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How Bad Will Recruiting Go for Teams That Wait to Hire?
Posted on 11/3/25 at 2:50 pm
Posted on 11/3/25 at 2:50 pm
The early signing period for high school recruits is December 3rd to 5th. Most top talent will commit then.
For teams waiting until after the season to hire a coach, how deep a hole will they be in? They will essentially lose a year of high school recruiting. And then 5 days after they announce the new coach their players can transfer.
The nationwide portal will be open January 2nd to the 16th. If a team waits until January to hire a coach are they basically forfeiting 2026? Sure they will be able to at least field a team through the portal. But talent will likely be lacking.
Is it worth sacrificing a season or two to get the coach you really want?
For teams waiting until after the season to hire a coach, how deep a hole will they be in? They will essentially lose a year of high school recruiting. And then 5 days after they announce the new coach their players can transfer.
The nationwide portal will be open January 2nd to the 16th. If a team waits until January to hire a coach are they basically forfeiting 2026? Sure they will be able to at least field a team through the portal. But talent will likely be lacking.
Is it worth sacrificing a season or two to get the coach you really want?
10
Posted on 11/3/25 at 2:54 pm to captdalton
quote:100%. If this era’s teaching us anything it’s that it’s easier than ever to buy a roster and harder than ever to generate buy-in.
Is it worth sacrificing a season or two to get the coach you really want?
This post was edited on 11/3/25 at 3:01 pm
Posted on 11/3/25 at 2:54 pm to captdalton
I think LSU will be fine… recruiting coordinator and interimHC Frank Wilson and GM Austin Thomas will certainly remain on staff in their roles under the new HC, whoever that new HC is. So as far as LSU goes, it’s likely business as usual on the recruiting/NIL/portal front. Hell actually LSU might get a small bump in recruiting just with Kelly gone.
Obviously position coach turnover would be the biggest obstacle/concern
Obviously position coach turnover would be the biggest obstacle/concern
This post was edited on 11/3/25 at 2:57 pm
Posted on 11/3/25 at 2:56 pm to captdalton
I think all of the teams with stable situations should just go ahead and take who they want from LSU, Florida and Auburn.
Posted on 11/3/25 at 2:57 pm to JPLSU1981
Then the new coach isn't Kiffen as you so desperately want to make people believe. He isn't going to be told to retain anyone
Posted on 11/3/25 at 2:58 pm to armtackledawg
I am sure that there are a lot of very busy intermediaries right now.
Posted on 11/3/25 at 2:58 pm to BevoBucks
quote:
You can buy a roster.
Yes, but the store will be closed for some teams that wait....
Posted on 11/3/25 at 2:58 pm to NobodyImportant
quote:
Then the new coach isn't Kiffen as you so desperately want to make people believe. He isn't going to be told to retain anyone
First of all, I don’t think it will be Kiffin.
But in the event that it is, he will 100% keep his buddies Frank Wilson and Austin Thomas in their current roles.
This post was edited on 11/3/25 at 3:00 pm
Posted on 11/3/25 at 2:59 pm to JPLSU1981
You are describing Jimbo Fisher. Is he the answer for LSU?
Posted on 11/3/25 at 3:04 pm to BevoBucks
But how often does a new hire actually turn out to be a program builder? It is rare.
Posted on 11/3/25 at 3:16 pm to JPLSU1981
quote:LSU's getting a new President, Athletic Director and HC. There are no guarantees those two will certainly remain on staff in their current role.
recruiting coordinator and interimHC Frank Wilson and GM Austin Thomas will certainly remain on staff in their roles under the new HC, whoever that new HC is.
Posted on 11/3/25 at 3:30 pm to RT1941
A top quality HC candidate is going to demand total control of the football program staffing with authority to clean house if they so desire.
Posted on 11/3/25 at 3:51 pm to captdalton
IF... your first worry is high school recruiting, and it is also your new coaches. You will be looking for a new coach in 3 years anyway.
The open spots need immediate help, with the portal.
How many high school kids are ready to play, year 1. If they are not, then let them go play somewhere else and go get them in a few years.
The open spots need immediate help, with the portal.
How many high school kids are ready to play, year 1. If they are not, then let them go play somewhere else and go get them in a few years.
Posted on 11/3/25 at 4:21 pm to Insurancerebel
Well that is certainly Ole Miss’ strategy.
Posted on 11/3/25 at 4:26 pm to captdalton
quote:
But talent will likely be lacking.
AU has talent now, and it's being wasted. 6 of 1, half dozen...
And kids these days are coming for the bag...if your coach causes the apathy that Hugh did, that goes away too when the funds stop. Then you have no talent and a shite coach.
Posted on 11/3/25 at 4:32 pm to JPLSU1981
quote:
recruiting coordinator and interimHC Frank Wilson and GM Austin Thomas will certainly remain on staff in their roles under the new HC, whoever that new HC is
Potentially, if they hire a current assistant or non-HC as their next HC.
Otherwise, current HCs will be loyal to their guys and bring their people in almost every case, so long as those people want to move along with the coach
Posted on 11/3/25 at 4:38 pm to ColoradoElkHerd
quote:Especially his recruiting coordinator and general manager of football operations. There’s no guarantee a new HC will want to keep the same guys in their positions at LSU.
A top quality HC candidate is going to demand total control of the football program staffing with authority to clean house if they so desire.
Posted on 11/3/25 at 4:42 pm to JPLSU1981
quote:
JPLSU1981
quote:
I think LSU will be fine
Posted on 11/3/25 at 4:46 pm to captdalton
This where the portal can really come in handy. If your new hire is already at another P4 school he can bring convince some of his current recruiting class to come over as well as players on his roster to transfer. That’s how Southern Miss’s new coach took over a 1-11 team and has them 6-2 so far with a good chance of finishing 9-3 or 10-2.
Posted on 11/3/25 at 5:09 pm to captdalton
quote:
Is it worth sacrificing a season or two to get the coach you really want?
I don’t see how a team could accept this. You get 2 or maybe 3 years before the seat gets hot. The guys you could get in December would play a big role in year 2,3,4. Those are the prime years you need to be good to keep your job.
What about just getting guys in the portal? Okay. Well, it’s assuming you even have a coach Jan 2nd if the coach you’re getting is in the playoff. So best case scenario Kiffin loses, then you start out behind other teams ready to pounce on guys day 1. Plus getting the top guys in the portal is extremely expensive after you just paid a big buyout and handed out a big contract.
Maybe it’s worth it if you’re convinced the coach you’re getting is a perfect long term fit. But it’s also extremely dangerous
This isn’t just a problem for a team trying to hire Kiffin. It’s every single head coach in a conference championship game
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