2025-2026 NCAA FBS Coaching Changes: Black Coaches Get Booted Early and Often
Due to the number of early firings among NCAA FBS coaches—especially considering the dismissal of the most successful and longest-tenured Black coach, James Franklin at Penn State—I have decided to start tracking NCAA FBS coaches much earlier than usual, since I first began keeping track in the 2012-2013 season. We also maintain a running list of current FBS Black head coaches on this site. You can view the list here: Current list of NCAA FBS Black Head Coaches.
The 2025 College Football coaching carousel current list isn’t just spinning; it’s accelerating at a startling rate, and the impact on diversity in the coaching ranks is immediately apparent. The trend began quietly in the spring with Kent State dismissing Kenni Burns (who is African American) and has intensified rapidly into the fall.
Say what you will, but already in 2025, at least 11 FBS coaches have been fired, with 4 of the dismissals involving African American coaches: Kenni Burns (Kent State), DeShaun Foster (UCLA), James Franklin (Penn State), and Jay Norvell (Colorado State).
Declining Diversity in FBS Coaching Ranks
This sudden loss of representation is stark. It brings the current total of Black FBS head coaches down to just 12 out of 136 programs. The four firings account for a significant portion of the entire population, dropping the representation percentage to under 10% of all FBS head coaches. This is highly concerning, especially considering that there are several other Black coaches with less-than-stellar records this season who are likely to be let go as well.
The declining diversity in the NCAA head coaching ranks is unacceptable, especially given the high number of Black players on FBS rosters (around 46%). It simply is not a good look! The short leash and intense pressure applied to these coaches—regardless of whether they are veterans like Franklin, fresh Power 4 hires like Foster, or faced unique rebuilding challenges like Burns—is a pattern that cannot be ignored.
Yes, I understand that diversity is under attack in America. However, the pursuit of true diversity is what distinguishes this nation from others and makes it a beacon to the world. It is our strength, not our weakness, as those who oppose it would like us to believe. I cannot emphasize enough that the attempts to turn back the clock on diversity are a grave mistake for this country’s future.
May our better natures prevail in this pivotal time in our history.
Here is the running list of the 2025-2026 NCAA FBS Coaching Changes as of October 19, 2025:
2025-2026 NCAA FBS Head Coaching Changes
| School | Conference | Old Coach | Reason For Move | Date Fired/Resigned | New Coach, Former School and Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford | ACC | Troy Taylor | Fired | 3/25/2025 | Frank Reich, former Carolina Panthers HC |
| Kent State | MAC | Kenni Burns | Fired | 4/11/2025 | Interim: Mark Carney, OC |
| UCLA | BigTen | DeShaun Foster | Fired | 9/14/2025 | Interim: Tim Skipper, SA |
| Virginia Tech | ACC | Brent Pry | Fired | 9/17/2025 | Interim: Philip Montgomery, OC |
| Oklahoma State | Big 12 | Mike Gundy | Fired | 9/23/2025 | Interim: Doug Meacham, OC |
| Arkansas | SEC | Sam Pittman | fired | 9/28/2025 | Interim: Bobby Petrino, OC |
| Penn State | Big Ten | James Franklin | Fired | 10/12/2025 | Interim: Terry Smith, AHC |
| Oregon State | Pac 12 | Trent Bray | Fired | 10/12/2025 | Interim: Robb Akey, SAHC |
| UAB | American | Trent Dilfer | Fired | 10/12/2025 | Interim: Alex Mortensen, OC |
| Florida | SEC | Billy Napier | Fired | 10/19/2025 | Interim: Billy Gonzales, WR |
| Colorado State | MWC | Jay Norvell | Fired | 10/19/2025 | Interim: Tyson Summers, DC |
