College football coaching carousel could explode as Lincoln Riley and Deion Sanders face mounting pressure

So, you thought it would be an average coaching carousel compared to previous years?

If history is to be believed, all it takes is one domino to fall in college football for chaos to begin.

After Maryland decided to fire coach Mike Locksley, we now have three openings in college football (NC State, Baylor) before a series of weekend games that could spark further discussion about a number of coaches who are on the brink.

But, as we’ve all seen over the past year, the financial aspect of doing business in college athletics’ current climate will also play a central role in how this carousel looks as we head into the final stretch of the regular season.

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Additionally, the situation in Tallahassee continues to evolve, with the Florida State administration pleading with fans to show up for student-athletes, with no mention of head coach Mike Norvell in their statement earlier this week.

Head coach Mike Norvell of the Florida State Seminoles looks on before a game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida on November 29, 2025. (Getty Images)

There are a number of people around the Seminoles program who would rather not pay a $50 million buyout and potentially allocate those funds toward building a competitive roster for the 2027 season.

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Here are two of the most intriguing situations currently unfolding in college football that could result in a number of dominoes falling.

So let’s see where we stand, after speaking with several sources across the country.

If Lincoln Riley loses to Ohio State this weekend, the temperature will only rise

After losing to Wisconsin last weekend with a disastrous offensive effort, people around the USC program are starting to wonder what the future holds for the Trojans head coach who made it clear this week that he wants to stay in Los Angeles.

Of course, many coaches would like to keep their jobs at schools described as the “firsts” in the sport.

For Lincoln Riley, the ongoing debate among industry players is that if USC lost Saturday to a backup Ohio State quarterback, things could turn around very quickly.

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Remember, athletic director Jen Cohen didn’t hire Lincoln. As we’ve previously reported on, questions have already been asked about whether Riley might find himself an escape hatch opening again in his home state of Texas.

We all know he’s a competitor, but leaving USC for a return to the Big 12 at a school like Baylor might not be the worst thing for a head coach who’s hanging by a thread at his current employer. And what would happen to a school like TCU, if they left Sonny Dykes?

Lincoln Riley of the USC Trojans stands on the sideline during a game against the Washington Huskies at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California on October 3, 2026. (Getty Images)

The reported $70 million buyout for Lincoln Riley could be mitigated if he takes another job in college football, so that number could actually go down, although it would be interesting to see by how much.

Yes, the USC head coach can say all the right things about how much he loves his job and that he had the opportunity to leave Los Angeles in the past. But there is a real possibility that if USC loses on Saturday night, two more losses could be on the way to Indiana and UCLA.

And pay attention to what would happen if Lincoln were to be fired for who could potentially be a top candidate. Many people are wondering if Kalen DeBoer would like to reunite the group with his former athletic director, Jen Cohen at USC again.

It’s a mess in Colorado for the sports department regarding Deion Sanders

OK, the honeymoon period ended two years ago for Coach Prime in Boulder.

Remember when Deion Sanders challenged the media to write the truth about what was happening in Colorado?

Yeah, I don’t imagine he thought about that.

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It was the 2024 season that gave Colorado fans something to savor, thanks in large part to Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders, as well as a group of teammates who bought into what Coach Prime was instilling in Boulder.

Then came a 3-9 season in 2025, followed by a team that is currently 2-5 after further collapses in recent weeks.

Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes watches the second half against the Baylor Bears at McLane Stadium on September 26, 2026 in Waco, Texas. (Getty Images)

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Deion has spent more time arguing with the local media over the past two seasons than promoting his agenda. He thought things would go differently after Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter left, with recruits and portal stars wanting to flock to Colorado.

What we have seen since then is appalling. Would athletic director Fernando Lovo be able to garner enough support to justify paying Deion Sanders around $25 million for his departure?

We might find out this part sooner rather than later, especially if the Buffaloes lose again this weekend against Kansas State.

Celebrities are no longer showing up and patience is running out in Boulder.

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But would Deion leave on his own or force Colorado to pay for his buyout while knowing it could become contentious?

There are a number of jobs surrounding college football that could be forced open over the next month as we enter a potentially wild November and the end of the regular season.

Stay tuned to OutKick for the latest news.

Let me know what you think. Send me your thoughts at Trey.Wallace@Outkick.com