In recent weeks, the college football landscape has been shaken by a spate of high-profile head coach firings, leading to a new phenomenon dubbed “Black Sunday.” Prominent programs such as LSU, Florida, and Penn State have parted ways with their coaches, sparking widespread speculation about the most desirable coaching vacancies.
The debate gained traction on the “Big Noon Kickoff” show during Week 10, where panelist Brady Quinn emphasized the attractiveness of the LSU position. “It’s a layup to go to LSU,” he stated, highlighting the state’s support and the school’s storied history of success under legendary coaches like Nick Saban, Les Miles, and Ed Orgeron, all of whom have won national championships with the Tigers. LSU’s firing of Brian Kelly followed a disappointing 49-25 defeat at home to Texas A&M, which left the team with a 5-3 record this season. Under Kelly, LSU had a combined record of 34-14 from 2022 to 2025 but had only reached the College Football Playoff once since 2014 when they won the national title in 2019.
Urban Meyer, who notably led Florida to two national championships in the late 2000s, expressed a differing opinion on the top head coaching vacancies. He placed Florida at the forefront, citing the local talent and resources despite the current turmoil within the program. He warned that LSU’s lack of an Athletic Director could deter potential high-profile candidates. Meyer’s rankings placed Florida at No. 1, LSU at No. 2, and Penn State at No. 3, suggesting that recruiting challenges have made it tougher for the Nittany Lions to attract top talent in recent years.
Florida dismissed Billy Napier following a 3-4 season start, leaving him with a record of 22-23 over two seasons. Historically, the Gators have not made an appearance in the College Football Playoff since its inception in 2014.
Additional head coaching vacancies exist across the sport, with schools like Oklahoma State, UCLA, and Arkansas also seeking new leadership. As the college football landscape evolves, the next few months are likely to bring significant changes as teams look to fill these critical positions with skilled coaches who can lead them back to prominence.