Read on foxsports.comCollege Football Week 15 Buzz: Coaching Carousel Spins, Extensions, and Playoff Implications
Week 15 of the 2025 college football season is dominated by a whirlwind of coaching news. Key stories include Alabama's Kalen DeBoer denying interest in Penn State, Florida hiring Brad White as defensive coordinator, and Louisville's Jeff Brohm committing to stay. Georgia Tech rewarded Brent Key with a contract extension, while Kansas State's Chris Klieman announced his retirement, paving the way for Collin Klein. Major programs like South Florida, Cal, and Kentucky are also making significant hires, and Nebraska made a defensive coordinator change. Amidst the chaos, Ole Miss offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. will finish the season with the Rebels as they prepare for a playoff run.
As the 2025 college football season barrels toward its climax in Week 15, the off-field drama of the coaching carousel is generating as much buzz as the on-field action. The final weeks of the regular season and the impending playoff selections have triggered a cascade of coaching moves, contract extensions, retirements, and denials that are reshaping the landscape of major programs. This period is critical for team stability and future recruiting, with decisions made now having long-lasting implications for the 2026 season and beyond.
Head Coaching Stability and Denials
Several high-profile head coaches have moved to quell speculation about their futures, providing much-needed stability for their programs during a turbulent time. Alabama's Kalen DeBoer, who has led the ninth-ranked Crimson Tide to a 19-6 record over two seasons, was recently linked to the vacant Penn State job. However, DeBoer emphatically denied any interest, stating, "Love this place. There's never been any link, there's never been any conversation, there's never been any interest either way" according to ESPN. This declaration allows Alabama to focus squarely on its postseason ambitions.
Similarly, Louisville's Jeff Brohm has informed the university he is staying put, per ESPN reports. Brohm, a Louisville alumnus, has compiled a 27-12 record since taking over in 2023 and led the Cardinals to an 8-4 season this year. His decision to remain ends speculation connecting him to the Penn State vacancy and solidifies the program's direction. Meanwhile, Georgia Tech demonstrated its faith in Brent Key by awarding him a new five-year contract extension through the 2030 season. Key, a former Yellow Jacket player, has guided the team to a 9-3 record and a No. 24 ranking this season, stating, "There is no other place or opportunity out there like Georgia Tech."
Major Coaching Changes and Hires
The coaching carousel is in full swing with several significant hires and one notable retirement. In a major move, Kansas State's Chris Klieman is retiring after seven seasons and a 54-34 record with the Wildcats, which included a Big 12 championship in 2022. Texas A&M offensive coordinator and former K-State quarterback Collin Klein is set to become the program's new head coach, marking a return to his alma mater.
Florida's new head coach, Jon Sumrall, made his first key hire by bringing in Kentucky's Brad White as defensive coordinator. White spent eight years in Lexington, with seven as the Wildcats' defensive play-caller, fielding units that ranked in the top 25 nationally multiple times. South Florida is also making a splash, hiring long-time Ohio State offensive assistant Brian Hartline as its new head coach following the departure of Alex Golesh to Auburn.
Coordinator Moves and Program Targets
Beyond head coaching positions, coordinator roles are also seeing significant activity with playoff implications. In a unique arrangement, Ole Miss offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. will finish the 2025 season with the Rebels before officially joining Lane Kiffin at LSU. Kiffin, who left Ole Miss for LSU, stated this decision was made to help the No. 7-ranked Rebels achieve the highest possible playoff ranking.
On the hiring front, Cal has identified Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi as its top target to replace the fired Justin Wilcox. Kentucky, after dismissing Mark Stoops, is reportedly targeting Oregon offensive coordinator and Kentucky native Will Stein to be its next head coach. Nebraska, meanwhile, made an in-season change, firing first-year defensive coordinator John Butler after struggles against the run. Head coach Matt Rhule named associate head coach Phil Snow the interim DC for the bowl game.
As Week 15 approaches, these coaching developments create a backdrop of uncertainty and opportunity across college football. The decisions made by administrators and coaches in these final weeks will define program trajectories, impact recruiting classes, and set the stage for the 2026 season. For fans, the constant news cycle underscores that the game is never truly over, even as the season reaches its most critical point on the field.
