This is one outlet's own report from Newsweek — the article as it was filed. Other outlets are covering the same event; open the full story to compare every source side by side.
Three College Football Programs Poised to Rebound With New Coach
0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. The coaching carousel was packed last year, with 33 programs hiring a new head coach during the offseason.
With money pouring in to fund teams via NIL, there seems to be less patience with coaches who are underperforming. After Curt Cignetti won the national championship with Indiana in just his second season with the Hoosiers, more coaches will face pressure to have success early in their tenures.
All 33 programs with new head coaches will enter the fall with hope that things will be better under new leadership. Here are three college football programs that are poised to see a breakthrough with a new head coach.
More News: Three Teams That Can Win the Big 12
More News: Three Teams That Can Win the ACC Championship
Jon Sumrall has brought a lot of hype back to Florida early in his tenure, and the recruits are following. Sumrall had early success with both of his previous stops at Troy and Tulane. He led the Green Wave to the College Football Playoff last season.
The Gators fired Billy Napier amid a 3-4 start and finished the 2025 campaign with a 4-8 record. Sumrall should easily double the amount of wins for Florida this fall, but a CFP run might have to wait until 2027 when the program provides better resources for recruiting and the transfer portal.
LSU hired Lane Kiffin in the hopes of landing a sure thing after Brian Kelly's career went sideways in Baton Rouge. Kiffin led Ole Miss to the CFP last season, only to bolt for the Tigers before getting a chance to coach the Rebels in the playoff.
LSU immediately gave Kiffin vast resources to put together a solid roster for the fall. The Tigers might not have enough to win a national championship this season, but they should be in the running to win the SEC and make an appearance in the CFP.
Oklahoma State is flying under the radar this offseason. After a 1-11 season in 2025, that might seem fair. However, new head coach Eric Morris went 11-2 with North Texas last season. The Mean Green entered the American Conference championship against Tulane with a chance to make the CFP with a win, but fell to Sumrall's program 34-21.
Oklahoma State has one of the most exciting quarterbacks in college football after Drew Mestemaker transferred from North Texas. He threw for 4,379 yards, 34 touchdowns and nine interceptions last season.
The Cowboys might not be ready to win the Big 12, but they should be on the brink of a significant turnaround this fall.
AIPROPX is an independent multi-source news index — we track, compare, and connect coverage from across the web into one place you won't find anywhere else.
