Ranking College Football's Open Head-Coaching Jobs for the 2024-25 Carousel

College football's carousel for the 2024-25 season became active in mid-November, as Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, Temple, UMass, and Ball State all fired coaches following Week 12 games. Those moves, plus Rice firing Mike Bloomgren on Oct. 27, and Kennesaw State dismissing Brian Bohannon on Nov. 10, brought the open FBS jobs count to 11, as Utah State and Fresno State are playing under interim coaches for the '24 season. Although the carousel is off to a slower start than most expected, more jobs will open in the next few weeks, as well as vacancies created by coaches moving to other jobs.

Sorting out which college football program is the best job is a source of constant debate. Each of the 134 jobs in the nation presents its share of challenges, resource concerns, recruiting territory, or just the willingness to win or commitment level from the school.

Which of the open jobs is the best in the 2024 coaching carousel? Athlon Sports takes a look at the pros, cons, recruiting, win trends, and other factors to consider for determining which open job should be the most attractive to head coaches.

(Note: This list will be updated as more jobs become available this season. Every job that opened this offseason will be included in this list - even after a hire is made.)

Ranking College Football's Open Head-Coaching Jobs for the 2024-25 Carousel

1. Fresno State

Why Fresno State is Open: Jeff Tedford resigned in July due to health concerns. Assistant Tim Skipper was promoted to the interim role for the 2024 season. 

Pros: The state of California provides strong recruiting territory and fan support is strong. Fresno State is also one of the top programs in the Mountain West. The Bulldogs have just six losing seasons since 1999 and have won at least 10 games four times since '17.

Cons: Aging facilities are a concern. Can the program continue to improve its financial resources overall?

Other Factors of Note: Fresno State is set to move to the Pac-12 in 2026.

Potential Candidates: Tim Skipper (Fresno State interim coach); Tony White (Nebraska defensive coordinator); Brent Vigen (Montana State head coach); Kirby Moore (Missouri offensive coordinator)

2. East Carolina

Why East Carolina is Open: Mike Houston was fired on Oct. 20 after a loss to Army in Week 8 dropped East Carolina's record to 3-4 this season. Houston took the program to back-to-back bowls (2021-22) but went 5-14 over the last two years to drop his overall record to 27-38.

Pros: East Carolina has a loyal and strong fanbase, averaging over 40,000 fans a game in '24. The recruiting territory is solid in the state of North Carolina, as well as surrounding areas in Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, and Virginia. Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium completed a renovation in 2019, which improved its press box and added premium seating. Funding was also recently secured for an indoor practice facility. 

Cons: It's not a major con or really a concern, but this is one of the better jobs in the American Athletic Conference. There is pressure to win right away and at a high level. The program went to eight bowl games in nine years from 2006-14 but has managed only one appearance since '15. What should the expectations be here?

Other Factors of Note: Mike Houston's annual salary was around $2.3 million. East Carolina should have the resources to make a solid hire.

Potential Candidates: Tyson Helton (Western Kentucky head coach); Kade Bell (Pitt offensive coordinator); Bill Clark (former UAB head coach); Skip Holtz (former East Carolina/Louisiana Tech head coach); Garrett Riley (Clemson offensive coordinator); Tony Gibson (NC State defensive coordinator)

3. Florida Atlantic

Why Florida Atlantic is Open: Tom Herman was fired on Nov. 18. Florida Atlantic finished 6-16 under Herman's direction, but the move came as a surprise in just his second year at the helm. Herman previously guided Texas to a 32-18 mark from 2017-20 and directed Houston to a 22-4 finish from 2015-16. Special teams coordinator Chad Lunsford will work as interim coach for the remainder of '24.

Pros: This is a job with upside. With prime recruiting territory in the state of Florida, along with a great campus location (just a few miles from the Atlantic Ocean), attracting talent to this program shouldn't be an issue. FAU Stadium is relatively new (built in 2011) and a new athletic facility opened in '21. The operating expenses for football ($15 million) and Herman's salary ($1 million) show this program has the resources to be a consistent bowl team in the AAC.

Cons: Florida Atlantic is a young program after playing its first football season in 2001. The potential is obvious, but the Owls have only played in five bowl games since '04. Both Herman and former coach Willie Taggart were able to have success at other FBS jobs but couldn't win in Boca Raton. Can the next coach help FAU reach its potential?

Other Factors of Note: Lane Kiffin went 27-13 as FAU's head coach from 2017-19. The right head coach can win here. The AAC is a stable league after Tulane, UTSA, Memphis, and South Florida turned down the Pac-12.

Potential Candidates: Brennan Marion (UNLV offensive coordinator); Charlie Weis Jr. (Ole Miss offensive coordinator); Ja'Juan Seider (Penn State RB coach); Shannon Dawson (Miami offensive coordinator); Tim Harris Jr. (UCF offensive coordinator); Todd Hartley (Georgia TE coach); Buster Faulkner (Georgia Tech offensive coordinator); James Coley (Georgia WR coach)

4. Charlotte

Why Charlotte is Open: Biff Poggi was fired on Nov. 18. Poggi was an outside the box hire prior to the 2023 season but went 6-16 over the last two years. The 49ers upgraded their roster talent through the transfer portal under Poggi and had made some progress on the field. However, it wasn't enough for Poggi to get a third season, and tight ends coach Tim Brewster will lead the team for the rest of '24.

Pros: Charlotte is a job with intriguing potential. The state of North Carolina is growing in population, and the high school ranks produce plenty of talent to build a solid class every year. This program wants to be a factor in the AAC and plans to upgrade the stadium and facilities to be a major factor in the future. Charlotte also has one of the bigger football operating budgets in the American Athletic Conference. The willingness to win is there, and the talent to build a solid program isn't far away.

Cons: Charlotte started playing football in 2013. It's a young program with little tradition and doesn't have a track record of success. Since moving to the FBS level in '15, the 49ers have only one winning season ('19).

Other Factors of Note: Poggi's firing was the fifth change among the American Athletic Conference this cycle.

Potential Candidates: Clayton White (South Carolina defensive coordinator); Tre Lamb (East Tennessee State head coach); Kade Bell (Pitt offensive coordinator); Brennan Marion (UNLV offensive coordinator); Alex Atkins (former Florida State offensive coordinator); Bill Clark (former UAB head coach)

5. Temple

Why Temple is Open: Stan Drayton was fired on Nov. 17. The Owls won in Week 12 to bring their record to 3-7 season, but that wasn't enough to save Drayton's job. Under Drayton's watch, Temple went 9-25 since '22. Also, Temple won only four games in AAC play during that span.

Pros: Potential. Although Temple has struggled to consistently record winning seasons, the program has a good base of recruiting talent to target in Philadelphia and in the state of Pennsylvania (and also New Jersey, Ohio, and Washington D.C.). The Owls have won with the right coach, including two 10-win seasons under Matt Rhule (2015-16). Drayton's salary was reportedly $1.8 million, so the program has the resources to make a quality hire. Playing at a NFL stadium has its disadvantages, but Lincoln Financial Field is a quality venue.

Cons: Philadelphia is a pro sports town, so it's hard to garner attention or pack Lincoln Financial Field on Saturdays. The program's track record shows how hard it has been to maintain success at Temple. 

Other Factors of Note: With Tulane, UTSA, Memphis, and South Florida turning down the Pac-12, the American Athletic Conference should have stability among its membership. 

Potential Candidates: Jeff Nixon (Syracuse co-offensive coordinator); Brennan Marion (UNLV offensive coordinator); Jerry Mack (Jacksonville Jaguars RB coach); Elijah Robinson (Syracuse defensive doordinator); Al Washington (Notre Dame DL coach); Scot Loeffler (Bowling Green head coach)

6. Utah State

Why Utah State is Open: Blake Anderson was fired in July after school officials determined he "violated both his employment agreement and university policy," in regards to a Title IX investigation. Defensive coordinator Nate Dreiling will work as the team's interim coach in '24.

Pros: Utah State has been a solid winner in the WAC and Mountain West in recent years, going to 11 bowl games since 2011. Also, the Aggies won the Mountain West title in '21 and posted double-digit victories in '18. A recently renovated stadium is also a plus.

Cons: This job is solid but it's also not in the top half of the Mountain West. Also, the Aggies don't have the recruiting base of Fresno State, Boise State, or San Diego State. Regardless, Utah State should be able to attract a quality group of coaching candidates if a replacement doesn't come from within the staff in '24. 

Other Factors of Note: Utah State is set to move to the Pac-12 in 2026.

Potential Candidates: Nate Dreiling (interim coach); Jay Hill (BYU defensive coordinator); Jason Eck (Idaho head coach); Brent Vigen (Montana head coach)

7. Southern Miss

Why Southern Miss is Open: Will Hall was fired on Oct. 20 after a loss to Arkansas State in Week 8 dropped Southern Miss' record to 1-6 this season. Hall guided the Golden Eagles to a 7-6 mark in '22 but was never able to build on that momentum. Southern Miss finished 3-9 last year and was largely uncompetitive in its six losses this season. 

Pros: The recruiting territory is solid within the state of Mississippi, as well as the surrounding states. The recent move to the Sun Belt should also help Southern Miss by playing more regional opponents and drawing more crowds with a winning product. The program also has a recent track record of success, recording 14 bowl trips from 1997-2011.

Cons: Resources. Hall's annual salary was reportedly around $800,000. Is that the ceiling for the next coach? Or can Southern Miss find more to fund a bigger budget and better staff? According to USA Today, the athletic budget is around $28 million. Despite the track record of success in previous years, can Southern Miss replicate that consistency in a different era of college football with limited resources?

Other Factors of Note: Reed Stringer will work as the program's interim coach for the remainder of the season.

Potential Candidates: Shannon Dawson (Miami Hurricanes offensive coordinator); Bill Clark (former UAB head coach); Pete Golding (Ole Miss defensive coordinator); Skip Holtz (former Louisiana Tech/East Carolina head coach); Patrick Surtain (Florida State defensive backs coach); Joe Craddock (Tulane offensive coordinator); Buster Faulkner (Georgia Tech offensive coordinator)

8. Rice

Why Rice is Open: Mike Bloomgren was fired on Oct. 27. Special teams coordinator Pete Alamar will work as the team's interim coach for the final five games of the '24 season. Bloomgren went 24-52 in seven years at the helm with the Owls.

Pros: Rice is a job with challenges but its location in Houston and the state of Texas provides a top-notch recruiting base. Although more work with facilities are needed, the program opened a football operations building in 2016 and a practice bubble in '20. The Owls played in four bowl games from 2008-14 under former coach David Bailiff. It's not an easy job, but the right coach can carve out a successful tenure.

Cons: Although Rice is a job with prime recruiting territory, this is a challenging place to build a roster with academic standards. Overall resources are an issue and it's uncertain what the budget will be for a new coach and his staff after Bloomgren was one of the lowest-paid in the AAC. Rice Stadium (built in 1950) is in need of upgrades.

Other Factors of Note: Rice is one of the smallest FBS programs by enrollment and is averaging only 17,793 in attendance for home games in '24.

Potential Candidates: Garrett Riley (Clemson offensive coordinator); Casey Woods (SMU offensive coordinator); Zach Kittley (Texas Tech offensive coordinator); Tim Beck (Vanderbilt offensive coordinator); Clint Killough (UIW head coach); Will Stein (Oregon offensive coordinator); KC Keeler (Sam Houston head coach)

9. Ball State

Why Ball State is Open: Mike Neu was fired on Nov. 16 after Ball State's loss to Buffalo in Week 12 dropped the team to 3-7 this season. Neu - a former Ball State QB - guided the program to a MAC title in 2020 but was only 40-63 in his tenure. Also, the Cardinals had posted four straight losing seasons since '20 and went 25-43 in MAC games under Neu's watch.

Pros: The MAC doesn't have much separation among its programs, giving the right coach an opportunity to come in and make an impact right away. Also, the removal of divisions makes a turnaround easier in conference play. Ball State opened a new indoor practice facility in 2021. Midweek MACtion games in November add the opportunity for exposure on a national level.

Cons: Ball State has played in only six bowl games since 1997 and is one of the tougher jobs in the MAC. The Cardinals had one of the lowest operating budgets in the conference and Neu's salary was only $700,000. Will the program have more resources for this hire?

Other Factors of Note: Conference realignment hasn't impacted the MAC, as the league plans to expand to 13 members with UMass joining in '25. 

Potential Candidates: Bryant Haines (Indiana defensive coordinator); Justin Frye (Ohio State offensive line coach); Tyler Stockton (Boise State Co-Defensive Coordinator); Mike Uremovich (Butler head coach); Jason Eck (Idaho head coach); George McDonald (Ole Miss WR coach); Eddie Faulkner (Steelers RB coach); Justin Lusting (Penn State Special Teams/OLB/Nickels coach); Deland McCullough (Notre Dame RB coach)

10. Kennesaw State

Why Kennesaw State is Open: Brian Bohannon was dismissed as the program's head coach on Nov. 10. Co-offensive coordinator Chandler Burks will work as the team's interim coach for the final three games of the '24 season. Bohannon was the first coach in Kennesaw State program history and went 72-38 since '15. The Owls went to four FCS Playoff trips under Bohannon but slipped with a 9-20 mark over the last three years. 

Pros: Location. The state of Georgia is fertile recruiting territory, and the campus is less than an hour outside of Atlanta. Although competition for the in-state talent is high, the right coach won't have to look far for players. As Bohannon showed at the FCS level, this team is capable of having consistent success. If Kennesaw State can hire the right coach, the program has upward mobility in Conference USA. 

Cons: Kennesaw State is a young program overall (2015 its first season of play) and in its FBS debut in '24. Although there is obvious upside, it's also fair to wonder just how high it is considering the lack of long-term success or tradition on the gridiron. What resources are available? Bohannon's salary was less than $400,000, which is among the lowest (if not last) at the FBS level. 

Other Factors of Note: Kennesaw State is in its first season of FBS play. The team's stadium (Fifth Third Stadium) seats only 10,200. Student enrollment for the school eclipsed 45,000 in the fall of '23.

Potential Candidates: Drew Cronic (Navy offensive coordinator); Kade Bell (Pitt offensive coordinator); Cody Worley (Army offensive coordinator); Tre Lamb (East Tennessee State head coach); Jess Simpson (Georgia Tech DL coach)

11. UMass

Why UMass is Open: Don Brown was fired on Nov. 18. The long-time defensive coach previously worked as the program's head coach from 2004-08 but was unable to replicate his previous success. The Minutemen went 6-28 under Brown's watch over the last three years, with just two of those victories coming against FBS competition. 

Pros: UMass is moving to the MAC in 2025. Giving up FBS Independence and playing in a conference with manageable competition is a win for the next head coach. Also, Brown's salary ($880,000) and the program's football budget (around $11 million) would both rank among the best in the MAC. This program has quality resources to build a winner. 

Cons: Since moving to the FBS level in 2012, UMass has not posted a winning season and has failed to win more than four games in a single year. The Northeast isn't overflowing with prime recruiting areas. McGuirk Stadium is in need of upgrades and is the smallest in the MAC in terms of capacity (17,000).

Other Factors of Note: This is one of the hardest jobs in college football. Moving to the MAC will help, but UMass is arguably one of the 10 toughest coaching jobs in the nation.

Potential Candidates: Liam Coen (Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator); Joe Harasymiak (Rutgers defensive coordinator); Ricky Santos (New Hampshire head coach); Will Lawing (Boston College offensive coordinator)