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craig haubert
Carousel Coaching in College Football Change occurred at an unprecedented rate during the 2025 season. Managing a recruiting class can be a difficult challenge for new employees, who have little or no time to work between the time of hiring and the initial signing period.
Most programs use the transfer portal to address major deficiencies, but the main foundation of building a program is the high school talent pipeline, which is still the key to maintaining success and avoiding another coaching change in the near future.
Here are 10 Power 4 programs that have undergone a coaching change and have done the best job of navigating a challenging transition period while assembling young, prep talent to build for future success as a new era begins.
current class rank:23
James Franklin is taking revenge on the recruiting process, at the expense of his former employer, Penn State. Franklin took over Virginia Tech in November and turned an undrafted recruiting class into one of the top 25 groups in the country coming out of the early signing period.
Much of that success came from raiding Penn State’s class, which was once ranked in the top 10 before Franklin’s dismissal. Franklin has flipped at least 10 former Nittany Lions commitments, including five of his six ESPN SC Next 300 signings.
Franklin’s victory extends beyond just the Penn State flip. He also had significant wins at state, including bringing home SC Next 300 offensive tackles thomas wilder Back to the bottom. Wilder, a top-10 prospect from Virginia, decommitted from the Hokies in the early fall. Franklin also placed high three-star defensive tackle t-ron richardson Richardson was home after committing to Oklahoma for months.
current class rank: number 50
Sam Pittman put together one of the better recruiting classes in the country last spring, but his dismissal in late September resulted in the commitment of several guys and derailed a solid group. Silverfield, who came from Memphis, has embarked on a rapid resurgence, focused on winning the recruiting battle in his backyard and leveraging the relationships and successes that have made him a well-known figure in the Razorbacks’ footprint.
Six of Arkansas’ top seven high school prospects are in-state. wide receiver dequen prevo There was one holdover, but Silverfield landed the No. 1 player in the state at defensive tackle danny bealWithin hours of being named head coach. Beale is a thickly built 300-pounder with good strength and agility.
Silverfield strengthens defensive line by bringing in home tackle anthony kennedyA former Miami commit, and running back the state’s top ranked player, terry hodgesFrom SEC rival Missouri. While this class still lags far behind the SEC, Silverfield has executed a smart game plan in a short period of time to get the Razorbacks back to the middle of the pack nationally, showing signs of what he can do moving forward.
current class rank: number 14
Kiffin’s hiring put the Tigers’ high school recruiting class back in the spotlight when several potential candidates, including the No. 1 player, lamar brownNot signed immediately during initial period.
But LSU’s class soon stabilized itself and Kiffin put together the Tigers’ high school group in an uneventful fashion.
While inheriting a talented group of prospects from Louisiana may not seem remarkable, there is ample evidence throughout the game of how a coaching change can turn a recruiting class upside down. Putting together a top-15 class is a win. Kiffin also has several quality additions, including SC Next 300 tight end jesse andersonA Flip from Ole Miss That Fits a Necessity bauer sharp moving on, Donovan Green transfer and Trade’s Green Entering his junior year.
current class rank: number 15
The recruiting efforts of John Sumrall and his staff managed to put together a group that was consistently ranked in the top 10 to 15 classes in the country under Billy Napier, even despite on-field struggles.
Compared to programs like Penn State, Arkansas and Oklahoma State – all of which saw their recruiting classes explode – Florida was far more stable. The Gators lost only one notable commitment at running back. carsin becker for Texas A&M, and exited the early signing period with a class of 12 ranked prospects, headlined by five-star defensive end jerelan mccoy.
While it’s not the flashiest rebuild to date, Sumrall’s steady transition and impressive foundation of talent development stands out.
current class rank: number 26
Ole Miss moved quickly to install Golding as Kiffin’s replacement, and its decisiveness paid off. Golding led the Rebels to the pinnacle of a national title while keeping a strong recruiting class together.
Yes, they lost some commitments, including three commitments from LSU, which caused a slight drop in the rankings, but the bulk of the class remained intact.
The Rebels signed six of their top seven SC Next 300 prospects who had committed prior to the coaching change, including the state’s top-ranked running back. Damarius Yates. with primary rusher kevan lacy All but two redshirt senior backups were returning, with Yates in critical condition. Golding also flipped the four-star receiver jace matthews Auburn to cope with loss of four-star wide receiver Kori BarberWho transferred to LSU.
current class rank: number 29
After three head coaching changes in four years, a resurgence could be coming for Stanford after the Cardinal quietly added a top-30 class.
Pritchard holds on to several quality prospects, including SC Next 300 safety Lacia JacksonMaintaining the building blocks along an offensive line like a four-star jalayne miller and top-25 guards blaise thomas.
A former quarterback, Pritchard worked with general manager and program veteran Andrew Luck to strengthen the position and soon became the state quarterback. Michael Mitchell Jr.. A small but smooth passer, Mitchell was a two-time UA Next Camp MVP during his final two years of high school. Stanford also added perimeter talent at large, wide receiver during the early signing period zion robinson And dre pollardWho brings speed and versatility at wide receiver or cornerback.
current class rank: number 34
With five SEC programs ranked in the top 10 recruiting classes, will Auburn’s incoming group quickly turn things around? Probably not. But the Tigers haven’t won more than six games since 2019 and fell out of the top 50 in ESPN’s recruiting rankings before the early signing period. Viewed in that context, Golesh’s early progress represents a strong start.
The Tigers retained a trio of ranked linebackers: Jacquez Wilkes, Shadarius Toodle And Adam Balogun-Ali. They also added a pair of defensive tackles who were moved elsewhere Tevian branch (Penn State) and corey wells (Texas). But Auburn’s real progress came after the early signing period ended. Tigers take advantage of unexpected turmoil at Michigan to flip offensive lineman bear mcwhorter and wide receiver brady marches After Sharon Moore was fired. Golesh Marches can be used as a fast, big-game option that has been recorded at over 22 mph in games.
current class rank: number 51
Steen ushered in a new era at Kentucky following the 13-year tenure of Mark Stoops. The Wildcats’ recruiting class ranked lowest in the SEC after the early signing period, but the new administration found ways to elevate the group. holding the quarterback Matt Poniatowski It was a big victory. A mobile, savvy passer, Poniatowski was Ohio’s 2024 Gatorade Player of the Year in both football and baseball.
While Kentucky lost a wide receiver dallas dickerson To Georgia, Stein maintains long-term commitment denarius grayA battle-tested receiver from South Florida power Chaminade-Madonna. Wildcats also add former LSU commitment kenny darbyWho caught over 80 passes for 1,000 yards as a senior. Landing SC Next 300 Corner andre clarkeJoe committed to Michigan before the coaching change, another excellent move.
current class rank:NR
Make no mistake: Morris has a long road ahead, and Oklahoma State’s class is far behind the top groups in the Big 12. But Morris also walks into arguably the toughest recruiting situation for any new coach this cycle, taking over a class with fewer than 10 players after the Cowboys suffered a serious assault following the firing of Mike Gundy and a winless stretch through August.
Morris has since shifted the narrative. Overturning Oklahoma State’s prior commitment kaydin jones Coming back from Kansas was an important initial step. Jones is a productive running back with good vision from Jenks High School, one of Oklahoma’s top programs. Morris also added immediate defensive help at linebacker. Taurean DavisTop 10 junior college prospect.
Morris, known for identifying and developing neglected talent during his time at North Texas, brought many of those players with him, including promising three-star additions such as offensive linemen and defensive tackles. Ryan Mosley and quarterback Broderick Wehrs.
current rank: number 57
Lupoi arrives with a reputation for building deep recruiting relationships after a stint as Oregon’s defensive coordinator, and there is optimism he can establish a more consistent high school pipeline.
Maintaining the status quo proved to be the biggest victory. The Golden Bears did not make any spectacular additions during the transition, but Lupoi’s appointment did not disrupt the classroom, and no players departed during the window after being named head coach. Sometimes the best starting point is consistency. Spotlight on four-star tight end with a solid high school class Taimane Purcell Out in Hawaii, a new era is underway in Berkeley.
