2025 School Soccer Playoff Buzz: U-of-M Hires Whittingham’s Son; Sorsby Joins TTU

[ad_1] The 2025 School Soccer Playoff is upon us, and information surrounding the extremely anticipated event is nonstop with bowl season formally in full swing.

Here is the most recent on what's occurring across the league:

Utah hires its offensive coordinator Utah employed Kevin McGiven to be its subsequent offensive coordinator. McGiven was at San Jose State from 2018-2024, now he'll be part of Morgan Scalley's workers.

Sorsby, following a standout second 12 months, has reportedly made his choice to play a fifth collegiate season after committing to Texas Tech weeks after coming into the switch portal.

Sorsby, the highest accessible participant within the portal, additionally visited LSU, and even weighed the potential of coming into the 2026 NFL Draft. Sorsby led the Bearcats to a 7-1 begin earlier than ending 7-5 in 2025, and recorded 36 complete touchdowns to go along with 2,800 passing yards and a career-best 580 speeding yards.

Michigan hires former Kansas Metropolis Chiefs coach Michigan employed Kansas Metropolis Chiefs Assistant line of defense coach Alex Whittingham as its linebacker coach. Whittingham is the son of newly-hired Wolverines head coach Kyle Whittingham. Whittingham had been in Kansas Metropolis since 2018.

Ole Miss workers unsure after Kiffin-to-LSU transfer With Ole Miss getting ready for Miami (Fla.) within the Fiesta Bowl, head coach Pete Golding mentioned Saturday it will be as much as LSU to find out what number of of latest coach Lane Kiffin's assistants can proceed to teach their former group.

"They've each alternative like they've up up to now to have the ability to make that call," Golding mentioned throughout a School Soccer Playoff media video convention, per ESPN. "So week in and week out, I do not dictate whether or not they do this or not, as a result of they are not employed by me. Up up to now, that is the way it's been, and that is my expectation."

The information comes two days after Ole Miss and Golding's 39-34 upset CFP win over Georgia in a battle of the No. 6 vs. No. 3 seeds within the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 31.

Kiffin's workers is predicted to incorporate present Rebels offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr., tight ends coach/co-offensive coordinator Joe Cox, broad receivers coach/passing sport coordinator George McDonald and working backs coach Kevin Smith.

Kotelnicki returning to Kansas Andy Kotelnicki will return to Kansas as affiliate head coach after not being retained as offensive coordinator at Penn State, Jayhawks coach Lance Leipold introduced Friday.

Kotelnicki and Leipold have labored collectively a mixed 11 years at Kansas, Buffalo and Division III UW-Whitewater. Kotelnicki was Kansas' offensive coordinator for 3 years earlier than leaving for Penn State after the 2023 season.

"I care deeply in regards to the College of Kansas, and my household and I are thrilled to be again at a college that has been so good to us," Kotelnicki mentioned. "Working alongside Coach Leipold has been one of many highlights of my profession, and I’m excited to rejoin him and your complete workers at KU. I’m very grateful to Coach, Athletic Director Travis Goff and Chancellor Doug Girod for welcoming us again. I can’t wait to get to work."

Kotelnicki's 2022 and ‘23 offenses had been two of the three highest-scoring items in Kansas historical past, and the ’22 offense averaged a school-record 7.0 yards per play.

"We're excited to welcome Andy and his household again to Lawrence," Leipold mentioned. "Andy is conversant in our workers and tradition, has run profitable offenses for practically twenty years, and his expertise over the previous two seasons at Penn State will add to our program in a wide range of methods.'

Michigan hires Utah OC Jason Beck New Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham is including to his teaching workers with a well-recognized face, as Utah offensive coordinator Jason Beck is reportedly becoming a member of him on the Wolverines, per Whittingham himself throughout an look on ESPN.

Beck was on Whittingham's workers for the 2025 season solely, however made an impression, with Utah's offense rating among the many greatest within the FBS: it was fifth in complete yards per sport (478.6), second in speeding yards per sport (269.8) and fifth in scoring, at 41.1 factors per sport.

The 45-year-old Beck was beforehand the offensive coordinator at Syracuse and New Mexico earlier than arriving in Utah on Whittingham's workers, and was BYU's quarterback from 2004 by means of 2006 earlier than starting his teaching profession with the Cougars as a graduate assistant in 2007.

Robinson to stick with Florida State Florida State has its difference-maker again for 2026: Large receiver Duce Robinson is returning to highschool.

Robinson introduced Thursday that he was passing up the NFL draft to return to FSU for his senior season. The 6-foot-6, 223-pound Robinson was second within the Atlantic Coast Convention in receiving yards (1,081) and had six touchdowns in 2025. He averaged 19.3 yards per reception.

"This has actually been among the best years of my life," Robinson mentioned in a video posted on X. "I’m actually excited to have the ability to be a Seminole once more in 2026."

He was Florida State’s first 1,000-yard receiver since Tamorrion Terry in 2019 and the 14th one at school historical past.

A primary-team All-ACC choice, Robinson had 5 100-yard receiving video games. He additionally was praised by coach Mike Norvell for his perimeter blocking.

The Wildcats are hiring Kelly as their new offensive coordinator, per ESPN. Kelly will change offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Zach Lujan, who beforehand held the place beneath head coach David Braun at Northwestern since 2024. After serving as Ohio State's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in a 2024 season that noticed the Buckeyes win the Nationwide Championship, Kelly turned the offensive coordinator of the Las Vegas Raiders for the 2025 NFL season however was fired after the group's 2-9 begin.

Kelly beforehand had head-coaching stints at UCLA (2018-23), the San Francisco 49ers (2016), Philadelphia Eagles (2013-15) and Oregon (2009-12). Northwestern went 7-6 general and 4-5 in Large Ten play this season.

Indiana WR Cooper to play in Rose Bowl Omar Cooper Jr.’s game-winning catch for No. 1 Indiana in opposition to Penn State is the form of play that will get remembered endlessly, particularly if the Hoosiers go on to say their first nationwide title.

Cooper is prepared for the subsequent step in that School Soccer Playoff push, a quarterfinal sport on the Rose Bowl versus Alabama on Thursday, having recovered from a proper leg harm that knocked him out of the Large Ten championship victory over Ohio State within the first quarter on Dec. 6.

"I really feel so much higher this week," Cooper mentioned. "And this previous week, this entire month has been simply making an attempt to get relaxation as a lot as I can, after which making an attempt to work slowly again into seeing what I can do till I’m capable of absolutely observe and all the things. So this month has been good for me particularly, and I used to be grateful to have it, and now I’m wholesome."

The fourth-year junior had 58 receptions for 804 yards and 11 touchdowns through the 2025 common season.

Notre Dame restructures HC Marcus Freeman's contract Freeman has obtained a number of overtures from NFL groups to go away faculty soccer behind, per Sports activities Illustrated, however he will not be doing so. As an alternative, he'll return to Notre Dame for one more shot at a nationwide championship.

The varsity confirmed that Freeman obtained a restructured contract with "top-tier" compensation. Moreover, Freeman had one other 12 months added to the top of his contract, which now runs by means of 2031.

Whereas it's not identified precisely which different NFL groups Freeman rejected, he had just lately been linked to the New York Giants and even spoke about that connection in an interview with the New York Submit.

Freeman, who performed linebacker for Ohio State earlier than transferring into teaching, served as an assistant coach for Cincinnati, Kent State and OSU earlier than changing into the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Notre Dame. Notre Dame missed the CFP in 2025. The 12 months prior, Freeman's squad took on OSU within the nationwide championship.

Clemson strikes on from OC, safeties coach The Clemson Tigers fired offensive coordinator Garrett Riley and safeties coach Mickey Conn on Monday, head coach Dabo Swinney introduced.

Riley left TCU to hitch Clemson forward of the 2023 season, and helped the Tigers safe an ACC championship in 2024 and a School Soccer Playoff that very same season.

"I admire all of his efforts on behalf of our gamers and our program," Swinney mentioned about Riley. "Garrett is sensible, he’s acquired nice work ethic and he’s a terrific coach, however it simply didn’t work like we each wished. He’s acquired a tremendous profession forward and he’ll be a terrific head coach sooner or later."

Regardless of North Texas' thrilling win within the New Mexico Bowl on Dec. 27, there was a surge of Inexperienced Wave gamers coming into the switch portal. Quarterback Drew Mestemaker headlines that listing. The 6-foot-4, 211-pound Mestemaker — the nation's main passer in each yards (4,379) and touchdowns (34) — has three years of eligibility remaining.

Different names embody defensive lineman Joshua Pierce, who may have two years of eligibility remaining, per 247Sports. He totaled 14 tackles, 2.0 sacks and one compelled fumble this season. Large receivers Miles Coleman, Wyatt Younger and Terrence Lewis additionally plan to discover a new residence, per On3 and 247Sports. Coleman totaled 550 receiving yards and two touchdowns this season, whereas Younger put up 1,264 yards with 10 touchdowns. Lewis, a 6-foot, 170-pound true freshman, had 11 catches for 184 yards and three touchdowns this season. One other Imply Inexperienced true freshman star, working again Caleb Hawkins (1,804 yards and 29 touchdowns this season), can be hitting the portal, per On3.

Penn State will rent USC's defensive coordinator, D'Anton Lynn, to the identical function for 2026, per Centre Each day Instances.

Lynn performed for Penn State from 2008 by means of 2011 earlier than signing with the NFL's New York Jets as an undrafted free agent. He then turned his consideration to teaching, first changing into UCLA's defensive coordinator earlier than transferring on to USC for a similar place. He now finds himself at his third Large Ten faculty — his alma mater. Below Lynn in 2025, USC ranked forty eighth in yards allowed per sport (348.8) and forty ninth in factors per sport (22.4).

Quarterbacks making $5 million? The going price for a high-profile QB within the switch portal may very well be $5 million for a single season, in response to ESPN. Sam Leavitt, Dylan Raiola, DJ Lagway and Josh Hoover are among the many star signal-callers at the moment within the portal.

Michigan State hires Mike Bajakian as QB coach The Spartans are reportedly hiring Bajakian, UMass' offensive coordinator, as their quarterbacks coach beneath new head coach Pat Fitzgerald. Bajakian was beforehand an offensive assistant at Utah in 2024, preceded by being the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Northwestern from 2020 to 2023, amongst different positions. Bajakian coached beneath Fitzgerald, who was beforehand the Wildcats' head coach, from 2020 to 2022.

Ohio removes coach John Hauser's interim tag Hauser might be Ohio's head coach transferring ahead after having his interim tag eliminated on Dec. 26. Hauser was named the Bobcats' interim coach on Dec. 1 and led the group to a 17-10 victory over UNLV within the Frisco Bowl on Dec. 23.

"It is a particular place for my household and me, and we're proud to be a part of a group that cares so deeply about Ohio College and its soccer program," Hauser mentioned in a press release. "I stay up for hitting the bottom working with the group as we glance to construct on this system’s custom of success in 2026 and past."

Hauser got here to Ohio in 2022 because the Bobcats' safeties coach. He was promoted to defensive passing sport coordinator in 2023 and defensive coordinator earlier than the 2024 season. Hauser additionally was the affiliate head coach this season. The Bobcats (9-4) allowed solely 295.2 yards per sport this season, the eighth-best mark in FBS; the 17.46 factors allowed per sport was eleventh nationally.

Ohio was out there for a coach after it fired Brian Smith on Dec. 18 for trigger after partaking in "critical skilled misconduct and taking part in actions that mirror unfavorably on the College." The now-fired Smith was in his first season as Ohio's head coach, going 8-4 general and 6-2 in Mid-American Convention play this season.

Castellanos has dropped his enchantment for one more 12 months of school eligibility and declared for the 2026 NFL Draft.

The NCAA initially denied Castellanos' waiver request for a fifth season. Castellanos, who transferred to FSU final December after one 12 months at UCF and two at Boston School, argued that faculty soccer’s sanctioning physique ought to grant him one other season as a result of he performed in solely 5 video games with UCF in 2022. Castellanos performed in opposition to Tulane within the American Convention title sport after starter John Rhys Plumlee aggravated a hamstring harm. Backup Mikey Keene opted out of the sport as a result of he wished to protect a 12 months of eligibility earlier than coming into the switch portal.

Castellanos accomplished 58.3% of his passes for two,760 yards this season, with 15 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. He additionally led the Seminoles (5-7) with 557 yards speeding and 9 scores.

Wilson claims that the athletic division at Georgia is making an attempt to illegally punish him for coming into the switch portal in a lawsuit filed by the linebacker in state court docket in Boone County, Missouri. Wilson transferred to Missouri in January after signing a 14-month take care of Georgia's booster collective to capitalize on his identify, picture and likeness. He obtained $30,000 in an preliminary fee on a $500,000 deal earlier than coming into the switch portal.

Georgia filed a lawsuit final month claiming that Wilson owed its athletic division $390,000 in liquidated damages for leaving the group. Wilson's counterclaim says that his former faculty is utilizing such damages to "punish" him for his choice to go away.

Georgia spokesperson Steve Drummond mentioned the college had no remark as a result of it includes pending litigation. "When the College of Georgia Athletic Affiliation enters binding agreements with student-athletes, we honor our commitments and anticipate student-athletes to do the identical," Drummond mentioned of the college's preliminary lawsuit.

Delaware State HC DeSean Jackson staying put The Hornets have signed their head coach to a contract extension that retains Jackson with the group by means of the 2028 season, in response to The Philadelphia Inquirer. This season, Delaware State went 8-4 general and 4-1 in Mid-Jap Athletic Convention play in what was Jackson's first season on the helm. A 3-time Professional Bowler who primarily shined as a large receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles (2008-13 and 2019-20) and Washington Commanders (2014-16), Jackson was beforehand the pinnacle coach at Woodrow Wilson Classical Excessive College in 2024.

Ohio State HC Ryan Day taking on offensive play-calling Day will name the offensive performs for OSU within the CFP, starting with the Buckeyes' quarterfinal matchup in opposition to Miami within the Cotton Bowl on New Yr's Eve.

Brian Hartline was the offensive play caller through the common season however accepted the pinnacle teaching place at South Florida on Dec. 3; Hartline will stay on the Buckeyes' workers by means of the CFP as their broad receivers coach.

Day mentioned placing collectively the sport plan stays a bunch effort with co-offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Keenan Bailey, Carlos Locklyn (working backs), Billy Fessler (quarterbacks) and Tyler Bowen (offensive line) equally concerned. Day referred to as performs on offense the primary 5 years he was Ohio State's head coach. He turned over these duties to Chip Kelly in 2024 and gave them to Hartline this season when Kelly left for the NFL.

The No. 2 Buckeyes (12-1) go into the quarterfinals with the fifth-ranked offense of the remaining eight groups, averaging 429.5 yards per sport. No. 10 Miami (11-2) superior with a 10-3 victory over No. 7 Texas A&M on Dec. 20.

The Tar Heels have their new offensive coordinator, hiring former Missouri State and Louisville head coach Petrino, per On3. UNC fired 2025 offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens earlier in December after a single season within the function. Petrino was most just lately the interim head coach for Arkansas following Sam Pittman's firing in September.

UNC's offense was one of many worst within the nation, rating 131st out of 136 FBS groups in complete offensive yards per sport (288.8) and 129th in common first downs. They had been additionally simply 121st in factors.

Ex-Ole Miss HC Lane Kiffin will get bonus for Rebels' CFP win Kiffin is not in Oxford, however he is nonetheless profiting off Ole Miss' success. The brand new LSU head coach earned a $250,000 bonus from Ole Miss' 41-10 win over No. 11 Tulane within the first spherical of the CFP on Dec. 20, due to his contract with the Tigers. When Kiffin turned LSU's head coach, this system added to his contract that he would obtain no matter bonus cash he would've obtained at Ole Miss through the CFP. Kiffin introduced his intention to go away Ole Miss for LSU on Nov. 30, with the Rebels not permitting their head coach of six seasons to teach them within the postseason.

In different information, 5 Ole Miss coaches who're becoming a member of Kiffin's teaching workers at LSU are staying in Oxford by means of the CFP: offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr., assistant quarterbacks coach Dane Stevens, tight ends coach Joe Cox, broad receivers coach George McDonald and slot broad receivers coach Sawyer Jordan.

Arizona State HC Kenny Dillingham staying put The Solar Devils have signed Dillingham to a brand new contract that pays him $7.5 million per season, per ESPN. The 35-year-old, who's an ASU alum, is in his third season as the pinnacle coach of the Solar Devils, with this system profitable the Large 12, reaching the CFP and ending 11-3 in 2024; Dillingham received 2024 Large 12 Coach of the Yr honors. This season, Arizona State is 8-4 general, 6-3 in Large 12 play and wraps up its season within the Solar Bowl vs. Duke on Dec. 31.

Texas conserving QB Arch Manning, bringing again Will Muschamp as DC Manning is returning for his redshirt junior season with Texas, in response to ESPN. He has totaled 2,942 passing yards, 24 passing yards, seven interceptions and a 145.8 passer score by means of 12 video games, whereas finishing 61.4% of his passes in what's his first season as a full-time starter. He has additionally rushed for 244 yards and eight touchdowns.

In different information, Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian introduced that former coordinator and linebackers coach Muschamp is returning to the college to be the group's defensive coordinator. Muschamp was beforehand on the Longhorns' workers in 2008 because the group's defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. He helped them win the Large 12 Championship Recreation in 2009 earlier than advancing to the BCS Nationwide Championship Recreation in opposition to Alabama. Muschamp was imagined to be the successor to then-head coach Mack Brown each time he determined to retire. As an alternative, Muschamp was employed by Florida in 2011 and went on to have varied others stops within the SEC.

No. 13 Texas (9-3) will end out the season in opposition to No. 18 Michigan (9-3) within the Citrus Bowl on New Yr's Eve.

Kentucky HC Will Stein provides to his workers Stein has employed Cutter Leftwich to be Kentucky's offensive line coach and Joe Value III to be the broad receivers coach. Leftwich at the moment is Oregon's assistant offensive line coach and run sport coordinator; Stein had already employed Pat Biondo from Oregon as Kentucky's normal supervisor.

Leftwich has labored with Oregon's offense two of the previous three years, with a 12 months at North Texas as an offensive line coach. Stein labored with Value at UTSA and mentioned he is thrilled so as to add him to his Kentucky workers. Value has spent the final six seasons at UTSA, the final three as affiliate head coach, cross sport coordinator and receivers coach.

HC Skip Holtz leaving UFL for potential faculty soccer alternatives The Birmingham Stallions' head coach introduced that he is stepping down from his place however not retiring from teaching. Holtz mentioned he is "excited in regards to the subsequent steps" in his journey as he takes time to "pause" and "mirror" on potential faculty soccer head-coaching alternatives.

Holtz has been the Stallions' head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the reason that 2022 revival of the USFL (now the UFL) with Birmingham, most notably, profitable three consecutive championships from 2022-24. Final season, the Stallions went 7-3 earlier than being eradicated within the USFL division title sport.

Alabama dedicated to HC Kalen DeBoer Amid hypothesis that DeBoer was a prime candidate for the Penn State head teaching job (which has since been stuffed by Iowa State’s Matt Campbell) and that his identify had been floated for the Michigan head teaching job (which has since been stuffed by former Utah coach Kyle Whittingham), Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne posted on social media on Dec. 14 that the college was dedicated to conserving their coach.

"We're proud to have Coach DeBoer main our soccer program at The College of Alabama," Byrne wrote. "He's an unbelievable coach and does a wonderful job with the event of our student-athletes, each on and off the sector. Simply as he's dedicated to this group, we're dedicated to him."

DeBoer additionally posted a press release, shutting down rumors that he was transferring on. "My household and I are very glad in Tuscaloosa and stay extraordinarily grateful for the assist of president (Peter) Mohler, Greg Byrne, the board and so many others. … I've not spoken and have little interest in talking with anybody else about some other job. I'm absolutely dedicated to this program and stay up for persevering with as the pinnacle soccer coach on the College of Alabama."

Former Tulane HC Jon Sumrall endorses Will Corridor as subsequent HC with donation Tulane introduced on Dec. 15 that Sumrall and his spouse made a $100,000 contribution to the Inexperienced Wave Expertise Fund, an initiative meant to develop NIL alternatives for student-athletes and bolster the workers's means to recruit and compete. The transfer was made in assist of this system's subsequent head coach, Will Corridor, and can "instantly strengthen Tulane's means to recruit, retain, and develop championship-caliber student-athletes," per the college.

Tulane selected Dec. 8 to make Corridor, its passing sport coordinator and receivers coach, its subsequent head coach after the 2025 season ends within the CFP beneath the outgoing Sumrall, who accepted a proposal on Nov. 30 to take over at Florida however had been permitted to proceed teaching Tulane by means of the postseason. This season, Sumrall led Tulane (11-2) to its second American Convention championship in 4 years and first CFP look at school historical past.

The 45-year-old Corridor will change into the third Tulane coach since Willie Fritz left for Houston after the 2023 season.

Utah HC Kyle Whittingham steps down, Morgan Scalley promoted After 21 seasons at Utah, Whittingham is stepping down after teaching within the Las Vegas Bowl on New Yr's Eve, this system introduced on Dec. 12. The varsity then introduced on Dec. 13 that Scalley, the Utes' defensive coordinator, will take over as their full-time head coach thereafter. Scalley, who was a defensive again at Utah from 2001-04, has been on the Utes' teaching workers since 2007 and their defensive coordinator since 2016. He was reportedly the successor-in-waiting for when Whittingham in the end stepped down from his place.

Whittingham, 66, departs after a complete of 32 years with the Utes, beforehand serving as a place coach from 1994-2004. Utah recorded a profitable document in 18 of his 21 seasons, going 177-68 in that span.

Sellers is finalizing a deal to return to South Carolina for the 2026 season, in response to ESPN. In what was his redshirt sophomore season, Sellers totaled 2,437 passing yards, 13 passing touchdowns, eight interceptions and a 139.8 passer score in 2025, whereas finishing 60.8% of his passes. He additionally rushed for 270 yards and 5 touchdowns in what was a 4-8 season (1-7 in SEC play) for the Gamecocks. Sellers, a former four-star recruit, has been South Carolina's beginning quarterback the previous two seasons and a touted NFL quarterback prospect.

Finley is about to enter the portal, in response to On3, and might be required to file a waiver for a seventh 12 months of eligibility, as he seems to proceed his profession elsewhere after stints at LSU, Auburn, Texas State and Western Kentucky. Finley additionally transferred to Tulane after Western Kentucky in 2024 however was suspended indefinitely earlier than the season and by no means performed a sport for the Inexperienced Wave. In 2025, Finley noticed motion in seven video games and compiled 1,244 yards, six touchdowns and 7 interceptions with a 1-6 document. He turned eligible for a seventh season after struggling a season-ending harm with Western Kentucky in 2024 after enjoying in three video games.

Indiana extends DC Bryant Haines Indiana is extending Haines to a deal that makes him one of many highest-paid assistants in faculty soccer. Haines confirmed that he signed a brand new contract. Haines has been a fixture on head coach Curt Cignetti's teaching workers, serving as his defensive coordinator the previous two years at Indiana (2024-25) and the earlier two at James Madison (2022-23). He additionally coached beneath Cignetti at Elon (2017-18) and Indiana College of Pennsylvania (2014-15).

The Hoosiers held then-No. 1 Ohio State to 10 factors within the Large Ten Championship Recreation. Indiana is the No. 1 seed and the one undefeated Energy 4 program within the sport heading into the CFP.

In different information, Hoosiers defensive finish Stephen Daley is predicted to overlook the CFP after getting injured through the top-ranked Hoosiers' Large Ten title sport celebration, Cignetti introduced on Dec. 10. Daley appeared to land awkwardly on his proper leg whereas high-fiving followers moments after Indiana took down OSU to seize their first Large Ten title since 1967. Daley was a calmly recruited participant in his residence state of Virginia however performed a key function for Cignetti after transferring from Kent State to Indiana this season. He had 38 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, two compelled fumbles and one cross breakup this season, incomes all-Large Ten honorable point out honors.

Indiana has a first-round bye and can face No. 9 Alabama within the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1.

The Cougars introduced that they've employed Missouri offensive coordinator Kirby Moore as their subsequent head coach. Moore was Missouri's offensive coordinator for the previous three seasons (2023-25), whereas beforehand being an offensive assistant at Fresno State for six seasons (2017-22). Washington State misplaced head coach Jimmy Rogers to Iowa State within the wake of Matt Campbell departing Ames to take over at Penn State earlier this month.

Nebraska hiring DC Rob Aurich, OL coach Geep Wade San Diego State's Aurich will be part of Nebraska in the identical function, and the group additionally employed Georgia Tech's Wade to teach the offensive line. Aurich was on the Aztecs' workers for 2 years, with this his first as defensive coordinator. The Aztecs had one among FBS's prime defenses this 12 months, and Aurich was a nominee for the Broyles Award because the nation’s prime assistant coach. SDSU led the nation with three shutouts and held eight of 12 opponents to 10 or fewer factors. It ranked within the prime 10 nationally in 10 classes whereas posting the fifth-best scoring protection in Mountain West historical past. The 12.5 factors per sport allowed in 2025 ranked fifth nationally and was a 17-point enchancment from the 2024 season.

Wade, an FBS offensive line coach for 11 seasons, has developed linemen who've mixed for 23 all-conference awards, together with 9 All-ACC awards from 2023 to 2025.

Nebraska is coming off of a 7-5 season the place it completed tenth within the Large Ten whereas permitting 312.3 yards per sport, 171.3 of which had been speeding yards, together with 2.2 speeding touchdowns per sport.

Tennessee hires DC Jim Knowles Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel has employed Knowles because the group's new defensive coordinator. Heupel moved shortly after firing coordinator Tim Banks, and the Vols coach mentioned that hiring Knowles was a precedence from the beginning.

"Jim has a confirmed observe document of creating elite defenses that play with an edge, and we acquired to see that first-hand through the 2024 School Soccer Playoff," Heupel mentioned of the Vols' first-round loss to Ohio State a 12 months in the past.

Knowles has coached 38 years in faculty soccer, with 18 as a defensive coordinator. He spent this season at Penn State and was at Ohio State between 2022 and 2024, serving to the Buckeyes win the 2024 nationwide championship. Throughout his time at OSU, the Buckeyes allowed solely 14.9 factors and 278.7 yards per sport over a three-year span with Knowles. Ohio State went 36-6, and Knowles coached 11 NFL draft picks.

Michigan fires HC Sherrone Moore The Wolverines have fired Moore "for trigger" after two seasons as their head coach, in response to ESPN.

"Following a College investigation, credible proof was discovered that Coach Moore engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a workers member," the college mentioned in a press release. "This conduct constitutes a transparent violation of College coverage, and U-M maintains zero tolerance for such habits. Biff Poggi has been appointed head soccer coach in an interim capability, efficient instantly."

Moore had been on Michigan's teaching workers since 2018, beforehand serving because the group's offensive coordinator, offensive line coach and tight ends coach earlier than changing into the full-time head coach for the 2024 season. Michigan is 9-3 general this season, ranked No. 18 and went a mixed 17-8 beneath Moore over the previous two seasons.

Baylor names new AD Baylor athletics administrator and graduate Doug McNamee was named the college's athletic director on Dec. 8. He replaces Mack Rhoades, who stepped down for private causes final month after 9 years; Rhoades had additionally been chairman of the CFP choice committee.

McNamee was the senior affiliate athletic director for exterior affairs at Baylor in 2018, when he was answerable for all main revenue-generating and brand-facing items, together with fundraising, advertising and marketing, communications and premium ticketing. He performed a key function within the fundraising, planning and opening of McLane Stadium over a decade in the past.

The Related Press contributed to this report.

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