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

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

If history is any indication, it only takes one domino to fall in college football for the chaos to begin.

After Maryland decided to fire coach Mike Locksley, we now have three openings in college football (NC State, Baylor) before a weekend slate of games that could trigger further discussions on a number of coaches that are teetering on the edge.

But, as we’ve all seen over the past year, the financial aspect of making moves in this current climate of college athletics will also play a pivotal role in what this carousel looks like as we head down the final stretch of the regular season.

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

There are a number of folks around the Seminoles program that would prefer not paying a reported $50 million buyout, and potentially allocating those funds towards piecing a competitive roster for the 2027 season.

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Here are two of the more intriguing situations currently taking place across college football, that could lead to a number of dominos falling.

So, let’s take a look at where we are, after speaking with multiple 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 effort on offense, folks around the USC program are starting to wonder what the future holds for the Trojans head coach that made it clear this week he wants to remain in Los Angeles.

Well sure, a lot of coaches would love to keep their jobs at schools that are described as ‘premier’ in the sport.

For Lincoln Riley, the ongoing chatter among those within the industry is that if USC were to lose to a backup quarterback from Ohio State on Saturday, the situation could turn very quick.

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Remember, athletic director Jen Cohen did not hire Lincoln. As we previously reported on this matter, there have already been questions as to whether Riley could find himself an escape hatch that opens back up 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 is hanging on by a thread at his current employer. Also, what about a school like TCU, if they were to move on from Sonny Dykes?

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

The reported $70 million buyout for Lincoln Riley could be mitigated if he were to take another job within college football, so that number could actually drop, though it would be interesting to see by how much.

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

And, pay attention to what happens if Lincoln were to be fired in regard to who could potentially be a top candidate. There are a lot of folks wondering if Kalen DeBoer would enjoy getting the band back together with his former athletic director, Jen Cohen at USC.

It’s a mess at Colorado for the athletic department regarding Deion Sanders

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

Remember when Deion Sanders dared the media to write the truth about what was taking place at Colorado?

Yea, I don’t imagine he thought that one through.

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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, along with a group of teammates who bought into what Coach Prime was instilling within Boulder.

Then came a 3-9 season in 2025, followed by a squad that is currently 2-5 after additional collapses over the past few weeks.

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

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Deion has spent more time getting into arguments with local media over the last two seasons than actually promoting his program. He thought things would go a different way after Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter left, with recruits and portal stars wanting to flock towards Colorado.

What we’ve seen since has been abysmal. Would athletic director Fernando Lovo be able to garner enough support to justify paying Deion Sanders somewhere around $25 million to go away?

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

The celebrities are no longer showing up and the patience has run out in Boulder.

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

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

Stay tuned to OutKick for the latest.

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