This season, Oklahoma State shocked the college football world by making a move few could have predicted: the midseason firing of legendary head coach Mike Gundy. For decades, college football has been known for its patience with longtime coaches, particularly those who have delivered consistent success. But Gundy’s departure, coming early in the season, might signal the beginning of a new era where even iconic figures aren’t safe from midseason exits.
The move, initially shocking, now feels less surprising as the trend seems to be gaining momentum. Other big-name coaches have joined the list of midseason casualties, including James Franklin at Penn State, Billy Napier at Florida, and most recently Brian Kelly at LSU. What was once rare in college football is now becoming a pattern, suggesting that the traditional loyalty programs had to their head coaches may be giving way to more immediate expectations for success. The firings of these notable head coaches for big named, blue blood programs continue to get more surprising each week that passes by. These coaches are having a hard time keeping their players motivated and in an era of NIL and paying players, the money they're being paid should mean they need to start showing more maturity in their play.
Several factors contribute to this shift. The growth of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals has increased pressure on programs to perform, as donors and boosters now have more financial and symbolic investment in the success of their teams. Revenue sharing and expanded media rights deals mean programs can afford the costly buyouts that historically kept coaches in place despite underperformance. With donors increasingly acting like stakeholders, there’s added pressure to make bold decisions, even midseason, to protect the program’s value and reputation. The pressure on these coaches to produce are at an all time high. The coaching carousel might be the craziest we've ever seen in college football and even programs with their "guy" should be worried of losing him with each firing that continues to happen from here on out. No one is safe.
Oklahoma State may have been the first domino to fall, but the trend seems poised to continue. College football fans might need to get used to the idea that no coach, no matter their tenure or legacy, is immune to midseason scrutiny. In an era where performance, revenue, and donor expectations collide, the Gundy firing may not just be a shock but it could be a harbinger of a new norm in the sport.