December 11, 2025
Baylor is hiring former Kansas State and North Dakota State defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman as its new defensive coordinator, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel. Klanderman spent the last 12 years on Chris Klieman's staff with the Wildcats and Bison, including the last five seasons as the defensive play-caller at Kansas State. Klanderman has four FCS National Championship rings as a defensive back coach at NDSU. Baylor head coach Dave Aranda called defensive plays for the Bears last season, so it's unclear if he'll continue in that role or if Klanderman will run the defense in 2025. Baylor ranked near the bottom of the Big 12 in several defensive categories this season, and improving that unit will be important for Aranda's job security moving forward.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Pete Thamel - ESPN
December 11, 2025
Texas A&M defensive coordinator Jay Bateman is leaving College Station to become the next defensive coordinator at Kentucky under new head coach Will Stein, according to On3Sports. Bateman has spent the last four seasons in the SEC, beginning in 2022 as Florida's inside linebackers coach. He was brought to Texas A&M in 2024 under Mike Elko, but Elko has been the primary defensive play-caller. The 52-year-old was named a Broyles Award finalist in 2018 for leading the Army Black Knights to the No. 8 total defense in the country. In 2025, he helped Elko run the Aggies' defense to the No. 5 total defense in the SEC. This is a strong hire for Stein, who specializes on the offensive side of the ball.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: On3 on X
December 10, 2025
Longtime offensive coach Chip Kelly has interviewed for the Georgia Tech offensive coordinator job, according to On3's Pete Nakos. The 62-year-old was recently fired as the Las Vegas Raiders' offensive coordinator before the end of his first season. However, Kelly has enjoyed immense offensive success at the collegiate level during stops with Oregon, UCLA, and Ohio State. The Yellow Jackets lost play-caller Buster Faulkner to Florida this offseason, so Brent Key is looking to fill the big hole. Georgia Tech ranked second in the ACC in total offense (466.3) in 2025. The last time Kelly coached at this level, he led Ohio State to the No. 4 total offense (429.4) and the No. 2 scoring offense (35.7) in the Big Ten. The Buckeyes won the College Football Playoff National Championship and were a dominant force on offense in their four playoff wins.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Pete Nakos - On3Sports
December 10, 2025
Louisville wide receiver Chris Bell (knee) missed the Kentucky game due to an undisclosed injury. That injury is confirmed to be an ACL tear that he suffered against SMU on November 22. Bell was flying up draft lists in his senior season with the Cardinals. Bell finished with 72 receptions for 917 yards and six touchdowns, earning him All-ACC honors. Bell finishes his four-year career at Louisville with 151 receptions for 2,166 yards and 12 touchdowns. The tear is believed to be a "clean" one, meaning that there is minimal ligament damage, and he should make a full recovery. Bell was projected as a first-round pick, but that may change since he will likely be unable to perform at the NFL Draft Combine.
--Mike Marteny - RotoBallerSource: Adam Schefter
December 10, 2025
Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore has been relieved of his duties, effective immediately, according to On3.com. Michigan athletics director Warde Manuel confirmed that he was fired for cause after the University found "credible evidence" that Moore engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. The 39-year-old joined former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh's staff in 2018 and worked his way up to offensive coordinator in 2023. After Harbaugh left for the NFL following Michigan's 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship, Moore took over as the program's permanent head coach. Moore tallied a 16-8 record in 24 games as the acting head coach in Ann Arbor. Biff Poggi, who served as Michigan's head coach for two games this season, has been named the interim coach for the Citrus Bowl against Texas. Michigan will be on the search for a new head coach for 2026 and beyond.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: On3.com
December 10, 2025
Tennessee is expected to hire former Penn State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to the same position in Knoxville, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel. Head coach Josh Heupel fired Tim Banks after the Vols ranked near the bottom of the SEC in several key defensive statistics in 2025. This is a splash hire for Tennessee, which has struggled on defense during most of Heupel's tenure, with the exception of 2024. Knowles led Ohio State's defense to the No. 1 total and scoring unit in the Big Ten in 2024. In Knowles' final season as Oklahoma State's defensive coordinator in 2021, the Cowboys ranked 10th nationally in scoring defense (18.2). Based on Heupel's resume of high-powered offense, a strong defense under Knowles could propel Tennessee back into the College Football Playoff discussion in 2026.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Pete Thamel - ESPN
December 10, 2025
Penn State is not retaining standout defensive coordinator Jim Knowles under new head coach Matt Campbell, according to On3's Pete Nakos. The 60-year-old tenure in State College ends after just one season. Knowles is widely regarded as one of the best defensive coordinators in college football after excellent stints with Duke, Oklahoma State, and Ohio State, so he should have plenty of interest in his services. Knowles helped lead the Buckeyes to a College Football Playoff National Championship in 2024, as the Buckeyes led the Big Ten in total defense (254.6) and scoring defense (12.9) through 16 games. Penn State's defense did not live up to expectations under Knowles in 2025, but the entire team seemed to crumble after the narrow loss to Oregon in overtime in Week 5.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Pete Nakos - On3Sports
December 10, 2025
Indiana defensive lineman Stephen Daley (leg) is expected to be out for the remainder of the season after suffering a freak incident following the Big Ten Championship Game. The senior was seen limping into the medical tent after suffering an injury while walking around the stadium to give fans high fives. Needless to say, this is far from ideal ahead of a matchup with either Alabama or Oklahoma in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinals. Daley, a Kent State transfer, tallied 38 tackles (26 solo), 19 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles through the first 13 games of the season.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Alec Lasley - On3Sports
December 9, 2025
Notre Dame quarterback Kenny Minchey is entering the transfer portal after three seasons with the Irish, and he has already heard from schools in power conferences. According to On3.com, Florida, Wisconsin, Cincinnati, Texas Tech, and North Texas are programs to keep an eye on for his services. The 20-year-old lost the starting quarterback battle to redshirt-freshman CJ Carr in the preseason and is looking for a place to compete for QB1 duties. The Hendersonville, Tennessee native has completed 23 of his 26 passing attempts for 212 yards, zero touchdowns, and zero interceptions in his three-year career. He's added 96 yards and two scores as a runner.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: On3.com
December 9, 2025
According to Pete Nakos of On3Sports, former Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin and former Cal head coach Justin Wilcox could be potential top candidates for the vacant Washington State head-coaching job. The Cougars lost Jimmy Rogers to Iowa State after Matt Campbell left for Penn State, and the search is on to hire their fourth head coach since Mike Leach departed for Mississippi State in 2020. Harsin has 10 years of experience as a head coach between stints at Arkansas State, Boise State, and Auburn. He's compiled an 85-36 record, including four conference championships. He was let go at Auburn following a 3-5 start to the 2022 campaign. Wilcox was recently fired by Cal after nine seasons with the Golden Bears, following a 48-55 overall record. On3 also lists New Mexico head coach Jason Eck, Missouri offensive coordinator Kirby Moore, Montana State head coach Brent Vigen, and former Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith as potential fits for Washington State.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Pete Nakos - On3Sports
December 9, 2025
New Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding is hiring East Carolina offensive coordinator John David Baker to the same role in Oxford, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel. The 35-year-old joined Lane Kiffin's Rebels' staff in 2021 as the team's passing game coordinator and tight ends coach before being promoted to co-offensive coordinator in 2022. He left after the 2023 season to call plays for the Pirates as the sole offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Among American Conference teams in 2025, ECU ranked third in total offense (465.7), third in passing offense (280.7), and fifth in scoring offense (33.5). He will be tasked with replacing Kiffin and Charlie Weis Jr. as the primary offensive mind in Oxford following the team's 2025 playoff run.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Pete Thamel - ESPN
December 9, 2025
According to On3Sports' Pete Nakos, Virginia Tech is targeting Penn State co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Ty Howle as its next offensive coordinator. Howle worked under new Hokies' head coach James Franklin for six seasons. He started as an analyst in 2020 before becoming the tight ends coach in 2021. He received another promotion to co-offensive coordinator in 2023. Howle is a 34-year-old up-and-comer who is obviously familiar with Franklin, and he's credited with helping develop Brenton Strange, Theo Johnson, and Tyler Warren, all of whom were selected before Round 5 in the last three NFL Drafts.
UPDATE: Howle is officially joining Franklin's staff as Virginia Tech's offensive coordinator.--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: On3.com
December 8, 2025
We now have confirmation on which players will be invited to the Downtown Athletic Club on Saturday night in New York City for the Heisman Trophy presentation. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love are the four Heisman finalists for 2025. Mendoza led Indiana to its first conference championship in 58 years. He had 3,220 total yards with 39 total touchdowns to six interceptions. Sayin led FBS with a 78.4% completion percentage. He accounted for 3,321 yards and 31 touchdowns to six interceptions. Pavia scored 36 total touchdowns with 4,018 total yards and eight interceptions. Love finished fourth in FBS with 1,372 rushing yards. His 18 rushing touchdowns were third in FBS. The 2025 Heisman winner will be crowned at 8 p.m. Eastern on Saturday, December 13.
--Mike Marteny - RotoBallerSource: Pete Thamel on X
December 8, 2025
Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. is foregoing his final season of collegiate eligibility and entering the 2026 NFL Draft, the 20-year-old announced on X. Hill has been a steady presence at linebacker for the Longhorns since joining the program in 2023, compiling 249 tackles (136 solo), 31.5 tackles for loss, 17 sacks, three interceptions, four pass deflections, eight forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 40 career games. Hill earned freshman All-American honors in 2023 before a First-Team All-American campaign in 2024. This was an expected move for the junior, who is viewed by most as a top-40 prospect in next April's draft.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Anthony Hill Jr. on X
December 8, 2025
According to On3Sports' Chris Low, Washington's defensive coordinator is a name to "keep an eye on" for Tennessee's newly vacant defensive coordinator job. Head coach Josh Heupel fired Tim Banks on Monday after five seasons as the Volunteers' defensive play-caller, and the search is on to replace him. Walters was on staff with Heupel at Missouri from 2016 to 2017 before a stint as Illinois' defensive coordinator and Purdue's head coach. The 39-year-old had a strong first season with the Huskies in 2025, leading Washington to the No. 5 total defense (311.3), No. 4 rushing defense (103.5), and No. 6 scoring defense (19.4) in the Big Ten.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Pete Nakos - On3Sports
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