{"id":96187,"date":"2025-12-26T12:14:21","date_gmt":"2025-12-26T12:14:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/96187\/"},"modified":"2025-12-26T12:14:21","modified_gmt":"2025-12-26T12:14:21","slug":"2025-college-football-playoff-bowl-buzz-florida-state-qb-declares-for-nfl-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/96187\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 College Football Playoff, Bowl Buzz: Florida State QB Declares For NFL Draft"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 2025 College Football<\/a> Playoff is right around the corner, and news surrounding the tournament is nonstop.<\/p>\n

Here’s the latest on what’s happening around the league with the regular season in the books and bowl season on the horizon:<\/p>\n

Castellanos drops lawsuit, declares for NFL Draft<\/p>\n

Florida State<\/a> quarterback Tommy Castellanos<\/a> has dropped his appeal for another year of college eligibility and declared for the NFL<\/a> draft. Castellanos thanked family, friends, coaches and teammates and “everyone who has supported me along this journey’ in a statement posted on social media.<\/p>\n

The NCAA initially denied Castellanos’ waiver request for a fifth season.<\/p>\n

Castellanos, who transferred to Florida State last December after one year at Central Florida and two at Boston College<\/a>, argued that college football\u2019s sanctioning body should grant him another season because he played in only five games with the Knights in 2022.<\/p>\n

Castellanos played against Tulane in the American Athletic Conference title game after starter John Rhys Plumlee<\/a> aggravated a hamstring injury. Backup Mikey Keene<\/a> opted out of the game because he wanted to preserve a year of eligibility before entering the transfer portal.<\/p>\n

Castellanos completed 58.3% of his passes for 2,760 yards this season, with 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also led the Seminoles (5-7) with 557 yards rushing and nine scores.<\/p>\n

Wilson files lawsuit against Georgia over transfer portal<\/p>\n

Missouri<\/a> pass rusher Damon Wilson II<\/a> claims that the athletic department at Georgia is trying to illegally punish him for entering the transfer portal in a lawsuit filed by the linebacker in state court Tuesday in Boone County, Missouri.<\/p>\n

Wilson transferred to the Tigers last January after signing a 14-month deal with Georgi’s booster collective to capitalize on his name, image and likeness. He received $30,000 in an initial payment on a $500,000 deal before entering the transfer portal.<\/p>\n

Georgia filed a lawsuit last month claiming that Wilson owed its athletic department $390,000 in liquidated damages for leaving the team. Wilson’s countersuit claims that his former school is using such damages to “punish” him for his decision to leave.<\/p>\n

Georgia spokesman Steve Drummond said the school had no comment because it involves pending litigation. “When the University of Georgia Athletic Association enters binding agreements with student-athletes, we honor our commitments and expect student-athletes to do the same,” Drummond said upon the school’s initial lawsuit in early December.<\/p>\n

The Hornets have signed their head coach to a contract extension that keeps Jackson present through the 2028 season, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer<\/a>. This season, Delaware State<\/a> went 8-4 overall and 4-1 in MEAC<\/a> play in what was its first season with Jackson as its head coach. Jackson, a three-time Pro Bowler who primarily shined as a wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles<\/a> (2008-13 and 2019-20) and Washington Commanders<\/a> (2014-16), was previously the head coach at Woodrow Wilson Classical High School in 2024.<\/p>\n

Day takes over offensive play calls for Ohio State<\/p>\n

Ryan Day will call the offensive plays for Ohio State<\/a> during the College Football<\/a> Playoff, beginning with the Dec. 31 quarterfinal game at the Cotton Bowl against Miami.<\/p>\n

Brian Hartline was the offensive play caller during the Buckeyes regular season, but accepted the head coaching position at South Florida<\/a> on Dec. 3. Hartline remains on the Buckeyes’ staff through the CFP and is coaching the wide receivers.<\/p>\n

Day said putting together the game plan remains a group effort with co-offensive coordinator\/tight ends coach Keenan Bailey, Carlos Locklyn (running backs), Billy Fessler (quarterbacks) and Tyler Bowen (offensive line) equally involved.<\/p>\n

Day called plays on offense the first five years he was Ohio State’s head coach. He turned over those duties to Chip Kelly in 2024 and gave them to Hartline this season when Kelly left for the NFL.<\/p>\n

The second-seeded Buckeyes (12-1) go into the Miami game with the fifth-ranked offense of the remaining eight teams, averaging 429.5 yards per game. The 10th-seeded Hurricanes (11-2) advanced with a 10-3 victory over Texas A&M on Saturday.<\/p>\n

North Carolina hires Petrino<\/p>\n

The Tar Heels have their new offensive coordinator, as North Carolina has hired former Missouri State<\/a> and Louisville head coach Bobby Petrino, per On3<\/a>. North Carolina had fired 2025 offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens earlier in December after a single season in the role.<\/p>\n

North Carolina ranked 131st out of 136 teams in total offensive yards per game, with 288.8, and ranked 129th in average first downs. They were also just 121st in points. Petrino, who has been an offensive coordinator at multiple stops in his career including Idaho<\/a>, Utah State, Louisville, Auburn, UNLV, Texas A&M, Arkansas<\/a> and in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars, will have to apply all of that experience to turning around one of the very worst offenses in FBS-level college football.<\/p>\n

Petrino was most recently the interim head coach for Arkansas following Sam Pittman’s firing in September.<\/p>\n

Lane Kiffin gets bonus for Ole Miss win<\/p>\n

Lane Kiffin is no longer in Oxford, but he’s still profiting off Ole Miss’ success. The new LSU head coach earned a $250,000 bonus from Ole Miss’ win over Tulane on Saturday, thanks to his contract with the Tigers. When Kiffin became LSU’s head coach, the program added to his contract that he would receive whatever bonus money he would’ve received at Ole Miss during the College Football Playoff.<\/p>\n

Kenny Dillingham staying at Arizona State<\/a><\/p>\n

Michigan<\/a> is taking two potential shots in its head-coaching search, as Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama Crimson Tide<\/a> won in the first round of the College Football Playoff and now Arizona<\/a> State has signed head coach Kenny Dillingham to a new contract. The deal pays Dillingham $7.5 million per season, according to ESPN<\/a>. The 35-year-old Dillingham, who’s an Arizona State<\/a> alum, is in his third season as the head coach of the Sun Devils, with the program winning the Big 12<\/a>, reaching the College Football Playoff and finishing with an 11-3 record in 2024; Dillingham won 2024 Big 12 Coach of the Year honors. This season, Arizona State is 8-4 overall, 6-3 in Big 12 play and wraps up its season in the Sun Bowl against Duke<\/a> on Dec. 31.<\/p>\n

$5 Million QB?<\/p>\n

The going rate for a high-profile quarterback in the transfer portal could be $5 million for a single season, according to ESPN<\/a>. Sam Leavitt<\/a>, Dylan Raiola<\/a>, DJ Lagway<\/a> and Josh Hoover<\/a> are among the quarterbacks in the portal<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Muschamp returns to Texas as coordinator<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian announced on Thursday that former coordinator and linebackers coach Will Muschamp would return to the school to once again be the team’s defensive coordinator.<\/p>\n

Muschamp coached at Auburn, Eastern Kentucky<\/a>, Valdosta State, LSU, in the NFL for the Dolphins as their assistant head coach and for Auburn again before joining the Longhorns’ staff in 2008. He was brought in to be the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, but was also eventually supposed to be the successor to head coach Mack Brown whenever he decided to retire. Instead, Muschamp was hired by Florida in 2011, then went back to Auburn as a defensive coordinator once more before heading to South Carolina and then Georgia<\/a>, where he has served on the special teams coaching staff, as a co-defensive coordinator and assistant coach, and as a data analyst.<\/p>\n

While with Texas, Muschamp’s work as a coordinator helped the Longhorns win the Big 12 Championship in 2009 against Nebraska before advancing to the BCS National Championship game against Alabama.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Texas also announced that defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski was not being retained, and that defensive passing game coordinator Duane Akina was also being relieved of his duties.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Stein adds Leftwich, Price III to Kentucky staff<\/p>\n

Kentucky<\/a> coach Will Stein announced two more coaching staff hires on Thursday, including bringing another person with him from Oregon<\/a> to try to revive the Wildcats.<\/p>\n

Stein said Cutter Leftwich will be Kentucky’s offensive line coach and Joe Price III the wide receivers coach. Leftwich currently is Oregon’s assistant offensive line coach and run game coordinator. Stein already hired Pat Biondo from Oregon as Kentucky’s general manager.<\/p>\n

Both Stein, Oregon’s offensive coordinator, and Leftwich will be coaching Saturday night when the fifth-seeded Ducks host James Madison in the first round of the College Football<\/a> Playoff.<\/p>\n

Leftwich has worked with Oregon’s offense two of the past three years, with a year at North Texas<\/a> as an offensive line coach. Leftwich was a graduate assistant at UCLA<\/a> in 2022 working with the Bruins’ offensive line. He started coaching as a graduate assistant in 2021 at UTSA<\/a> and played at McNeese State.<\/p>\n

Stein worked with Price at UTSA and said he’s thrilled to add him to his Kentucky staff. Price has spent the last six seasons at UTSA, the last three as associate head coach, pass game coordinator and receivers coach. He was director of player personnel for UTSA in 2020 and 2021.<\/p>\n

Price currently is helping the Roadrunners prepare for the First Responder Bowl on Dec. 26 in Dallas.<\/p>\n

Ohio<\/a> coach partakes in “misconduct”<\/p>\n

The Bobcats have fired head coach Brian Smith for cause after engaging in “serious professional misconduct and participating in activities that reflect unfavorably on the University,” the school announced<\/a>. Smith was placed on leave on Dec. 1, according to The Athletic<\/a>, with assistant head coach\/defensive coordinator John Hauser now serving as interim coach for Ohio’s<\/a> Frisco Bowl matchup against UNLV<\/a> on Dec. 23. The now-fired Smith was in his first season as the Bobcats’ head coach, with Ohio going 8-4 overall and 6-2 in Mid-American Conference<\/a> play this season and winning its 2024 bowl game with him at the helm. Smith had been on Ohio’s coaching staff since 2022.<\/p>\n

Skip Holtz leaves Birmingham\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Birmingham Stallions<\/a>‘ head coach announced<\/a> that he’s stepping down from his position but not retiring from coaching. Holtz said he’s “excited about the next steps” in his journey as he takes time to “pause” and “reflect” on potential college football head-coaching opportunities. Holtz has been the Stallions’ head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach since the 2022 revival of the USFL (now the UFL<\/a>) with Birmingham, most notably, winning three consecutive championships from 2022-24. Last season, the Stallions went 7-3 before being eliminated in the USFL division title game.<\/p>\n

Cooper Manning, Arch’s father, said that “Arch is playing football at Texas<\/a> next year,” according to ESPN<\/a>. Manning, who’s returning for his redshirt junior season, has totaled 2,942 passing yards, 24 passing yards, seven interceptions and a 145.8 passer rating through 12 games, while completing 61.4% of his passes in what’s his first season as a full-time starter. He has also rushed for 244 yards and eight touchdowns. Manning and the No. 13-ranked Longhorns (9-3) will finish out the season against No. 18 Michigan<\/a> (9-3) in the Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31.<\/p>\n

Will Stein brings Pat Biondo to Kentucky<\/a><\/p>\n

New Kentucky<\/a> coach Stein is bringing Biondo from Oregon<\/a> with him as the Wildcats’ new general manager, among his staff changes announced Tuesday. Stein also hired Pete Nochta as assistant general manager and is keeping Josh Pruitt as director of operations. “I\u2019m thrilled to welcome Pat as our new general manager,” Stein said. “He has a relentless work ethic and a clear vision for what it takes to build a team and a successful program. His ability to connect with people and bring out the best in those around him makes him a perfect fit.”<\/p>\n

Biondo has spent four years as the director of football recruiting strategy at Oregon, where the fifth-seeded Ducks are hosting James Madison<\/a> on Saturday in the first round of the College Football<\/a> Playoff. He was senior assistant of recruiting and operations at Texas A&M<\/a> for three seasons before going to Oregon. Nochta spent 10 seasons at Louisville<\/a> and was the Cardinals’ director of recruiting the past four years. He was a quality control coach and then graduate assistant at Purdue<\/a> in 2011 and 2012 before going to Western Kentucky<\/a> in 2013 as a graduate assistant. Pruitt is going into his 14th season at Kentucky and sixth as director of operations.<\/p>\n

Alabama<\/a> committed to HC Kalen DeBoer<\/p>\n

Amid speculation that DeBoer was a top candidate for the vacant Penn State<\/a> head coaching job and that his name had been floated for the Michigan<\/a> job, Greg Byrne, Alabama’s<\/a> athletic director, posted on social media on Dec. 14 that the university was committed to keeping their coach.<\/p>\n

“We are proud to have Coach DeBoer leading our football program at The University of Alabama,” Byrne wrote<\/a>. “He is an incredible coach and does an excellent job with the development of our student-athletes, both on and off the field. Just as he is committed to this team, we are committed to him.”<\/p>\n

DeBoer also posted a statement<\/a>, shutting down rumors that he was unhappy in Tuscaloosa and potentially planning on moving on. “My family and I are very happy in Tuscaloosa and remain extremely grateful for the support of president (Peter) Mohler, Greg Byrne, the board and so many others,” he said. “We have an incredible opportunity in front of us, so my sole focus is on Alabama football and our preparations to play Oklahoma<\/a> in the College Football Playoff.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I have not spoken and have no interest in speaking with anyone else about any other job. I am fully committed to this program and look forward to continuing as the head football coach at the University of Alabama.”<\/p>\n

Sumrall endorses Tulane<\/a> naming Hall next head coach with donation<\/p>\n

Tulane will soon turn to a new leader, a move former head coach Jon Sumrall endorsed Monday with a generous donation.<\/p>\n

Tulane Athletics announced<\/a> Sumrall and his wife, Ginny, made a $100,000 contribution to the\u00a0Green Wave Talent Fund,\u00a0an initiative meant to expand Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities for student-athletes and bolster the staff’s ability to recruit and compete. The move was made in support of the program’s next head coach, Will Hall<\/a>, and will “directly strengthen Tulane’s ability to recruit, retain, and develop championship-caliber student-athletes,” per the school.<\/p>\n

“Tulane University and New Orleans are special to me and my family,” Sumrall said in a press release. “Ginny and I are honored to support the Green Wave Talent Fund because we believe in the vision of Tulane Athletics and want to contribute to the continued success of its student-athletes. The future is incredibly bright, and we are excited for Will Hall and his family to be part of it.”<\/p>\n

“Coach Hall possesses a keen understanding of Tulane University and its football program, along with a passion that greatly benefits the Green Wave. As a leader, he cares deeply about helping others reach their full potential and is dedicated to equipping them to achieve that goal in every way possible. He has our family’s full support, and we wish him nothing but success as he leads Tulane Football!”<\/p>\n

Tulane decided on Dec. 8 to make Hall, its passing game coordinator and receivers coach, its next head coach after the 2025 season ends in the CFP under the outgoing Sumrall, who accepted an offer on Nov. 30 to take over at Florida<\/a> but has been permitted to continue coaching Tulane through the postseason.<\/p>\n

“I\u2019m truly honored,” Hall said. “Tulane has been a special place for me. I\u2019ve felt the unique spirit of Tulane and the strength of its culture. I\u2019m excited to lead this program with a deep respect for its history, its people, and the city of New Orleans.”<\/p>\n

The 45-year-old Hall will become the third Tulane coach since Willie Fritz left for Houston<\/a> of the Big 12<\/a> after the 2023 season. Fritz’s tenure included a conference title game victory in 2022, followed by a landmark Cotton Bowl victory over USC<\/a> and another league championship game appearance in 2023.<\/p>\n

“(Hall\u2019s) character, integrity, and leadership qualities are evident both on and off the field,” Tulane athletic director David Harris said. “With extensive head coaching experience and a proven track record of success at every level, Will embodies the qualities we value in our program. We believe he is the right person to lead Tulane Football into its next chapter.”<\/p>\n

This season, Sumrall led the Green Wave (11-2) to its second American Conference championship in four years and first College Football Playoff appearance.<\/p>\n

Utah<\/a> HC Kyle Whittingham steps down, Morgan Scalley promoted<\/p>\n

After 21 seasons at Utah<\/a>, Whittingham is stepping down after coaching in the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 31, the program announced on Dec. 12<\/a>. The school then announced on Dec. 13<\/a> that Scalley, the Utes’ defensive coordinator, will take over as their full-time head coach thereafter. Scalley, who was a defensive back at Utah from 2001-04, has been on the Utes’ coaching staff since 2007 and their defensive coordinator since 2016. He was reportedly the successor-in-waiting for when Whittingham ultimately stepped down from his position.<\/p>\n

“Morgan Scalley has proven over the course of his outstanding coaching and playing career at the University of Utah that he is uniquely equipped to take over as the program’s next leader,” Director of Athletics Mark Harlan said in a statement<\/a>. “He not only has great knowledge and perspective of what makes Utah football special, but his passion and love for the University of Utah position him to carry the mantle of leadership forward and continue the program’s legacy of success.”<\/p>\n

Whittingham, 66, departs after a total of 32 years with the Utes, previously serving as a position coach from 1994-2004. Utah recorded a winning record in 18 of his 21 seasons, going 177-68 in that span.<\/p>\n

Sellers is finalizing a deal to return to South Carolina<\/a> for the 2026 season, according to ESPN<\/a>. In what was his redshirt sophomore season, Sellers totaled 2,437 passing yards, 13 passing touchdowns, eight interceptions and a 139.8 passer rating in 2025, while completing 60.8% of his passes. He also rushed for 270 yards and five touchdowns in what was a 4-8 season (1-7 in SEC<\/a> play) for the Gamecocks. Sellers, a former four-star recruit, has been South Carolina’s starting quarterback the past two seasons and a touted NFL<\/a> quarterback prospect.<\/p>\n

Georgia State<\/a>‘s TJ Finley headed for portal<\/p>\n

The NCAA transfer portal is set to add an intriguing prospect, with Georgia State<\/a> quarterback TJ Finley<\/a> reportedly set to enter the portal, according to a report from On3<\/a>. Finley will be required to file a waiver for a seventh year of eligibility, as he looks to continue his career elsewhere after stints at LSU, Auburn<\/a>, Texas State<\/a> and Western Kentucky<\/a>. Finley also transferred to Tulane after WKU in 2024 but was suspended indefinitely before the season and never played a game for the Green Wave.<\/p>\n

In 2025, Finley saw action in seven games and compiled 1,244 yards, six touchdowns and seven interceptions with a 1-6 record. He became eligible for a seventh season after suffering a season-ending injury with WKU<\/a> in 2024 after playing in three games.<\/p>\n

Indiana<\/a> extends coordinator<\/p>\n

The Hoosiers are extending defensive coordinator Bryant Haines to a deal that makes him one of the highest-paid assistants in college football. Haines has confirmed<\/a> that he signed a new contract. Haines has been a fixture on head coach Curt Cignetti’s coaching staff, serving as his defensive coordinator the past two years at IU (2024-25) and the previous two at James Madison<\/a> (2022-23). He also coached under Cignetti at Elon<\/a> (2017-18) and IUP (2014-15).<\/p>\n

Haines’ defense is first in the Big Ten<\/a> in opponent rushing yards (77.6 per game), second in opponent points (10.8 per game), third in opponent total yards (257.2 per game) and fifth in opponent passing yards (179.5 per game) this season. Last week, the Hoosiers held then-No. 1 Ohio State<\/a> to 10 points in the Big Ten Championship Game. Indiana is the No. 1 seed and the only undefeated power-four program in the sport.<\/p>\n

The Cougars announced that they’ve hired Missouri<\/a> offensive coordinator Kirby Moore as their next head coach.<\/p>\n

“Coach Moore is the real deal, and exactly who we needed to propel us to the top of the new Pac-12<\/a>,” WSU<\/a> President Elizabeth Cantwell said in a statement<\/a>. “Our student-athletes have lucked out. This man cares deeply not only about winning, but their success on and\u00a0off the field. We look forward to welcoming Coach Moore\u00a0and his family\u00a0to Pullman, and to Coug Nation. Join me in wrapping Coach Moore in Cougar Pride. Go Cougs!”<\/p>\n

Moore was Missouri’s offensive coordinator the last three seasons (2023-25), while previously being an offensive assistant at Fresno State<\/a> for six seasons (2017-22). Washington<\/a> State lost head coach Jimmy Rogers to Iowa State<\/a> in the wake of Matt Campbell departing Ames to take over at Penn State<\/a> earlier this month. The Wildcats are 6-6 this season and play Utah State<\/a> in the “Famous Idaho Potato Bowl” on Dec. 22.<\/p>\n

San Diego State<\/a> defensive coordinator Rob Aurich will join Nebraska<\/a> in the same role, and the Cornhuskers also hired Georgia Tech<\/a>‘s Geep Wade to coach the offensive line, coach Matt Rhule announced Friday. Aurich had been on the Aztecs’ staff for two years, with this his first as defensive coordinator. The Aztecs had one of FBS’s top defenses this year, and Aurich was a nominee for the Broyles Award as the nation\u2019s top assistant coach. He replaces John Butler<\/a>.<\/p>\n

SDSU led the country with three shutouts and held eight of 12 opponents to 10 or fewer points. It ranked in the top 10 nationally in 10 categories while posting the fifth-best scoring defense in Mountain West<\/a> history. The 12.5 points per game allowed in 2025 ranked fifth nationally and was a 17-point improvement from the 2024 season.<\/p>\n

Wade, an FBS offensive line coach for 11 seasons, has developed linemen who have combined for 23 all-conference awards, including nine All-ACC<\/a> awards from 2023 to 2025. He replaces Donovan Raiola.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Nebraska is coming off of a 7-5 season where it finished 10th in the Big Ten<\/a> while allowing 312.3 yards per game, 171.3 of which were rushing yards, along with 2.2 rushing touchdowns per game.<\/p>\n

Two North Carolina<\/a> coordinators won’t return<\/p>\n

UNC<\/a> offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens and special teams coordinator Mike Priefer won’t return next season. The school announced Friday it had “parted ways” with the two assistants after the school’s 4-8 season. UNC’s offense was one of the worst in the country, ranking 119th in FBS in scoring (19.3) and 129th in total offense (288.8 yards).<\/p>\n

“We want to thank Coach Kitchens and Coach Priefer for their commitment and many contributions to our program and student-athletes,” Belichick said in a statement. “We wish them both nothing but the best in their future endeavors.”<\/p>\n

Tennessee<\/a> adds new defensive coordinator<\/p>\n

Vols head coach Josh Heupel has hired Jim Knowles as the team’s new defensive coordinator. Heupel moved quickly after firing coordinator Tim Banks on Monday, and the Vols coach said Thursday that hiring Knowles was a priority from the start.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Jim has a proven track record of developing elite defenses that play with an edge, and we got to see that first-hand during the 2024 College Football<\/a> Playoff,” Heupel said of the Vols’ first-round loss to Ohio State<\/a> a year ago.<\/p>\n

Knowles has coached 38 years in college football, with 18 as a defensive coordinator. He spent this season at Penn State<\/a> and was at Ohio State between 2022 and 2024, helping the Buckeyes win the 2024 national championship. During his time at OSU, the Buckeyes allowed only 14.9 points and 278.7 yards per game over a three-year span with Knowles. Ohio State went 36-6, and Knowles coached 11 NFL<\/a> draft picks.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Michigan<\/a> fires HC Sherrone Moore<\/p>\n

The Wolverines have fired Moore “for cause” after two seasons as their head coach, according to ESPN<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“Following a University investigation, credible evidence was found that Coach Moore engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member,” the school said in a statement. “This conduct constitutes a clear violation of University policy, and U-M maintains zero tolerance for such behavior. Biff Poggi has been appointed head football coach in an interim capacity, effective immediately.”<\/p>\n

Moore had been on Michigan’s<\/a> coaching staff since 2018, previously serving as the team’s offensive coordinator, offensive line coach and tight ends coach before becoming the full-time head coach for the 2024 season. Michigan is 9-3 overall this season, ranked No. 18 and went a combined 17-8 under Moore over the past two seasons.<\/p>\n

Indiana<\/a> DE injured during Big Ten<\/a> title celebration<\/p>\n

Indiana<\/a> defensive end Stephen Daley<\/a> is expected to miss the CFP after getting injured during the top-ranked Hoosiers’ Big Ten championship celebration, head coach Curt Cignetti announced on Dec. 10.<\/p>\n

“I can confirm that he did sustain an injury, a serious injury that will probably make him not available for the remainder of the season,” said Cignetti, who was unaware that Daley had been hurt until long after the game’s conclusion.<\/p>\n

A social media video showed Daley appearing to land awkwardly on his right leg while high-fiving fans moments after the Hoosiers completed a 13-10 victory over Ohio State to capture their first Big Ten title since 1967.<\/p>\n

Daley was a lightly recruited player in his home state of Virginia<\/a> but played a key role for Cignetti after transferring from Kent State<\/a> to Indiana this season. He had 38 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and one pass breakup this season, earning all-Big Ten honorable mention honors.<\/p>\n

Indiana has a first-round bye and will face either No. 8 Oklahoma or No. 9 Alabama in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1.<\/p>\n

Ole Miss<\/a> gets coaching boost<\/p>\n

Five Ole Miss<\/a> coaches who are joining Lane Kiffin’s coaching staff at LSU<\/a> will be staying in Oxford through the CFP. Those coaches are offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr., assistant quarterbacks coach Dane Stevens, tight ends coach Joe Cox, wide receivers coach George McDonald and slot wide receivers coach Sawyer Jordan, according to ESPN<\/a>. Kiffin announced his intention to leave Ole Miss for LSU on Nov. 30, with the Rebels not allowing their head coach of six seasons to coach them in the postseason.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Rebels (11-1) are the No. 6 seed in the CFP and host No. 11 seed Tulane<\/a> on Dec. 20.<\/p>\n

Tennessee<\/a> fires defensive coordinator before bowl game<\/p>\n

Tennessee<\/a> head coach Josh Heupel fired defensive coordinator Tim Banks on Dec. 8, a year after the assistant was a finalist for the Broyles Award. Banks had been with Heupel all five seasons at Tennessee after being hired away from Penn State<\/a> in Feb. 2021. With Banks, the Vols reached the 2024 CFP and ranked fourth nationally in scoring defense, holding opponents to 13.9 points per game; Tennessee lost in the opening round to eventual champion Ohio State<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This season, the Vols dropped to 91st in the country, giving up 28.7 points a game. They gave up at least 33 points in each of their losses, the last a 45-25 loss to Vanderbilt<\/a> that dropped Tennessee out of the AP Top 25 poll.<\/p>\n

“These are tough decisions but one I ultimately felt was necessary for the future of our program,’ Heupel said in a statement. “We are fully committed to identifying our next defensive coordinator who will uphold the standard that Tennessee has historically been known for.”<\/p>\n

Linebackers coach William Inge will be the interim defensive coordinator for Tennessee in the Music City Bowl on Dec. 30 against Illinois<\/a> in Nashville. Inge was co-defensive coordinator at Washington from 2022-23 and was defensive coordinator at Fresno State from 2020-21.<\/p>\n

Baylor<\/a> names new athletic director<\/p>\n

Baylor<\/a> athletics administrator and graduate Doug McNamee was named the school’s athletic director on Dec. 8. He replaces Mack Rhoades, who stepped down for personal reasons last month after nine years; Rhoades had also been chairman of the College Football<\/a> Playoff selection committee.\u00a0<\/p>\n

McNamee was the senior associate athletic director for external affairs at Baylor in 2018, when he was responsible for all major revenue-generating and brand-facing units, including fundraising, marketing, communications and premium ticketing. He played a key role in the fundraising, planning and opening of McLane Stadium over a decade ago.<\/p>\n

“My connection to Baylor University runs deep, and its culture, history, and expectations have profoundly shaped my life,’ McNamee said in a statement. “I believe the breadth of my experiences has prepared me for this moment at Baylor and within the evolving landscape of college athletics. Stepping into corporate leadership allowed me to cultivate the entrepreneurial mindset, creativity, hunger, and financial discipline required to thrive in today\u2019s environment and the one ahead.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Returning to my alma mater in this capacity is a profound honor and responsibility. I do not take it lightly.”<\/p>\n

The Associated Press contributed to this report.<\/p>\n

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FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The 2025 College Football Playoff is right around the corner, and news surrounding the tournament is nonstop. Here’s…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":96188,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[232,234,233],"class_list":["post-96187","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-tallahassee","tag-tallahassee","tag-tallahassee-headlines","tag-tallahassee-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/96187","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=96187"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/96187\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/96188"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=96187"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=96187"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=96187"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}