The Strange Double Life of Collin Klein
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THE PHONE BUZZED adn the voice on the other end sounded characteristically upbeat and cheerful, but also a bit worn down.
Collin Klein was a week away from calling offensive plays for Kansas State head coach, the ultimate dream job for a Wildcats legend who was the quarterback for the K-State team that won the Big 12 championship and reached the Fiesta bowl in 2012, while becoming a heisman Trophy finalist. When Klein left Kansas State’s campus in late 2023 after seven seasons as an assistant, he was expected to return as head coach. Now, he had that job, at just 36 years old, but couldn’t get back because he had to finish his other gig, which merely required him to coach in the biggest game of his career.
“It’s just very strange and different,” Klein told ESPN. “The difference of hats is pretty stark. One day, you’re doing one job.The next day, you go to the next one. You’re like, ‘Wait a minute. Is this even real?'”
The Oregon ducks are preparing for a College Football Playoff semifinal against Texas Tech, but their coaching staff has been navigating a uniquely chaotic period. Offensive coordinator Will Stein and defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi have been juggling duties with their new head coaching roles at USF and Cal,respectively,while still guiding the Ducks through the postseason.
Stein, hired by USF on Dec. 3,continued to call plays for Oregon through their first-round playoff win against James Madison. However, Ohio State coach Ryan Day announced he will reclaim playcalling duties for the Buckeyes’ CFP quarterfinal against Miami, allowing Stein to focus on coaching wide receivers and his responsibilities at USF.
Lupoi’s situation is equally complex. He was heavily involved in recruiting for Cal even during Oregon’s playoff preparation,including a trip to Hawaii to persuade Cal’s star quarterback to remain with the program. He officially introduced himself at Cal on Dec. 5, then promptly flew to Hawaii to continue recruiting efforts.
Both coaches have implemented strategies to manage the demands. Lupoi strictly limited communication during game-planning, placing his phone out of reach and directing his wife to contact football operations staff. He also designated Thursday nights as the sole time for coaching carousel discussions.
Even before the playoff picture came into focus, the coaching carousel was impacting Oregon’s staff. Linebackers coach Collin Klein was a candidate for multiple jobs, and after a especially challenging performance in a loss to Miami – allowing three points, three turnovers, and seven sacks – he quickly updated his X profile to reflect his new position at Kansas State.
“It’s such a strange calendar, and the timing is brutal,” Day said.”But he’s handled it great, as you can imagine.it’s a lot on his plate. It’s a lot to manage.”
## Ohio State’s Playcalling Shift Echoes a Nick Saban Trend: Balancing Present and Future
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day’s decision to take over playcalling duties for the postseason, while retaining Brian Hartline on staff, isn’t new. It mirrors a strategy frequently employed by Nick Saban at Alabama, where offensive coordinators frequently enough juggled immediate championship pursuits with future head coaching aspirations.
Saban’s program became a launching pad for offensive minds. Lane Kiffin arrived in 2014, followed by steve Sarkisian in 2017, both eventually leaving for head coaching roles – Kiffin to Ole Miss and Sarkisian to Maryland) in 2018. Offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian landed the Texas job in early 2021, days before the Tide played for the national championship.
Some double-duty situations panned out.Smart, Pruitt and Sarkisian all helped Alabama to national titles before moving on. But it didn’t always go well. After Alabama’s offense struggled in a CFP semifinal win over Washington in late 2016, Saban dismissed Kiffin and appointed Sarkisian, then an alabama analyst, as playcaller for the national title game. The offense performed better,but Alabama lost 35-31 to Clemson in a memorable championship clash.
Ohio state could be employing a similar strategy while keeping Hartline on staff. Three days after South Florida announced Hartline as its head coach, Ohio State recorded season lows for points (10) and rushing yards (58) in a loss to Indiana in the Big Ten championship game.
“Ultimately, it will be my decision of what calls go into the game,” Day said. “Kind of wanted to take that off of Brian’s plate, as we head into the playoffs, because he has so much going on.”
Locskley joined Alabama’s staff in 2016 and had witnessed the Kiffin situation and what followed with Pruitt during the 2017-18 CFP. Maryland hired him Dec.4, 2018.
“… I made the conscientious decision that I was going to work for the Bama job more than I was going to worry about the Maryland job until I got [there],” Locksley told ESPN.
Maryland signed only two recruits in the early period, and Locksley hired just one or two assistants to be with his new program. He deferred the bulk of staff and roster construction until after the national championship game against Clemson on Jan.7, 2019.
Locksley’s thought was that going all-in on the national championship would not only help Alabama but also Maryland in the long run.
“I don’t think there’s a perfect way to do it, o“`html
The Relentless College Football Coaching carousel
The college football coaching carousel is a yearly tradition, a period of intense activity where programs seek new leadership and coordinators shuffle between institutions. This process, often fueled by performance pressures, lucrative contracts, and the ever-changing landscape of college athletics, significantly impacts team dynamics and future success. Understanding the forces driving this carousel, recent trends, and potential future shifts is crucial for fans, analysts, and even the coaches themselves.
What Drives the Carousel?
Several key factors contribute to the constant movement of coaches in college football:
- performance Expectations: The pressure to win is immense. Programs with disappointing seasons are quick to seek new leadership,hoping for a turnaround.
- Financial Incentives: Coaching salaries have skyrocketed, creating a competitive market where schools are willing to pay top dollar for proven winners. Buyout clauses also play a critically important role, frequently enough costing institutions millions.
- Recruiting: A coach’s ability to attract top recruits is paramount. A decline in recruiting success can quickly led to a coaching change.
- Conference Realignment: Shifts in conference structures, like the recent changes in the Pac-12 and the expansion of the Big Ten, create instability and opportunities for new hires.
- Portal Era: The transfer portal has increased player movement, putting more pressure on coaches to manage roster turnover and adapt quickly.
Recent Trends in Coaching Changes
The 2023-2024 coaching cycle, and projections into 2025, have revealed some notable trends:
- Offensive Coordinators in Demand: Successful offensive coordinators are consistently targeted for head coaching positions. This reflects the emphasis on high-scoring offenses in the modern game.For example, Michigan offensive coordinator Chip lindsey’s move to Missouri exemplifies this trend.
- Emphasis on Program Fit: Schools are increasingly focusing on finding coaches who align with the university’s academic culture and values, not just football prowess.
- The Rise of Group of Five Coaches: Successful coaches from smaller conferences are gaining attention and landing jobs at Power Five programs. Memphis‘ Ryan Silverfield, previously at Arkansas, is a recent example.
- Quick Hooks: The patience for coaches to build programs seems to be diminishing. Coaches are frequently enough given shorter leashes than in the past.
Impact on Teams and Programs
The coaching carousel has a ripple effect throughout a program:
“A coaching change disrupts the entire team dynamic.Players must adjust to new schemes, philosophies, and leadership styles. Recruiting efforts are also immediately impacted, as commitments can be shaken and new targets emerge.”
– ESPN College Football Analyst, Kirk Herbstreit
Specifically, the impact includes:
- Player Retention: Players may choose to transfer if they don’t align with the new coach’s vision.
- Recruiting Challenges: A coaching change can create uncertainty for recruits, potentially leading them to reconsider their commitments.
- scheme Adjustments: New coaches bring their own offensive and defensive schemes, requiring players to learn new techniques and strategies.
- Cultural Shifts: Each coach brings a unique culture and leadership style, which can significantly alter the team’s atmosphere.
Looking Ahead: The Future of the Carousel
The coaching carousel is highly likely to become even more frenetic in the years to come. The expansion of the College Football Playoff
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