The silly season of hirings, firings, rumors and innuendo is upon us as we flip the page to November -- and several assistants are already on the move. As of Nov. 1, these 15 coaches occupy the hottest seats.
The biggest piece on the board is Texas A&M, where Jimbo Fisher was fired Nov. 12 after six up-and-down seasons. Changes have occurred atop the food chain at Northwestern (before the season) and Michigan State, but those were for off-the-field issues. More moves
Overall, between 500 to 600 coaches change jobs every year in the FBS. Roughly 509 coaches, including 24 head coaches, changed jobs in the 2022-23 cycle, according to 247Sports' data.
Nov. 15
Northwestern: Northwestern will remove the interim tag and name David Braun as its head coach, a source tells 247Sports. Coaches were informed of the decision Wednesday afternoon. Braun stepped in as interim head coach in July following the dismissal of Pat Fitzgerald. Northwestern is 5-5 and fighting for bowl eligibility with Purdue and Illinois remaining on the schedule. The Wildcats had won only four games combined the previous two seasons.
Nov. 14
UCLA: Chip Kelly's career might be nearing an end at UCLA. The coach's future is uncertain and UCLA power brokers are preparing to make a change as soon as next week as the school prepares to jump to the Big Ten next season, sources told 247Sports' Bruin Report Online on Tuesday. UCLA faces crosstown rival USC on Saturday at The Coliseum, so a win could complicate matters, separate sources told 247Sports.
Nov. 13
San Diego State: San Diego State head coach Brady Hoke will retire after the season, according to multiple reports. The Aztecs are 3-6 in the fourth season of Hoke's second stint as head coach with the program. He led the Aztecs to a 12-2 record in 2021. He was previously the SDSU head coach in 2009 and 2010 before leaving for Michigan, where he was 31-20 in four seasons.
Mississippi State: Mississippi State has fired Zach Arnett after only 10 games as head coach. Arnett stepped in as head coach after the death of Mike Leach in December. The Bulldogs are coming off a 51-10 loss at Texas A&M. Arnett was 4-6 as head coach. Our Mississippi State experts continue to update the Bulldogs' hot board, with Version 4.0 containing some huge updates on top candidates.
Nov. 12
Penn State: Penn State has fired offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich, reports Lions247. The Nittany Lions have been abysmal against top-5 opponents this season. Quarterback Drew Allar was 10 of 22 passing for 70 yards and one touchdown Saturday in a 24-15 loss to Michigan.
Boise State: Boise State has fired head coach Andy Avalos after nearly three seasons, per ESPN's Pete Thamel. Avalos sported a 22-14 record in Boise, which included a 10-4 year in 2022 in which he earned Mountain West Coach of the Year honors, but the totality of his tenure was below Boise State's lofty standards as a one-time Group of Five power.
Texas A&M: Texas A&M has fired Jimbo Fisher after six up-and-down seasons leading the program, reports TexAgs. Defensive line coach Elijah Robinson will serve as interim head coach. Fisher was 45-25 overall in six seasons and will be owed roughly $76.8 million, according to his contract. Here's our preliminary look at what Texas A&M's hot board might look like.
Nov. 9
Colorado: Industry insiders polled by 247Sports were confused about Deion Sanders' decision to demote offensive coordinator Sean Lewis, with one agent terming it as "baffling." Sources also believe Lewis will be a desired OC candidate this upcoming offseason but is unlikely to return to his perch as a head coach. You can read more about the latest in Boulder here.
Nov. 5
USC: USC has fired defensive coordinator Alex Grinch. The Trojans rank 121st nationally in scoring defense (34.5 points per game) and 119th nationally in total defense following a 52-42 loss to Washington. Defensive line coach Shaun Nua and inside linebackers coach Brian Odom will serve as interim co-defensive coordinators for the remainder of the season. Defensive analyst Taylor Mays will move to an on-field role to coach safeties.
Nov. 3
Colorado: Colorado has demoted offensive coordinator Sean Lewis in favor of quality control analyst Pat Shurmur, who will call plays Saturday against Oregon State, reports The Action Network. A source confirmed the report to 247Sports. Lewis is expected to signal plays on game days, meaning another coach on staff will likely have to take an off-field role.
2023-24 COACHING CAROUSEL UPDATES
Arkansas
Out: Dan Enos, offensive coordinator (fired)
Auburn
Out: Wes McGriff, defensive backs (temporarily off field due to "personal matter")
Boise State
Out: Andy Avalos, head coach (fired)
Colorado
Out: Sean Lewis, offensive coordinator (demoted in favor of analyst Pat Shurmur)
Indiana
In: Rod Carey, offensive coordinator (Indiana, interim offensive line)
Out: Walt Bell, offensive coordinator (fired)
Iowa
Out: Brian Ferentz, offensive coordinator (fired)
Mississippi State
Out: Zach Arnett, head coach (fired)
Northwestern
In: David Braun, head coach (Northwestern, interim head coach)
Penn State
Out: Mike Yurcich, offensive coordinator (fired)
San Diego State
Out: Brady Hoke, head coach (retired)
Texas A&M
Out: Jimbo Fisher, head coach (fired)
USC
Out: Alex Grinch, defensive coordinator (fired)
WHAT'S THE LATEST AT MICHIGAN? TEXAS A&M? IOWA? READ MORE FROM 247SPORTS' BRANDON MARCELLO HERE.