It’s been a wild ride for college football fans this year, with unexpected changes and surprises at every turn. But perhaps the biggest shock of all has been the sudden influx of head coaching openings, with more than 10 positions up for grabs. Who could have predicted this just a year ago?
Last season, if anyone had told you that by this time next year there would be over 10 head coaching vacancies, you probably would have laughed it off. After all, top coaches like James Franklin, Brian Kelly, and Hugh Freeze seemed to have secure positions at their respective schools. But as we’ve seen, anything can happen in the world of college football.
Franklin, who had been at Penn State since 2014, made the surprising decision to leave for USC. It was a move that caught many off guard, as Franklin had built a successful program at Penn State and seemed to have a strong connection with his players. But the lure of a bigger and more prestigious program was too much to resist.
Similarly, Kelly’s departure from Notre Dame was met with shock and disbelief. After leading the Fighting Irish to a 12-0 regular season record and a spot in the College Football Playoff last year, it seemed like Kelly was in it for the long haul. But when the opportunity to coach at LSU presented itself, Kelly couldn’t say no. And just like that, Notre Dame was left scrambling to find a new head coach.
But perhaps the most unexpected exit was that of Hugh Freeze from Liberty University. Freeze had only been at the school for two seasons, but had quickly turned the program around and led them to their first bowl game in school history. However, a lucrative offer from a Power 5 school was too tempting for Freeze to pass up, and he left Liberty in search of a new challenge.
These high-profile coaching changes have completely shaken up the college football landscape. With so many top programs in need of a new leader, the coaching carousel is in full swing. And with each new hire, the landscape of college football looks completely different.
But amidst all the chaos and uncertainty, there is one new head coach who is generating a lot of buzz and excitement – Marcus Freeman. The former Cincinnati defensive coordinator has been making waves in the coaching world and has quickly become a hot commodity. And now, he’s joining the conversation as a potential replacement for the likes of Franklin, Kelly, and Freeze.
Freeman’s meteoric rise in the coaching ranks is a testament to his talent and hard work. After a successful playing career at Ohio State, Freeman began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater. He then went on to coach at Purdue and Kent State before landing at Cincinnati in 2017.
In just four seasons at Cincinnati, Freeman has transformed the Bearcats’ defense into one of the best in the country. Under his leadership, Cincinnati has consistently ranked among the top defenses in the nation and has produced numerous NFL draft picks. It’s no wonder that he’s caught the attention of top programs looking for a new head coach.
And now, Freeman is set to take on his biggest challenge yet – leading a major college football program. With his proven track record of success and his ability to connect with players, there’s no doubt that Freeman is up for the task. And as he joins the conversation for top head coaching positions, he’s sure to make a lasting impact wherever he ends up.
So while the coaching carousel may have left us with a lot of uncertainty and change, there’s one thing we can be sure of – Marcus Freeman is a rising star in the world of college football. And as he joins the likes of Franklin, Kelly, and Freeze in the conversation for top head coaching positions, we can’t wait to see what he’ll accomplish in the years to come. The future of college football is in good hands with coaches like Freeman leading the way.