So, you thought this would be an average coaching carousel compared to previous years?
asserted
this → think → years
If history is any indication, it only takes one domino to fall in college football for the chaos to begin.
asserted
chaos → take → football
After Maryland decided to fire coach Mike Locksley, we now have three openings in college football (NC State, Baylor) before a weekend slate of games that could trigger further discussions on a number of coaches that are teetering on the edge.
uncertain
that → decide → edge
But, as we've all seen over the past year, the financial aspect of making moves in this current climate of college athletics will also play a pivotal role in what this carousel looks like as we head down the final stretch of the regular season.
asserted
we → see → season
Also, the situation in Tallahassee continues to be in flux, with the Florida State administration pleading with fans to show up for the student-athletes, with no mention of head coach Mike Norvell in their statement earlier this week.
asserted
administration → continue → statement
There are a number of folks around the Seminoles program that would prefer not paying a reported $50 million buyout, and potentially allocating those funds towards piecing a competitive roster for the 2027 season.
asserted
that → be → season
Here are two of the more intriguing situations currently taking place across college football, that could lead to a number of dominos falling.
uncertain
number → take → dominos
So, let's take a look at where we are, after speaking with multiple sources across the country.
asserted
we → let → country
If Lincoln Riley loses to Ohio State this weekend, the temperature will only rise
After losing to Wisconsin last weekend, with a disastrous effort on offense, folks around the USC program are starting to wonder what the future holds for the Trojans head coach that made it clear this week he wants to remain in Los Angeles.
asserted
he → lose → Angeles
Well sure, a lot of coaches would love to keep their jobs at schools that are described as 'premier' in the sport.
asserted
that → love → sport
For Lincoln Riley, the ongoing chatter among those within the industry is that if USC were to lose to a backup quarterback from Ohio State on Saturday, the situation could turn very quick.
uncertain
situation → lose → Saturday
Remember, athletic director Jen Cohen did not hire Lincoln.
asserted
Cohen → remember → Lincoln
As we previously reported on this matter, there have already been questions as to whether Riley could find himself an escape hatch that opens back up in his home state of Texas.
uncertain
that → report → Texas
We all know he's a competitor, but leaving USC for a return to the Big 12 at a school like Baylor might not be the worst thing for a head coach who is hanging on by a thread at his current employer.
uncertain
who → know → employer
Also, what about a school like TCU, if they were to move on from Sonny Dykes?
asserted
they → move → Dykes
The reported $70 million buyout for Lincoln Riley could be mitigated if he were to take another job within college football, so that number could actually drop, though it would be interesting to see by how much.
uncertain
it → report → much
Yes, the USC head coach can say all of the right things about how much he loves his job, and that he's had opportunities to leave Los Angeles in the past.
asserted
he → say → past
But, there is a real possibility that if USC were to lose on Saturday night, another two losses could be on the way against Indiana and UCLA.
uncertain
losses → be → Indiana
And, pay attention to what happens if Lincoln were to be fired in regard to who could potentially be a top candidate.
uncertain
who → pay → regard
There are a lot of folks wondering if Kalen DeBoer would enjoy getting the band back together with his former athletic director, Jen Cohen at USC.
asserted
DeBoer → be → USC
It's a mess at Colorado for the athletic department regarding Deion Sanders
OK, the honeymoon period ended two years ago for Coach Prime in Boulder.
asserted
period → regard → Boulder
Remember when Deion Sanders dared the media to write the truth about what was taking place at Colorado?
asserted
what → remember → Colorado
Yea, I don't imagine he thought that one through.
asserted
he → imagine → one
It was the 2024 season that gave Colorado fans something to savor, thanks in large part to Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders, along with a group of teammates who bought into what Coach Prime was instilling within Boulder.
asserted
Prime → give → Boulder
Then came a 3-9 season in 2025, followed by a squad that is currently 2-5 after additional collapses over the past few weeks.
asserted
that → come → weeks
Deion has spent more time getting into arguments with local media over the last two seasons than actually promoting his program.
asserted
Deion → spend → program
He thought things would go a different way after Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter left, with recruits and portal stars wanting to flock towards Colorado.
asserted
recruits → think → Colorado
What we've seen since has been abysmal.
asserted
seen → see → What
Would athletic director Fernando Lovo be able to garner enough support to justify paying Deion Sanders somewhere around $25 million to go away?
asserted
Lovo → garner → million
We might find that part out sooner rather than later, especially if the Buffaloes were to lose again this weekend to Kansas State.
uncertain
Buffaloes → find → State
The celebrities are no longer showing up and the patience has run out in Boulder.
asserted
patience → show → Boulder
But, would Deion leave on his own, or force Colorado to pay his buyout while knowing it could become contentious?
uncertain
it → leave → buyout
There are a number of jobs around college football that could be forced open over the next month, as we enter a potential wild month of November and the end of the regular season.
uncertain
we → be → season
Let me know what you think.
asserted
you → let → what
The Aporia
