The topic of whether or not to fire coaches in college football has always been a subject of intense debate, particularly when it comes to high-profile programs such as Ohio State and Florida. In recent years, both schools have maintained their leadership positions by sticking with their head coaches, even amid the pressures of maintaining championship-caliber performance. This article delves into the reasons why Ohio State and Florida have opted to keep their coaches and how these decisions reflect a larger shift in college football that is reshaping the paradigm of coaching longevity, program stability, and long-term success.
The Pressure Cooker of College Football Coaching
College football coaching is one of the most scrutinized and high-pressure positions in all of sports. Expectations are sky-high, with both fanbases and university administrators demanding immediate results. Historically, many high-profile schools have been quick to pull the trigger when a coach underperforms, especially when national championships and bowl game victories are seen as the ultimate benchmarks of success.
However, in the current era of college football, there is a growing realization that the traditional model of quick turnover and a win-now mentality may not always yield the best long-term results. Institutions like Ohio State and Florida are leading the way in proving that stability and patience with their head coaches can lead to sustained success, even in an era of shifting dynamics such as the evolving transfer portal and NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) rights.
Ohio State’s Commitment to Ryan Day
Ohio State University has long been a powerhouse in college football, with a rich tradition of success dating back decades. However, the program’s decision to stick with head coach Ryan Day, despite some early seasons that included heartbreaking losses in the College Football Playoff (CFP) and national championship games, exemplifies a more measured and strategic approach to coaching changes.
Day, who took over as head coach in 2019 after Urban Meyer’s retirement, inherited a program already loaded with talent and high expectations. The Buckeyes had just finished an undefeated regular season and appeared poised to dominate under Meyer’s leadership. Day’s first few years were undeniably successful, with Ohio State consistently ranking among the top teams in the country. However, despite the on-field success, there were murmurs from some corners of the fanbase when Ohio State fell short of national titles in his first two seasons.
The 2020 and 2021 campaigns were particularly frustrating. Ohio State made the CFP each year, only to be eliminated by fierce competitors like Alabama and Clemson. Critics began questioning whether Day could live up to the legacy of Meyer, who had brought Ohio State a national title in 2014 and had built one of the most consistent and feared programs in the country.
Yet, despite these disappointments, Ohio State made the conscious decision to stick with Day. One of the primary reasons for this decision was the continued success of the program under his leadership. Ohio State remained a fixture in the CFP conversation and had a consistently strong recruiting pipeline. In a college football landscape that is becoming increasingly unpredictable, maintaining such stability was seen as an advantage. The Buckeyes had a proven head coach who knew how to recruit top-tier talent, develop players, and position his team for success in an ever-changing environment.
Moreover, the program’s decision to keep Day reflected a broader trend in college football. With the advent of NIL and the transfer portal, continuity and stability within a program can help create an environment that fosters long-term success. Ohio State’s commitment to Day signaled to recruits, players, and the broader college football community that the university was focused on building a program for the future, not just chasing immediate gratification. By retaining Day, the Buckeyes were doubling down on their belief in his ability to lead the program into the future, even if the road to another national championship was not immediate.
Florida’s Decision to Stick with Billy Napier
Much like Ohio State, the University of Florida is a program with a storied history and high expectations. Florida’s football program has seen periods of dominance, with multiple national championships and a reputation for producing NFL talent. After the departure of Dan Mullen, Florida hired Billy Napier to lead the program in 2022.
Napier’s first couple of seasons at Florida were challenging. The Gators struggled to find consistent success, and in a program with such a high bar, this led to growing concerns. Despite these early struggles, Florida’s athletic department chose to remain patient with Napier, recognizing that building a sustainable program takes time, especially in an era where recruiting dynamics are constantly evolving.
The decision to retain Napier, despite early signs of frustration from fans, mirrors a broader trend of universities opting for long-term thinking over short-term results. Napier, who previously had success at Louisiana-Lafayette, was seen as a coach who could bring a methodical, disciplined approach to Florida’s program. In a sport increasingly dominated by the NIL era, where the landscape of college football recruiting is changing rapidly, Napier’s focus on building a strong foundation was a key factor in Florida’s decision to give him more time.
Furthermore, Florida’s decision to stick with Napier aligns with a larger trend in college football that emphasizes developing strong relationships with recruits, fostering player development, and creating a winning culture over multiple seasons. Florida recognized that Napier’s ability to build a winning program required patience and that the coaching carousel had become an unproductive cycle in the modern era of college football.
The Gators were also taking into account the broader shifts occurring in the sport. The NIL era has created a new set of challenges, not only in terms of recruiting but also in navigating the changing rules and regulations surrounding player compensation. Building a program under such circumstances requires a unique skill set, and Florida’s administration was willing to give Napier the time and space to adjust and thrive in the new landscape.
Coaching Stability in a Changing Landscape
Both Ohio State and Florida’s decisions to maintain their head coaches are reflective of a broader shift in college football. As the sport enters a new phase with the introduction of NIL, the growing impact of the transfer portal, and the expansion of the College Football Playoff, programs are beginning to understand that sustainable success requires a longer-term vision. Coaches who can adapt to the changing landscape—whether through innovative recruiting strategies, building relationships with players, or developing new offensive and defensive schemes—are invaluable assets to their programs.
The transfer portal and NIL, in particular, have fundamentally altered the way college football teams are built. In the past, a team’s success was primarily based on recruiting classes and the development of players over several years. However, in the modern era, rosters can change drastically from one season to the next, making it more difficult for programs to maintain consistency. This has led to a shift in priorities for both administrators and fans. Stability in leadership has become more important than ever, as programs are increasingly recognizing that success is not just about bringing in top-tier talent but also about building a cohesive, long-term strategy.
Additionally, the increased financial resources in college football—through television contracts, sponsorships, and NIL opportunities—have made it more feasible for programs to retain coaches even in the face of early-season disappointments. Universities are willing to invest in the long-term success of their programs, trusting that the right leadership will eventually lead to championships.
