Shifting Fortunes: College Football’s Rising and Falling Stars

In January 2025, the Arizona State Sun Devils achieved a stunning entry into the College Football Playoff. This was just two years after the challenging Herm Edwards era ended. Coach Kenny Dillingham led them to a Big 12 championship. He did this despite NCAA sanctions and previous poor seasons. Players like Cam Skattebo, Jordyn Tyson, and Sam Leavitt were pivotal in this success.

Fast forward two years and the Sun Devils are now struggling with a 2-2 record. Their offense is underperforming. They recently suffered a significant loss to Baylor.

A year after Arizona State’s unexpected playoff journey, other coaches began to gain recognition. Jedd Fisch took over Washington in 2024, following a team that nearly clinched a national championship. Although his first season was a 6-7 record, he impressed in the following year with nine wins and a bowl victory against Boise State. Quarterback Demond Williams was a standout player.

Meanwhile, Brent Key revitalized Georgia Tech’s program. He developed an innovative offense featuring Heisman contender Haynes King. The team achieved its highest AP Poll ranking in two decades and ended the season ranked for the first time since 2014.

Washington, Arizona State, and Georgia Tech face challenges rebounding from impressive past seasons.

The ability for these programs to maintain consistent success is limited. Schools like Ohio State, Texas, Oregon, and Georgia have strong support systems. Teams like Washington and Georgia Tech must seize rare opportunities to excel.

In recent hiring cycles, Dillingham, Fisch, and Key were considered for prominent positions at major programs. Dillingham was speculated to replace Mike Norvell at Florida State. He was also linked to Michigan after they dismissed Sherrone Moore.

Fisch was thought to be a leading candidate for the Michigan job and the Florida opening. His connection to Florida as an alum made this particularly noteworthy.

Despite opportunities, these coaches chose to stay put, sometimes for personal reasons such as loyalty to alma maters. Questions linger over whether these decisions were wise. If their teams underperform this season, the chances of high-level job offers may diminish.

While all three coaches face uncertain futures, unpredictability remains a constant in coaching careers. A strong season in 2027 might open doors similar to what Matt Campbell experienced.

Campbell enjoyed success at Iowa State with standout seasons in 2020 and 2024. He declined several offers before accepting a position at Penn State when approached in 2025.

Ultimately, patience and loyalty are valued traits but can hinder progress for coaches aspiring to move up. Recent performance often dictates hiring decisions, setting the stage for current coaches to either secure top-tier opportunities or face setbacks as the season unfolds.