Few issues stay recognizable in school soccer in 2024, however no less than one factor stays fixed: The teaching carousel is all the time spinning.
Inevitably, groups will select to half methods with their present teaching employees and embark on a brand new, extra thrilling period whereas hoping they don’t discover themselves again in the identical spot only a few years later.
One coach was fired earlier than the 2024 season even started, as Utah State’s Blake Anderson was let go in July for allegedly failing to comply with his contractual obligations concerning the reporting of sexual misconduct allegations. And Fresno State’s Jeff Tedford resigned in July resulting from well being causes.
The timing of teaching searches within the sport will definitely change this season due to the expanded Faculty Soccer Playoff. Coaches of groups collaborating within the 12-team discipline gained’t be out there till after the primary spherical no less than, which comes after early signing day the primary week of December.
However that gained’t cease athletics administrators from making mid-season modifications in an try to get a leg up within the teaching market. With that in thoughts, right here’s each coach who has retired, resigned or been fired up to now in 2024.
Jeff Tedford, Fresno State
BOISE, ID – DECEMBER 03: Head Coach Jeff Tedford of the Fresno State Bulldogs suffers by means of a Gatorade bathtub throughout the second-half of the sport in opposition to the Boise State Broncos at Albertsons Stadium on November 25, 2022 in Boise, Idaho. Fresno State gained the sport 28-16. (Picture by Loren Orr/Getty Photographs)
On the age of 63, Tedford resigned from his submit at Fresno State on July 15, paving the best way for linebackers coach Tim Skipper to take the reins on an interim foundation. Tedford, who was beforehand the coach at Cal for among the Golden Bears’ finest seasons, went 44-22 with three bowl wins at Fresno.
Blake Anderson, Utah State
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Anderson was fired forward of the 2024 season in July after being positioned on administrative depart, with Utah State writing in a press launch that he “did not handle the workforce in a fashion that displays USU’s educational values.” Defensive coordinator Nate Dreiling took over as interim coach for the 2024 season.
Anderson, who beforehand coached at Arkansas State from 2014-20, went 11-3 with a Mountain West title in his first season in 2021 however completed 6-7 with bowl losses in every of the final two seasons.
Will Corridor, Southern Miss
Sep 16, 2023; Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA; Southern Miss Golden Eagles head coach Will Corridor appears to be like on from the bench within the second half in opposition to the Tulane Inexperienced Wave at M.M. Roberts Stadium.
Southern Miss pulled the plug on the Will Corridor period on Oct. 20, the morning after a 44-28 house loss to Arkansas State. Corridor, a former offensive coordinator at Tulane and Louisiana, was 14-32 throughout 4 seasons. The lone shiny spot was 2022, which featured a 7-6 end after a win within the LendingTree Bowl.
Mike Houston, East Carolina
Sep 14, 2024; Greenville, North Carolina, USA; East Carolina Pirates head coach Mike Houston appears to be like on in opposition to the Appalachian State Mountaineers throughout the first half at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Necessary Credit score: James Guillory-Imagn Photographs
Houston had a ton of success as a coach earlier than arriving in Greenville, North Carolina, taking Lenoir-Rhyne to the Division II nationwide championship, taking The Citadel to the FCS Playoffs and successful an FCS title with James Madison in 2016.
He by no means fairly replicated that kind of successful for the Pirates. ECU went 8-5 and gained the Birmingham Bowl in 2022 however adopted that up with a 2-10 end in 2023. East Carolina received off to a 3-4 begin earlier than Houston was fired on Oct. 20 after shedding 45-28 to Military. For followers of the ECU, Houston’s greatest sin was how the Pirates carried out in opposition to in-state opponents, going a mixed 0-7 in opposition to N.C. State, Appalachian State and Charlotte throughout his tenure.
Replace: Nov. 27, 2024 — After going 4-0 since taking on for Houston on an interim foundation, ECU made former defensive coordinator Blake Harrell the full-time head coach.
Mike Bloomgren, Rice
Oct 26, 2024; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Rice Owls head coach Mike Bloomgren watches from the sideline as they tackle the Connecticut Huskies at Rentschler Subject at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. Necessary Credit score: David Butler II-Imagn Photographs
It felt like Bloomgren lived on the new seat for a number of seasons at Rice, however the Owls lastly reduce him free on Oct. 27 after a 17-10 loss at UConn. Bloomgren, a former understudy of David Shaw at Stanford, by no means had a successful season in seven years at Rice and went 24-52.
Brian Bohannon, Kennesaw State
Kennesaw State head coach Brian Bohannon on the sidelines throughout the soccer sport in opposition to Center Tennessee at MTSU, on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024.
Kennesaw State introduced on Nov. 10 that Bohannon resigned, however the coach stated that he was fired. However, he’s out after main the Owls for 11 years, from the inception of this system to its transition to FBS. Bohannon led the Owls to 3 Massive South Championships and a pair of appearances within the FCS quarterfinals, however by no means gained on the similar frequency on the FBS degree. The Owls had been 1-8 this season when Bohannon was let go.
Replace: Dec. 1, 2024 — Kennesaw State has employed Jerry Mack as its subsequent head coach. The 44-year-old was working because the working backs coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars this season and was beforehand an assistant at Tennessee, Rice, South Alabama and Memphis. He was final a head coach from 2014 to 2017, the place he led FCS North Carolina Central. He had a 31-15 file in 4 seasons, appeared in a Celebration Bowl and was named MEAC Coach of the Yr in 2016.
Mike Neu, Ball State
Ball State head coach Mike Neu leads his workforce out to face Vanderbilt at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024.
A former MAC MVP for Ball State, the Cardinals let Neu go after a 51-48 additional time loss to Buffalo that ensured a 3rd straight bowl-less season. Neu went 40-63 in 9 seasons main Ball State.
Stan Drayton, Temple
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 23: Head coach Stan Drayton of the Temple Owls appears to be like on in opposition to the Miami Hurricanes within the first half at Lincoln Monetary Subject on September 23, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Picture by Mitchell Leff/Getty Photographs)
The Owls beat FAU on Nov. 16, however Temple determined to fireplace Stan Drayton the subsequent day anyway, starting its third teaching search since 2018 when Geoff Collins left for Georgia Tech. Drayton, a longtime school and NFL working backs coach earlier than getting the highest job at Temple, went 9-25 in slightly below three seasons as a head coach.
Don Brown, UMass
Oct 14, 2023; College Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Massachusetts Minutemen head coach Don Brown appears to be like on from the sideline throughout the first quarter in opposition to the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Massachusetts 63-0. Necessary Credit score: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports activities
Two days after a 35-34 additional time loss to Liberty, Don Brown’s second tenure as the pinnacle coach of the Minutemen got here to an finish. Brown led UMass to an FCS title sport look again in 2006, however he nor the Minutemen have been capable of recreate successful methods. UMass was 6-28 over the previous three seasons below Brown, with simply two wins in opposition to fellow FBS opponents.
Tom Herman, FAU
Nov 1, 2024; Boca Raton, Florida, USA; Florida Atlantic Owls head coach Tom Herman on the sidelines throughout the second half in opposition to the South Florida Bulls at FAU Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Photographs
Herman will proceed to make some huge cash to not coach. Amidst a five-game shedding streak and an 18-15 loss to Temple, FAU reduce Herman free on Nov. 18, lower than two full seasons into his gig in Boca Raton. Herman was 6-16 over the previous two seasons, by no means recreating the success he had at Texas or Houston, the place he went 5-1 in bowl video games.
Extra importantly, the firing of Herman implies that each FBS program with Owls for a nickname has fired their coach this season (FAU, Kennesaw State, Rice and Temple).
Biff Poggi, Charlotte
Oct 19, 2024; Annapolis, Maryland, USA; Charlotte 49ers head coach Biff Poggi appears to be like on throughout the second half in opposition to the Navy Midshipmen at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Photographs
The Biff Poggi experiment has come to an finish in Charlotte. Poggi, a 64-year-old Baltimore native with an affinity for sleeveless shirts, was beforehand a really profitable highschool coach in Maryland and an assistant at Michigan earlier than the 49ers took a big gamble on him lower than two years in the past. Except for notching two wins in opposition to in-state foe East Carolina, there wasn’t a lot success for Charlotte below Poggi, who didn’t make life simpler for himself as he publicly known as out followers and media members. The 49ers went 6-16 in Poggi’s two seasons, and he was fired after a 59-24 loss to South Florida that eradicated Charlotte from bowl eligibility.
Jim McElwain, Central Michigan
Sep 14, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Central Michigan Chippewas head coach Jim McElwain throughout the second half in opposition to the Illinois Preventing Illini at Memorial Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Ron Johnson-Imagn Photographs
Central Michigan introduced on Nov. 20 that McElwain is retiring from soccer after teaching the Chippewas for six seasons. He led Central Michigan to a 9-4 mark and a Solar Bowl win in 2021, however hasn’t been capable of maintain that success, posting three straight shedding seasons.
Earlier than Central Michigan, McElwain coached at Colorado State and Florida. The 62-year-old has a 77-63 total file. He was the SEC Coach of the Yr in 2015 and he additionally had stops at Alabama and Michigan as an assistant.
Kevin Wilson, Tulsa
Sep 14, 2024; Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA; Tulsa Golden Hurricane head coach Kevin Wilson throughout warmups earlier than a sport in opposition to the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Skelly Subject at H.A. Chapman Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Brett Rojo-Imagn Photographs
Tulsa fired Wilson after lower than two full seasons on the job on Sunday, Nov. 24 after shedding 63-30 at USF. Wilson, who coached at Indiana from 2011 to 2016, went 7-17 whereas main Tulsa.
Mack Brown, North Carolina
Nov 2, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; North Carolina Tarheels head coach Mack Brown throughout warmups earlier than a sport in opposition to the Florida State Seminoles at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Robert Myers-Imagn Photographs
Mack Brown’s second run at North Carolina is ending, regardless of the 73-year-old coach just lately saying he meant to return. The varsity introduced it fired Brown in Week 14, and it’s the primary Energy 4 opening of the 2024-25 teaching carousel.
After beforehand teaching the Tar Heels from 1988-1997, Brown returned for the 2019 season and coached the workforce to 6 bowl sport berths in that stretch, together with this season. He has a 113-78-1 total file with North Carolina and was 44-32 in his second stint, however within the final couple years, this system has struggled, ending 8-5 in 2023 and at present having a 6-5 file in 2024 forward of the regular-season finale in opposition to NC State.
Gus Malzahn, UCF
Sep 30, 2023; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights head coach Gus Malzahn walks the sideline throughout the second half in opposition to the Baylor Bears at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports activities
ESPN reported on Saturday, Nov. 30 that Malzahn is resigning as UCF’s head coach to turn into the offensive coordinator at Florida State. UCF went 4-8 this season — its worst mark in 4 seasons below Malzahn — after shedding 28-14 to Utah in its common season finale.
Malzahn took the reins of the Knights in 2021 and helped them transition from the American Athletic Convention to the Massive 12. In 4 seasons, he went 28-24 with three bowl appearances. Earlier than his tenure at UCF, Malzahn was at Auburn for eight seasons and Arkansas State for one. He was the offensive coordinator for Auburn’s nationwide championship workforce in 2010.
Ryan Walters, Purdue
WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 30: Head coach Ryan Walters of the Purdue Boilermakers is seen throughout the second half in opposition to the Illinois Preventing Illini at Ross-Ade Stadium on September 30, 2023 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Picture by Michael Hickey/Getty Photographs)
In accordance with experiences from NBC and ESPN, Purdue gave Ryan Walters his strolling papers on Sunday, Dec. 1. The Boilermakers had been, fairly merely, one of many worst groups in all of faculty soccer this season, going 1-11. The workforce wasn’t a lot better final season, going 4-8. So, for the second time in two years, Purdue is in search of a head coach. Walters took over in 2023 after Jeff Brohm left for Louisville.
Neal Brown, West Virginia
Nov 12, 2022; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Neal Brown watches throughout warmups previous to their sport in opposition to the Oklahoma Sooners at Mountaineer Subject at Milan Puskar Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports activities
In accordance with a number of experiences on Sunday, Dec. 1, WVU is firing Brown, lower than a 12 months after giving him an extension. The Mountaineers completed this common season, Brown’s sixth in Morgantown, with a 6-6 file after they received blown out 52-15 by Texas Tech within the common season finale. Brown completed above .500 in a single season simply as soon as at WVU. That was final 12 months when the Mountaineers went 9-4 and beat North Carolina within the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
Mike MacIntyre, FIU
Nov 18, 2023; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; FIU Panthers head coach Mike MacIntyre throughout the second half in opposition to the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas gained 44-20. Necessary Credit score: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports activities
After three consecutive 4-8 seasons, MacIntyre is out at FIU. The previous Colorado and San Jose State coach was certainly one of a number of coaches within the FBS fired on Sunday, Dec. 1. FIU hasn’t had a successful season since 2018.
