes. Though he currently only coaches wide receivers, Hartline is considered a potential offensive coordinator or head coach candidate. He is a masterful recruiter, helping OSU land elite receiver prospects. The former Buckeye wide receiver also has close ties to the program. At 34 years old, Hartline could get a shot at a head coaching job, likely starting at a MAC school, in the next few years.

Conclusion

So there you have it, all the rumblings and rumors currently swirling in the college football coaching carousel. No doubt the landscape will continue to shift over the coming weeks as the season winds down and more jobs open up or coaches declare their intentions to move on.

As fans, all we can do is speculate and argue over who our team should hire or worry that our coach is looking to jump ship. The drama and uncertainty are part of what make the offseason almost as entertaining as the games themselves. Before you know it, the coaching moves will start happening fast and furious. So buckle up, college football fans, it’s going to be a wild ride! The silly season is here.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top