College Football Coordinator Carousel: A Deep Dive into the 2026 Hiring Cycle

As the college football offseason gains momentum, the focus often centers on head coaching changes. However, a significant shift in power and strategy occurs one level down the staff chart: the coordinator positions. For the 2026 season, a remarkable 63 latest offensive and defensive coordinators have been hired across Power Four programs, surpassing the 17 new head coaches. This extensive turnover signals a period of strategic recalibration for many teams, with 17 programs completely overhauling both sides of the ball.

The Significance of Coordinator Hires

These coordinator hires are often where the most meaningful philosophical shifts take place, impacting everything from offensive tempo and play-calling to defensive structure and aggression. A successful hire can rapidly elevate a team’s trajectory, while a misstep can derail an entire season. The 2026 cycle features a blend of familiar names returning to prominent roles and fresh faces aiming to develop their mark.

Power Four Coordinator Changes: Conference Breakdown

ACC

• Boston College: Ted Roof was named defensive coordinator. CBS Sports reports Roof previously served as UCF’s defensive coordinator/linebackers coach in 2024 and has held 11 different defensive coordinator jobs since 2008.
• California: Jordan Somerville will lead the offense, while Michael Hutchings takes the reins on defense. New coach Tosh Lupoi brought in both assistants from the NFL, with Somerville coming from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Hutchings from the Minnesota Vikings. ESPN details these hires.
• Clemson: Dabo Swinney brought back a familiar face in Chad Morris as offensive coordinator. CBS Sports notes Morris previously held the same role at Clemson from 2011-2014.
• Florida State: Tim Harris Jr. Was elevated to offensive coordinator following the retirement of Gus Malzahn. CBS Sports reports Harris helped lead a strong receiving corps in 2025.
• Georgia Tech: George Godsey returns to college football as offensive coordinator after a successful NFL career. CBS Sports highlights his previous experience as a quarterback at Georgia Tech.
• Louisville: Steve Ellis and Mark Ivey were promoted to co-defensive coordinators. CBS Sports details their existing roles within the program.
• North Carolina: Bobby Petrino joins Bill Belichick’s staff as offensive coordinator. CBS Sports emphasizes Petrino’s experience with tempo-driven offenses.
• Pittsburgh: Cory Sanders was promoted to defensive coordinator following the retirement of Randy Bates. CBS Sports notes Sanders will continue the system established by Bates.
• Stanford: Terry Heffernan will coordinate the offense, and Kris Richard will lead the defense. CBS Sports details Richard’s experience with the Seattle Seahawks’ “Legion of Boom.”
• Syracuse: Vince Kehres joins Syracuse as defensive coordinator, bringing a successful track record from Toledo. CBS Sports points out Kehres’ success at the FCS level.
• Virginia Tech: A unique situation sees Brent Pry remaining as the defensive coordinator under new head coach James Franklin. Ty Howle will run the offense. CBS Sports highlights the unusual dynamic of a head coach transitioning to a coordinator role.

Large 12

• BYU: Kelly Poppinga was elevated to defensive coordinator. ESPN reports this move came amid uncertainty surrounding Kalani Sitake’s future.
• Baylor: Joe Klanderman takes over as defensive coordinator, bringing experience from Kansas State. ESPN notes his success in developing NFL draft picks.
• Cincinnati: Nic Cardwell and Pete Thomas will serve as co-offensive coordinators, with Nate Woody leading the defense. CBS Sports details these promotions by Scott Satterfield.
• Colorado: Brennan Marion will lead the offense, and Chris Marve will coordinate the defense. CBS Sports highlights Deion Sanders’ focus on establishing stability.
• Iowa State: Tyler Roehl returns as offensive coordinator, and Jesse Bobbit will lead the defense. CBS Sports notes these hires by new coach Jimmy Rogers.
• Kansas: Andy Kotelnicki returns as offensive coordinator. CBS Sports details his previous success with the Jayhawks.
• Kansas State: Sean Gleeson will coordinate the offense, and Jordan Peterson will lead the defense. CBS Sports reports Collin Klein’s staff additions.
• Oklahoma State: Sean Brophy will coordinate the offense, and Skyler Cassity will lead the defense. CBS Sports highlights Eric Morris bringing familiar pieces from North Texas.
• TCU: Gordon Sammis will coordinate the offense. CBS Sports details his experience rebuilding offenses.

Big Ten

• Illinois: Bobby Hauck was hired as defensive coordinator. CBS Sports notes his extensive coaching experience.
• Maryland: Clint Trickett will coordinate the offense. CBS Sports highlights his success at Jacksonville State.
• Michigan: Jason Beck will coordinate the offense, and Jay Hill will lead the defense. CBS Sports emphasizes Kyle Whittingham’s high-profile hires.
• Michigan State: Nick Sheridan will coordinate the offense. CBS Sports details his experience with Alabama.
• Nebraska: Rob Aurich will coordinate the defense. CBS Sports notes his success at San Diego State.
• Northwestern: Chip Kelly was hired as offensive coordinator. CBS Sports describes this as an unexpected move.
• Ohio State: Arthur Smith will coordinate the offense. CBS Sports highlights his NFL experience.
• Oregon: Drew Mehringer will coordinate the offense, and Chris Hampton will lead the defense. CBS Sports details the changes following the departures of Tosh Lupoi and Will Stein.
• Penn State: Taylor Mouser will coordinate the offense, and D’Anton Lynn will lead the defense. CBS Sports notes these hires by new coach Matt Campbell.
• Rutgers: Travis Johansen was hired as defensive coordinator. CBS Sports details his transition from FCS coaching.
• UCLA: John David Baker will coordinate the offense, and Colin Hitschler will lead the defense. CBS Sports highlights the hires by Bob Chesney.
• USC: Gary Patterson will coordinate the defense. CBS Sports emphasizes Patterson’s return to college football.

SEC

• Arkansas: Tim Cramsey will coordinate the offense, and Ron Roberts will lead the defense. CBS Sports details these hires by Ryan Silverfield.
• Auburn: Joel Gordon will coordinate the offense. CBS Sports highlights his experience rebuilding offenses.
• Florida: Buster Faulkner will coordinate the offense, and Brad White will lead the defense. CBS Sports details these hires by Jon Sumrall.
• Kentucky: Joe Sloan will coordinate the offense, and Jay Bateman will lead the defense. CBS Sports highlights Will Stein’s staff additions.
• LSU: Charlie Weis Jr. Will coordinate the offense. CBS Sports notes his long-standing relationship with Lane Kiffin.
• Missouri: Chip Lindsey will coordinate the offense. CBS Sports details his experience developing quarterbacks.
• Ole Miss: John David Baker will coordinate the offense. CBS Sports highlights his previous stint with the Rebels.
• South Carolina: Kendal Briles will coordinate the offense. CBS Sports details his success with high-powered offenses.
• Tennessee: Jim Knowles will coordinate the defense. CBS Sports highlights his success at Ohio State.
• Texas A&M: Holmon Wiggins will coordinate the offense, and Lyle Hemphill will lead the defense. CBS Sports details these hires.
• Texas: Will Muschamp will coordinate the defense. CBS Sports highlights his previous success with the Longhorns.

The 2026 coordinator carousel demonstrates a clear trend toward experienced play-callers and familiar faces in new roles. As teams prepare for the upcoming season, the success of these hires will be crucial in determining their competitive trajectory.