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Predicting College Football’s Power 5 Job Openings

By Andrew Miller

Nov 4, 2023; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher reacts during the first half against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 4, 2023; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher reacts during the first half against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Michigan State's Cal Haladay, left, celebrates with Malik Spencer after Haladay's fumble recovery against Nebraska
Michigan State’s Cal Haladay, left, celebrates with Malik Spencer after Haladay’s fumble recovery against Nebraska during the fourth quarter on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. /

Known college football Power 5 job openings

We currently have two Power 5 job openings, both in the Big Ten: Northwestern and Michigan State. Northwestern announced the firing of Pat Fitzgerald late in the offseason due to allegations of rampant hazing within their program. Michigan State fired Mel Tucker in September after reports surfaced of inappropriate conduct by Tucker.

Northwestern’s chances at landing a big name seem slim. Fitzgerald did an outstanding job there for many years, but the changing landscape of the sport makes it a less-desirable job. Their high academic standards already limit their recruiting potential, but the transfer portal has made things more difficult. Their donor base isn’t the type to create major NIL opportunities. And with the Big Ten eliminating divisions and adding the Pac-12’s top programs, Northwestern’s likelihood of being a program coaches can win at seems low.

The only real draw to the job is that it’s a Big Ten gig, so the paycheck could be significant. But that alone is unlikely to draw a coveted coaching candidate. Given that interim-HC David Braun has the Wildcats with four wins and a feasible path to bowl eligibility, it wouldn’t be shocking if Northwestern simply promoted him to the full-time job.

Michigan State, on the other hand, could be a program that lands a big name coach. The Spartans have, at their best, won Big Ten titles in recent memory, reaching the playoff in 2015. In 2021 they won 11-games and with a New Years Six bowl victory. And this is a program that isn’t afraid to pay big for a coach. Mel Tucker’s contract was worth $95 million, and lucky for them, they no longer have to pay that buyout.

Like Northwestern, Sparty’s conference standing takes a hit with the additions of USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington to the league. But it’s within the realm of possibility for Michigan State to still be a program that can contend for the 12-team playoff going forward. I’d expect a good hire in East Lansing.

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