Many Group of Five teams went through coaching changes a season ago. And because of that, there isn’t expected to be as much movement in 2025.
Still, multiple head coaches know they have to start winning more soon in order to keep their jobs. Here are the schools that could be involved in the coaching carousel this year.
Head Coach Hot Seat: Trent Dilfer, UAB
Trent Dilfer hadn’t been a college coach before he took over at UAB. But considering he was a former NFL quarterback and a successful coach at the high school ranks, one could see why he would get an opportunity at some point.
But so far, things haven’t been smooth for Dilfer. UAB went 4-8 in 2023 and 3-9 a year ago. Fans have quickly turned on him for myriad reasons.
Because UAB had a winning record before Dilfer got there, and because of how disappointing the Blazers have been, some believe Dilfer should be on the hot seat.
UAB Head Coach Trent Dilfer Contract
Trent Dilfer made $1.45 million in 2024, according to USA Today.
He signed a five-year deal which will pay him an average of $1.3 million per year and will end after the 2027 season. He made exactly $1.3 million in total pay in 2023.
UAB Head Coach Trent Dilfer Buyout
Dilfer’s buyout would be about $2.5 million if he were to be fired.
Head Coaches Hot Seat: Joe Moorhead, Akron
Hiring Joe Moorhead as head coach made a ton of sense for Akron a couple years ago.
Moorhead had head coaching experience. He also had coached at Akron before as an offensive coordinator. He was a successful OC elsewhere as well, including at Oregon before taking over at Akron.
The Zips hoped they could be one of the better programs in the MAC. Instead, they’ve gone 2-10 both in 2022 and 2023 and were 4-8 a season ago. And it’s possible the Zips, who haven’t had a winning record in conference play since 2017, endure another losing season in 2025.
Akron Head Coach Joe Moorhead Contract
Joe Moorhead made $620,000 in total pay in 2024, according to USA Today.
Akron Head Coach Joe Moorhead Buyout
Akron would have to pay Moorhead $650,000 if he were to be fired.
Head Coach Opening: Kent State
Former head coach Kenni Burns was fired by Kent State this offseason. Offensive coordinator Mark Carney is now the interim head coach and led the team to a win over Merrimack to start the 2025 season, snapping a 21-game losing streak.
Burns was 1-23 as the team’s head coach over two seasons. The Golden Flashes were the lone winless team in the FBS in 2024 as they went 0-12.
After all that’s happened, the Golden Flashes will likely be eager to start a new era at the end of this season.
Head Coach Hot Seat: Ricky Rahne, Old Dominion
Ricky Rahne has led Old Dominion to two bowl games since 2021. But the Monarchs haven’t been above .500 since he took over as head coach.
Rahne helped several college offenses flourish in the lead up to him going to Old Dominion.
He was at Penn State from 2014-19, first as a quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator for two years, then as a tight ends coach and passing game coordinator for another two seasons. He was an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach during his final two seasons with the Nittany Lions. During his tenure there, he worked with standout players like quarterbacks Christian Hackenberg and Trace McSorely and tight end Mike Gesicki.
Some are optimistic about ODU’s chances to compete in the Sun Belt this year. But if the Monarchs struggle or don’t get back to a bowl game, it’s possible the program makes a head coaching change.
Old Dominion Head Coach Ricky Rahne Contract
Ricky Rahne made $846,000 in total pay in 2024, according to USA Today.
Old Dominion Head Coach Ricky Rahne Buyout
ODU would have to pay Rahne $600,000 if he were to be fired.
Head Coach Hot Seat: Tim Beck, Coastal Carolina
Going into the 2025 season, Beck was 14-12 overall at Coastal Carolina with a 1-1 record in bowl games. That’s not bad, but it’s also not at the level CCU had been at before he took over.
Remember, Beck was regarded as one of the best assistants in college football before he took the Coastal Carolina job.
NC State, which is where Beck was an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2020-22, had some of the top offenses in the ACC during his time there. Beck was also recognized as one of the top recruiters in the country before going to Coastal Carolina.
Beck was also an OC and QBs coach at Texas (2017-19), Nebraska (2011-14), and Missouri State (1998) as well as a co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Ohio State (2015-16).
Under previous head coach Jamey Chadwell, the Chanticleers were dominant in the Sun Belt. If they aren’t in the mix for a conference title this year, CCU might want a new head coach in 2026.
Coastal Carolina Head Coach Tim Beck Contract
Tim Beck made $1.05 million in total pay in 2024, according to USA Today.
Coastal Carolina Head Coach Tim Beck Buyout
Beck would be owed $1.5 million if he were to be fired.
Head Coaches Hot Seat: Jay Norvell, Colorado State
Colorado State’s first three seasons with Jay Norvell as head coach indicate the program is moving in the right direction.
After going 5-7 in 2023 and nearly making a bowl game, the Rams went 8-5 and appeared in the Arizona Bowl last season. That said, Colorado State didn’t sign Norvell to a contract extension this past offseason with just one year left on his deal, and CSU’s current decision-makers weren’t the ones who hired him. According to ESPN, it would be an easy point to move on if the Rams struggle in 2025.
Norvell was the head coach at Nevada from 2017-21. The Wolf Pack made four bowl games and had winning records each of his last four years there. He mentored two-time Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year Carson Strong while there.
Norvell may not be a bad head coach. But it’s possible CSU might want to move in another direction if the Rams aren’t in contention for a Mountain West title.
Colorado State Head Coach Jay Norvell Contract
Jay Norvell agreed to a five-year contract before the 2022 season which started with a $1.6 million yearly salary that increases $100,000 every season. He made $1.8 million in total pay in 2024, according to USA Today.
Colorado State Head Coach Jay Norvell Buyout
Colorado State would have to pay Norvell $1.5 million if he were to be fired within the next couple months.
