College football's coaching carousel has been influenced by the retirement of iconic coach Nick Saban from Alabama, creating a ripple effect across the power conferences. Notable changes include Kalen DeBoer replacing Saban at Washington, Jedd Fisch becoming Washington's new coach, and Brent Brennan taking over the Arizona program. The coaching carousel has paused for now, providing grades and analysis for every filled vacancy.

By the Numbers
  • Ken Niumatalolo at UCLA: Grade C+
  • Pete Lembo at South Carolina: Grade C+
  • Major Applewhite at South Alabama: Grade B
  • Brent Brennan at San Jose State: Grade C+
  • Jedd Fisch at Arizona: Grade B+
  • Kalen DeBoer at Washington: Grade A
  • Mike Elko at Duke: Grade B+
  • Jonathan Smith at Oregon State: Grade A+
  • Jeff Lebby at Oklahoma: Grade C
  • David Braun at Northwestern: Grade B
  • Fran Brown at Georgia: Grade B-
  • Trent Bray at Oregon State: Grade B-
  • Curt Cignetti at James Madison: Grade A
  • Manny Diaz at Penn State: Grade B-
  • Sean Lewis at Colorado: Grade A-
  • Willie Fritz at Tulane: Grade A+
  • Spencer Danielson at Boise State: Grade B+
  • Scotty Walden at Austin Peay: Grade A-
  • Bryant Vincent at New Mexico: Grade B-
  • Derek Mason at Rick Stockstill: Grade A
  • Bronco Mendenhall at Danny Gonzales: Grade A+
  • Jay Sawvell at Wyoming: Grade C+
  • Bob Chesney at Curt Cignetti: Grade A+
  • Jon Sumrall at Troy: Grade A
  • Gerad Parker at Notre Dame: Grade B+
  • Jeff Choate at Texas: Grade A
  • Tony Sanchez at Jerry Kill: Grade D
State of Play
  • Nick Saban's retirement from Alabama forms a key narrative for this college football coaching carousel.
  • Washington's coaching changes with Kalen DeBoer and Jedd Fisch impact the team's future in the Big Ten.
  • Manny Diaz joining Penn State and Willie Fritz at Tulane are seen as significant moves for their respective teams.
  • Retentions and extensions of coaches such as Neal Brown and Dave Aranda reflect the shifting dynamics in college football programs.
What's Next

As the coaching carousel pauses, the impact of these coaching changes will unfold in the upcoming college football season, influencing team dynamics and performance.

Bottom Line

The retirement of Nick Saban and subsequent coaching changes have set the stage for a compelling shift in college football dynamics, with various programs gearing up for their next season under new leadership.