Yahoo Sports lists 10 Power Five jobs to keep an eye on as coaching carousel spins up
There are 10 Power Five jobs in college football to watch out for entering Week 10 of the regular season.
Two programs have interim head coaches, so there are surely going to be changes, or at least a large chance of a change. Others have coaches who are embattled, struggling or maybe even saving their jobs currently.
Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger listed the 10 Power Five jobs to keep an eye on as the coaching cycle heats up.
1. Michigan State
Coach: Harlon Barnett
Buyout: Interim
The Spartans job is a bit of a mystery right now as the school got a head start with the firing of Mel Tucker. However, there’s been no indication of where this thing goes, outside of Urban Meyer rumors. Floated named include Jake Dickert (Washington State), Mike Elko (Duke) and Jonathan Smith (Oregon State)
2. Northwestern
Coach: David Braun
Buyout: Interim
Braun has righted the ship as best as he could since taking over for Pat Fitzgerald. The latter was fired before the season started amid a hazing schedule. It seems like Northwestern should give Braun a shot at the permanent job at this rate, considering he has this team at 4-4 and near bowl eligibility.
3. West Virginia
Coach: Neal Brown
Buyout: $13 million
Brown had one of the hottest seats in the country but a great start and now a 5-3 record seems to have cooled off that talk, for now. There’s an argument this team was a play away from a tie atop the Big 12. At this rate, Brown should be back for 2024 if WVU doesn’t make a change or the Mountaineers collapse.
4. Michigan
Coach: Jim Harbaugh
Buyout: $25 million+
This one is fascinating because Harbaugh isn’t on the hot seat but could be forced out or head for the hills (the NFL). The buyout is big, but the Wolverines might not have a choice amid the NCAA investigations. If punishment is delayed, maybe Harbaugh can go out with a national title. This would be the biggest opening in the country, should it be open.
5. Houston
Coach: Dana Holgorsen
Buyout: $15 million
Houston fell to 3-5 after a 41-0 loss to Kansas State over the weekend. But, the Cougars might have a chance at a bowl with a winnable schedule down the stretch. But you have to wonder if it’ll be too little, too late for Holgorsen.
6. Arkansas
Coach: Sam Pittman
Buyout: $11-16 million
Just two years ago, Pittman led the Razorbacks to a nine-win season, but it hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows since then. This team is 2-6, fired OC Dan Enos and is spiraling downward. He’s only 18-16 since that 2021 season. So we could be seeing the final days of Pittman in Fayetteville as he’s firmly on a hot seat.
7. Mississippi State
Coach: Zach Arnett
Buyout: $4.5 million
Arnett has a four-year contract and hasn’t even finished Year 1. Arnett stabilized the program amid the sudden passing of Mike Leach. So how long is this year actually? Will Mississippi State give him some time to make an impression or will they be quick to pull the rug out from underneath?
8. Texas A&M
Coach: Jimbo Fisher
Buyout: $70 million
This is brutal to see for Texas A&M fans. When the program hired Fisher, they expected national championships like he delivered one at Florida State in 2013. There’s been one great year, the 9-1 shortened season in 2020. Other than that, average to, maybe, good football. But that is a massive buyout number.
9. Syracuse
Coach: Dino Babers
Buyout: $8-9 million
Babers turned it around last year with a 7-6 record after going 5-7, 1-10 and 5-7 the previous three seasons. That came after a 10-3 campaign in 2018. But, he’s back to 4-4 this year and the rollercoaster ride continues. 2018 and ‘22 are the only two years he’s led the Orange to an above .500 record.
10. Indiana
Coach: Tom Allen
Buyout: $20 million
Since that 6-2 season in the shortened 2020 campaign, Indiana is 8-24 under Allen. That might’ve been a flash in the pan. Allen’s crew is competitive, there’s no mistaking that. But it’s simply not enough. The basketball power has a decision to make with its football program. Willing to pay that big buyout?
So there’s two openings right now with interim coaches and they’re both in the Big Ten. Those will be filled at some point, but the others, you’ll have to wait and see.