North Carolina has become the first power conference school to enter the coaching market as legendary coach Mack Brown will not be retained in 2025. With 14 coaching jobs open overall, 13 of which are Group of Five level, the carousel has started turning. Two of the 14 jobs have already been filled, with East Carolina opting to retain interim coach Blake Harrell and Rice hiring successful Davidson coach Scott Abell. The challenges of hiring at the Group of Five level have never been more complicated, with multiple sitting coaches leaving for power conference assistant positions. The profile of each job varies, from the prestigious North Carolina job to the unique challenges faced by programs like Kennesaw State, transitioning to FBS. The conference realignment and financial issues are key factors in hiring decisions.
In ranking the FBS job openings, North Carolina stands out as the top option, followed by programs like Fresno State and East Carolina. Each job presents different opportunities and challenges for prospective coaches, with factors like fan support, recruiting potential, and historical success playing a role in the rankings. Meanwhile, programs like Temple and UMass face significant challenges in terms of recent performance and resource allocation. The coaching carousel is in full swing, with each program looking for the right fit to lead them into the future.
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