College football is a sport defined by momentum, culture, and leadership. While rosters constantly change due to recruiting and the transfer portal, the most profound shifts in football power rankings often come when programs change head coaches.
A new hire can elevate a struggling team into national contention or send a powerhouse tumbling down the rankings. For sports fans and bettors in the U.S., tracking these transitions is vital to understanding which programs are on the rise and which are falling behind.
Below, we explore four major NCAA programs that have undergone coaching changes in the past five years and analyze how those decisions continue to shape their standing in football power rankings.
LSU Tigers: From Ed Orgeron to Brian Kelly
The LSU Tigers’ dramatic coaching change highlights how leadership can make or break a program. Ed Orgeron reached the pinnacle in 2019, leading LSU to a national championship behind Joe Burrow and one of the most dominant offenses in college football history.
However, the program quickly regressed, finishing with mediocre records in 2020 and 2021. Orgeron’s inability to sustain consistency and adapt to roster changes left LSU struggling to maintain its place in the upper tier of football power rankings.
Enter Brian Kelly in 2022, a proven winner from Notre Dame. Kelly immediately brought discipline, structure, and a balanced recruiting approach. His first season featured a statement win over Alabama, signaling LSU’s return as a legitimate contender in the SEC.
Under Kelly, the Tigers show stability in quarterback development and defensive depth, critical factors that bettors examine when analyzing CFB Futures odds. Today, LSU is once again climbing the football power rankings, projecting long-term competitiveness under Kelly’s system-driven approach.
USC Trojans: The Lincoln Riley Era
Few coaching hires in recent memory shook college football more than USC’s decision to lure Lincoln Riley from Oklahoma in 2021. The Trojans had been floundering for years under Clay Helton, unable to capitalize on their rich recruiting base in Southern California.
Their slide down the football power rankings mirrored their lack of direction, with inconsistent quarterback play and defensive struggles leaving them far from playoff contention.
Riley instantly changed that narrative. Known as a quarterback guru, he brought explosive offensive schemes and quickly turned USC into a destination for elite transfers, including Heisman-winning quarterback Caleb Williams. The Trojans surged in national visibility, climbing back into the top ten of football power rankings within Riley’s first season.
While defensive shortcomings continue to challenge USC, Riley’s recruiting prowess and ability to attract top offensive talent keep the Trojans firmly in the spotlight. For bettors, USC represents both high upside and volatility, making it one of the most intriguing programs in college football futures markets.
Texas Longhorns: Sarkisian’s Steady Rise
The Texas Longhorns represent another storied program reshaped by a bold coaching change. After years of mediocrity under Tom Herman, Texas hired Steve Sarkisian in 2021, hoping to restore the Longhorns to national prominence.
Early struggles led some to doubt whether Sarkisian could handle the expectations in Austin, but his long-term strategy is now paying dividends.
Sarkisian revitalizes Texas with modern offensive schemes, quarterback development, and recruiting pipelines that rival Alabama and Georgia. By 2023, Texas delivered a statement season, including a signature victory over Alabama, which propelled them into the playoff conversation. Their steady rise in football power rankings reflects not only on-field results but also renewed cultural momentum and confidence within the program.
Importantly, Sarkisian’s system plays well in high-stakes environments, giving Texas bettors confidence when evaluating future matchups. The Longhorns’ return to national relevance demonstrates how a patient, well-structured coaching change can transform a program’s long-term trajectory. In today’s college football landscape, Texas looks like a true playoff contender once again.
Florida State Seminoles: Mike Norvell’s Rebuild
Florida State illustrates how patience during a coaching transition can yield big rewards. After Jimbo Fisher’s departure in 2017, the Seminoles struggled through turbulent years under Willie Taggart, falling dramatically in football power rankings. The once-proud program, known for its national titles under Bobby Bowden and Fisher, looked far removed from relevance.
Mike Norvell took over in 2020, inheriting a fractured roster and low morale. His first two seasons were rocky, raising questions about whether Florida State could regain its stature. However, Norvell’s commitment to developing talent, using the transfer portal strategically, and instilling a culture of accountability paid off by 2022. The Seminoles surged back into the national conversation, posting double-digit wins and showing strong balance on both offense and defense.
Today, Florida State is firmly back in the upper tier of football power rankings. Their resurgence demonstrates the importance of stability, patience, and alignment between coaching philosophy and institutional support.
Bettors now see the Seminoles as a reliable contender, and their upward trajectory suggests sustained success in the ACC under Norvell’s leadership.
The Coaching Key
Coaching changes are among the most influential factors in reshaping college football power rankings. LSU, USC, Texas, and Florida State prove that leadership decisions can elevate programs back into contention or sustain long-term dominance.
For sports fans and bettors, understanding how coaching philosophies translate to on-field performance is essential when analyzing matchups and projecting outcomes.
In an era defined by recruiting wars, NIL deals, and the transfer portal, a head coach’s vision determines whether a team rises or falls. The programs highlighted above remind us that in college football, coaching isn’t just about play-calling; it’s about culture, momentum, and positioning a program at the top of the rankings year after year.
*Content reflects information available as of 2025/09/05; subject to change.
