Show summary Hide summary
After a slow start to the season, college football’s coaching carousel accelerated at the end of October as three Power Five programs dismissed head coaches — moves that will cost schools millions in buyouts. The firings at Baylor, NC State and Maryland underscore growing impatience and the heavy financial stakes of midseason change.
Three high‑profile departures
Baylor dismissed head coach Dave Aranda on Sunday, ending his seventh season with the Bears. Aranda finished with a 40–40 record; the team had won four straight games from Sept. 12 through Oct. 3 but then lost consecutive matchups to TCU and Kansas.
Reports indicate Baylor will pay roughly $12 million to part ways with Aranda, one of the larger midseason buyouts so far this year.
NC State, Maryland and Baylor owe coaches more than $30 million after coaching changes
Badgers receiver Eugene Hilton Jr. says fan support grows with wins
On Saturday night, NC State announced the firing of long‑time coach Dave Doeren, following a 31–28 road loss to Stanford that left the Wolfpack 3–4 overall and 1–3 in the ACC. Athletic director Boo Corrigan thanked Doeren for his 14 years of service and wished him and his family well.
NC State faces a $9.75 million buyout to terminate Doeren’s contract.
Maryland move and contract details
Earlier in the week, Maryland relieved Mike Locksley of his duties seven games into his eighth season in College Park. Locksley was 2–5 this season and had followed back‑to‑back 4–8 campaigns in 2024 and 2025, leaving with a 39–54 overall record.
Maryland’s obligation to Locksley is reported at nearly $10 million; about $4.9 million — half of that buyout — is due in a single payment within 60 days of termination.
Week 8 payouts
- Maryland: $9.8 million to Mike Locksley
- Baylor: $12 million to Dave Aranda
- NC State: $9.75 million to Dave Doeren
Coaches on the hot seat
As the season moves toward November, several programs remain under pressure to evaluate their leadership. Names frequently mentioned as vulnerable include Bill O’Brien at Boston College, where the buyout is about $3.8 million, and higher‑profile figures such as Mike Norvell at Florida State (roughly $47 million), Greg Schiano at Rutgers ($18.5 million) and Lincoln Riley at USC (about $70 million).
Wider context: growing costs and an unusual pattern
It is notable that this season began with unusually few early firings: this is the first campaign since 2019 — excluding the pandemic‑impacted 2020 season — without an FBS head coach dismissed before Oct. 1. Historically, about two coaches per season were fired before October during that span.
Last year, eight FBS head coaches were dismissed before Oct. 21, including DeShaun Foster (UCLA), Brent Pry (Virginia Tech), Mike Gundy (Oklahoma State), Sam Pittman (Arkansas), Trent Dilfer (UAB), James Franklin (Penn State), Billy Napier (Florida) and Jay Norvell (Colorado State). Those moves generated more than $60 million in buyouts.
Since the College Football Playoff began in 2014, buyout obligations tied to head‑coaching changes have soared, approaching an estimated total of about $1 billion, according to Front Office Sports.
