Programs were reluctant to pull the trigger on hot-seat coaches, leaving a few big openings waiting for another year. As a result, only five Power Four jobs changed hands. Out of the malaise, there were a few really interesting swings.
Jake Dickert at Wake Forest ended up being the hire of the cycle. There were a few interesting hits at the Group of Six level, including New Mexico's Jason Eck emerging as one of the breakout stars of the cycle. On Wednesday, Sam Houston's Phil Longo was the first member of the post-2024 coaching cycle fired.
He posted a 3-17 record in less than two seasons, earning one of two Fs on our list. Here's how we grade all 25 second-year college football coaches. Like many coaches, Belichick's transition to college football was a rocky one.
The staff underestimated the speed and breadth of roster building during their first portal window, ultimately leaving them with a lackluster roster and a disappointing 4-8 season. But since then, Belichick has adjusted. Even with defensive coordinator Steve Belichick and general manager Michael Lombardi both sidelined with off-field issues, the Tar Heels have built a competitive squad.
North Carolina is 4-3, with their two ACC losses coming by a combined nine points. As one of the youngest rosters in the country, even more is possible in 2027. Grade: B Dickert did a solid job at Washington State, but his hiring at Wake Forest didn't exactly make headlines.
Two years into the job, he has established himself as one of the rising stars in college football. At one of the least-resourced programs in the Power Four, Dickert has reached a 15-5 start and a No. 14 ranking in the AP Top 25. The only loss came in a tight game against Miami, while the Demon Deacons have won their last three games by an average of 37.3 points per game.
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