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College football coaching changes tracker: FIU hires Willie Simmons as new HC

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of college football The coaching merry-go-round is gaining momentum as the 2024 season comes to a close for many teams.

Head coaches and coordinators travel all over the country. so far, Purdue and west virginia These are the only two Power Four schools to have fired their head coaches.

High-profile assistants are also eyeing opportunities, so there are several possibilities for him to become a head coach in the future.

Here’s who’s in and who’s out.

December 7th

FIU Welcoming Willie Simmons as new HC

influenza announced Simmons, who spent this season as the running backs coach at Duke University, will be the next head football coach. Simmons had a 45-13 record as head coach at Florida A&M (2018-23) and led the Rattlers to two HBCU national championships. Simmons, a former Clemson quarterback, replaces Mike McIntyre, who was fired after three seasons at FIU earlier this month. The Rattlers have recorded a losing streak in 17 of their 21 football seasons.

December 6th

Texas Tech University Hiring Mac Leftwich as new OC

Texas Tech University named Leftwich, former offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach texaswas installed as the new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach following the departure of Zach Kitley to become FAU’s new head coach.

Utah Welcoming Bronco Mendenhall as new HC

Mendenhall has agreed to a six-year contract as Utah State’s next head coach. The 58-year-old spent last season at the University of New Mexico, leading the Lobos to a 5-7 record in his first and only season at the school. Under Mendenhall, New Mexico State led the Mountain West in total offense with 484.2 yards per game.

December 5th

University of California Los Angeles OC Eric Bieniemy fired

The Bruins fired Bieniemy after one season as offensive coordinator. According to Yahoo Sports. Under Bieniemy, UCLA’s offense averaged just 328.8 total yards (15th in the Big Ten) and 18.4 points (16th) per game this season. The Bruins went 5-7 (3-6 in conference play) in Deshaun Foster’s first season in the Big Ten as head coach. Bieniemy previously served as offensive coordinator for the NFL’s Washington Commanders (2023) and Kansas City Chiefs (2018-22).

December 4th

fresno state Matt Entz hired as new HC

The Bulldogs will hire USC assistant head coach and linebackers coach Matt Entz as their new head coach. According to FOX Sports’ Bruce Feldman. Prior to spending the 2024 season on USC’s staff, Entz was the head coach at North Dakota State University from 2019-23, where the program won two FCS championships and compiled a total of 60-11 under him. He left a record of defeat. Fresno State is 6-6 this season under coach Tim Skipper, who served as interim head coach for Jeff Tedford.

December 3rd

michigan OC Kirk Campbell fired

After a rocky first year, head coach Sherone Moore has fired the offensive coordinator and reorganized the coaching staff. Campbell, who was promoted from QB coach to offensive coordinator after Moore was promoted to head coach, oversaw one of the worst offenses in the Big Ten. Michigan allowed the second-fewest yards (294.3 per game) and fifth-fewest points (22.3) in the conference, as the ability to replace quarterback J.J. McCarthy plagued the team all season. . Even in the win over Ohio State, Michigan’s offense struggled. They managed just 235 yards and 13 points, avoiding an upset with a strong defense. With this win, the University of Michigan’s record improved to 7 wins and 5 losses.

No matter who Michigan hires as its next offensive coordinator, the quarterback room will likely improve. They recently acquired top prospect Bryce Underwood for the Class of 2025.

December 2nd

nebraska Interim OC Dana Holgorsen hired for full-time job

In November, Matt Rhule brought in the former WVU and Houston coach to help Nebraska’s offense. He was immediately promoted to the offensive coordinator position for the remainder of the season. Now, the move is permanent. Holgorsen signed a two-year contract to remain as Nebraska’s offensive coordinator. During his short tenure in 2024, the Cornhuskers had their most productive offensive performance in a 44-25 win over Wisconsin. Highly touted freshman quarterback dylan raiola He completed 28 of 38 passes for 293 yards and a touchdown against the Badgers, making Nebraska bowl eligible for the first time since 2016.

oklahoma hire washington stateBen Arbuckle appointed as new OC

Arbuckle was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Washington State University the past two seasons. He will play the same role at Oklahoma.. The 29-year-old replaces Seth Littrell, who was fired in October. The Sooners struggled offensively in their first year in the SEC, finishing second-last in the conference in total offense (322.5 yards per game) and points scored (24.3 points per game). Washington State’s offense, led by Arbuckle, averaged 440.4 yards (22nd nationally) and 36.8 points (12th nationally) this season. Oklahoma went just 6-6 in head coach Brent Venables’ third season, but the team pulled off a 24-3 upset victory over Alabama in late November.

FAU hire Texas Tech University OC Zach Kitley appointed as new HC

Just two weeks after firing Tom Herman, FAU has found its next head coach. Kitley, 33, has overseen one of the nation’s best offenses during his last three seasons in Lubbock. Texas Tech has averaged 435 yards per game over the past three seasons since coach Joey McGuire brought Kitley on his staff from Western Kentucky in 2022.

This season, the Red Raiders (8-4) ranked in the top 10 in yards (459.8 per game) and points (38.6). FAU’s struggles under coach Lane Kiffin continued in 2024. At 3-9, Herman was fired with two games left in his sophomore season. The Owls have not won more than five games in a season since Kiffin left after the 2019 season.

FSU hire nebraska DC Tony White appointed as new DC

Mike Knobel continued to make major changes to his staff. Florida State has hired Nebraska defensive coordinator Tony White for the same role, according to multiple reports. White, a longtime defensive assistant in the college game, joins Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule’s staff ahead of his first year in Lincoln in 2023. Nebraska’s defense was one of the best in the Big Ten and in the nation with White running the defense. Coordinator, he finished in the top 20 in yards allowed both seasons. This season, they rank 19th in the nation in yards allowed (315.4 per game) and 20th in points allowed (19.8 per game). Meanwhile, FSU’s defense was one of the worst in the ACC during a disappointing 2-10 season. They allowed the fourth-most points (385.9 yards per game) and allowed 28 points per game.

White’s hiring comes days after the program hired UCF head coach Gus Malzahn as offensive coordinator after one of the worst seasons in Florida State history.

December 1st

west virginia Head coach Neil Brown fired

WVU has fired head coach Neil Brown, who went 37-35 in six seasons and 6-6 this season. His teams never competed for a Big 12 championship or ranked in the AP Top 25 poll. They lost nine straight against higher-ranked opponents. Brown will receive a $9.5 million buyout during the final three years of his contract.

Purdue Head coach Ryan Walters fired

Purdue fires first head coach After two seasons and a brutal 1-11 season. The Boilermakers lost their final 11 games to set a school single-season record, suffered two of the most lopsided losses in program history, and were winless in conference play for only the third time since 1946, leading the F.B.S. It was the first time since 1946 that they had won against their opponent. 2013 and the second time in modern times. Walters finished his tenure at Purdue with a 5-19 record.

November 30th

UCF Head coach Gus Malzahn resigns FSU O.C.

Gus Malzahn resigned as UCF’s head coach to become FSU’s offensive coordinator. The Knights officially announced Malzahn’s departure in a statement released the day after UCF (4-8) ended its season with a loss. Immediately thereafter, Florida State announces hiring. Malzahn had a 28-24 record in four years at UCF, losing his last two years after the school joined the Big 12. He coached at Auburn for eight seasons before being fired in 2020.

Malzahn replaces offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Alex Atkins, who was fired on Nov. 10 after a 52-3 loss to Notre Dame. The Seminoles (2-10) have fallen significantly since going 13-1 last season and winning the ACC title.

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