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College Football Recruiting, Opinion, and Analysis

Drinkwitz, Sanders, and More: 5 Coaches Who Could Get Bigger Jobs

Top 5 rising college football coaches primed for bigger jobs. See who could shake up the next coaching carousel.

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Nov 25
Nov 25

By Mike Huesmann

I’m always looking ahead at the projected next coaching carousel and that means identifying not only who is on the hot seat, but who might replace them. It’s a foolish AD (or boosters) who fire a coach without a plan. Here are five who could be in line for a bigger job and a possible school I think they’d be a fit for and might take, which will affect the choices. Similar to my recent “5 Coaches Who Could Make their Playoff Debut” I pick one from each Power Four conference and a Group of 5 coach.

ACC

Rhett Lashlee, SMU

My initial choice here was Fran Brown of Syracuse. I think he’s destined for a big job soon but considering possible openings coming available, Lashlee had to be my choice. I think there is a good chance Arkansas comes open after next season and for the Razorbacks alumni, Lashlee will be choice No. 1. SMU will spare nothing in trying to keep him. He took them to the College Football Playoff in their first season in a P4 conference. Will the call home and allure of the SEC be enough to get Lashlee to Fayetteville, Ark.? I don’t know, but he just edges Brown for me.

Big Ten

Jonathan Smith, Michigan State

Much like the SEC, this is a tough one because the Big Ten is now at the apex of college football and few of its coaches are looking to leave. Smith was fantastic at Oregon State and I believe he’ll turn around MSU, too. In 2024, his first year in East Lansing, Mich., the Spartans went 5-7, which was the best record they’d had since 2021. If he improves like I think he will, he’ll be appealing to many larger programs, especially out west. A Los Angeles native and if the Lincoln Riley era ends soon at USC, Smith could be a guy for the Trojans. And who among us thinks Riley will turn it around based on what we’ve seen?

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Big 12

Deion Sanders, Colorado

There is one scenario where this happens, and it’s possible. If Florida State struggles again in 2025 and gives Mike Norvell a pink slip, I don’t believe Sanders turns them down. He is a Seminole legend and it’s home. Now, I think Florida State improves this year, and Norvell keeps his job but it’s far from certain. The job Sanders has done at Colorado is outstanding. Going from one win to nine in two years is a remarkable turnaround, especially in a competitive conference. He can acquire as much talent as anyone, though the OL needs work. In the Big 12 I also think Lance Leipold of Kansas could be a guy here, especially if Luke Fickell doesn’t last at Wisconsin.

SEC

Eli Drinkwitz, Missouri

This was a tough one for me because in our new look college football, any SEC or Big Ten job is far more desirable than all but a handful of other jobs. That makes the decision to leave a tough one. But if anyone here were to leave for another job I feel like it has to be Drinkwitz or Shane Beamer of South Carolina. I give Drinkwitz the nod. He’s won at multiple schools and had back-to-back double-digit win seasons. That’s seriously impressive in the SEC. He has utilized the transfer portal and NIL incredibly well, which will appeal to blue blood teams. It would take a blue blood for him to leave. But don’t rule out Florida if they regress in 2025 or Notre Dame if the NFL nabs Marcus Freeman.

Group of 5

Jon Sumrall, Tulane

If any Tulane fans read my work, they probably both love and hate me. I’m always praising Sumrall but also touting him for Power Four jobs all the time. This time it’s a slam dunk. The Mark Stoops era at Kentucky is bound to end soon. Stoops has been the best coach in program history and the fanbase has treated him awfully. It also might be time for new blood and a rejuvenation. Sumrall is a Kentucky alumni and former Wildcat linebacker. I’d be shocked if he isn’t the next head coach. 

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