Hold onto your helmets, because the college football coaching carousel is about to spin into absolute chaos! Last year’s shuffle was a snooze fest—aside from the Bill Belichick bombshell—but this season promises fireworks. With four power-conference jobs already open and more teetering on the edge, we’re in for a wild ride. But here’s where it gets controversial: what if a single move sets off a domino effect that reshapes the entire sport? Buckle up as we explore a 49% tongue-in-cheek, 100% entertaining chain reaction that could send college football into orbit.
Let’s start with Taron Dickens of Western Carolina, who recently redefined quarterback greatness by completing 46 consecutive passes in a single game. His performance is a reminder of how one player can flip the script—and that’s exactly what we’re predicting for the coaching world. Our hypothetical scenario begins with UCLA poaching Kalani Sitake from BYU. Sitake’s 77–43 record with the Cougars, including three double-digit win seasons, makes him a hot commodity. Plus, his larger-than-life personality would be a perfect fit for the Los Angeles spotlight. But this move sets off a chain reaction that no one saw coming.
Step one triggers Steve Sarkisian’s escape from Texas to BYU, his alma mater. With the Longhorns struggling, Sark might be tempted by the chance to return home—especially with BYU’s wealthy alums making waves in the NIL market. Five-star quarterback Ryder Lyons’ commitment for 2026 only sweetens the deal. But Texas doesn’t stay quiet for long.
Lane Kiffin, the quarterback whisperer, leaves Ole Miss to take the reins in Austin. This move isn’t just about replacing Sark—it’s about unlocking the potential of Arch Manning, who’s already a household name. And this is the part most people miss: Kiffin’s departure opens the door for James Franklin to flee Penn State for Ole Miss. Franklin, who’s grown weary of the pressure in Happy Valley, sees this as his chance to prove he can win in the SEC—just as he did at Vanderbilt.
But wait, there’s more. With Franklin gone, Matt Rhule leaves Nebraska for Penn State, turning his November 22th game against the Nittany Lions into a high-stakes audition. Meanwhile, Missouri loses Eli Drinkwitz to Nebraska, where his recruiting prowess is exactly what the Cornhuskers need. Mizzou replaces him with Ryan Silverfield, but only after Memphis makes a surprise College Football Playoff run.
The chaos doesn’t stop there. Rhett Lashlee takes over at Arkansas, ending the Razorbacks’ Bobby Petrino obsession, while SMU settles for Shannon Dawson after failing to land bigger names. Hugh Freeze lands at Memphis, and Mark Stoops becomes Ohio State’s defensive coordinator, paving the way for Will Stein to take over at Kentucky. Even Florida survives another season with Billy Napier, but only if he pulls off a series of upsets that would make headlines nationwide.
And just when you think it’s over, Marcus Freeman leaves Notre Dame for the NFL, leaving the Fighting Irish to search for their next leader. But here’s the real question: Is this scenario as far-fetched as it seems, or is it a preview of the chaos to come? Let us know in the comments—do you think these moves could actually happen, or is this just a fun thought experiment? One thing’s for sure: college football never fails to keep us guessing.
