The 2025 college football coaching cycle is already shaping up to be one of the most active in recent memory. As of September 23, four Power Four programs have open head coaching jobs: Stanford, UCLA, Virginia Tech, and Oklahoma State.
That number alone exceeds the total number of Power Four firings during all of last season, when only North Carolina, West Virginia, and Purdue made changes. The early pace suggests we are on the verge of a record-setting year for job turnover.
Stanford was the first to make a move, parting ways with Troy Taylor in the spring and handing the interim title to Frank Reich. UCLA dismissed DeShaun Foster just three games into the season after a 0–3 start, a decision that raised eyebrows but also showed the Bruins were unwilling to wait on results. Virginia Tech moved on from Brent Pry after a disappointing offseason and sluggish recruiting momentum. And most notably, Oklahoma State cut ties with Mike Gundy after 21 seasons, signaling the end of the longest tenure in Big 12 football and a clear desire to reset the program’s trajectory.
The scale and speed of these changes point to a shifting culture in college football. Administrators are moving faster, acting more aggressively, and setting a new standard for what counts as unacceptable. It is no longer just about win-loss records. Fan pressure, NIL dynamics, recruiting setbacks, and alignment with athletic directors all play a role in decision-making. Schools are no longer waiting until November or December. They are firing coaches in September with the goal of getting a jump on the hiring market.
Last year was viewed by many as an anomaly due to the scarcity of high-profile job openings. Now the pendulum has swung the other way. With four significant positions already available and rumors swirling around other programs, the industry is bracing for a cycle that could surpass anything seen in recent years. Stability is vanishing, and every Saturday brings new pressure.
If this trend holds, the coaching carousel will dominate headlines well before the postseason. And for programs across the Power Four landscape, staying out of the chaos might prove more difficult than expected.
