Several college football programs dismiss offensive and defensive coordinators after poor performance
Michigan, Oregon, Oklahoma State and other schools have terminated coordinators this season as their units struggled, highlighting the growing pressure on assistant hires in college football.
Michigan announced the termination of offensive coordinator Jason Beck, who arrived from Utah with head coach Kyle Whittingham. Beck, who led a top-10 offense the previous season, is owed more than $10 million for less than a year of service, a buyout reported as the largest for an assistant coach.
Oregon also dismissed offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer after his first season, and Oklahoma State fired defensive coordinator Todd Grantham after four games of a 1-11 campaign. Grantham’s unit surrendered 114 points in two games against Power-Four opponents, including a 69-3 loss to Oregon.
Other recent coordinator changes include USC’s removal of defensive coordinator Alex Grinch after the Trojans ranked 119th in total defense, North Carolina’s firing of offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens following a low-scoring start, and Oklahoma’s dismissal of offensive coordinator Seth Littrell after the Sooners posted their worst offense in more than six decades.
Additional terminations this year involve Clemson’s offensive coordinator Chad Morris, South Carolina’s offensive coordinator Mike Shula, Florida State’s defensive coordinator Tony White, and Texas A&M’s offensive coordinator Holman Wiggins, each cited for under-performing units and declining statistical rankings.
The series of dismissals underscores the heightened expectations placed on coordinators as programs seek rapid improvements amid intense competitive pressure.