NIL
In NCAA’s renewed Congressional push, bipartisan NIL legislation introduced
The push from the NCAA and Power Five conferences to enact federal legislation around college sports is intensifying. U.S. Representatives Lisa McClain (R-Mich.)and Janelle Bynum (D-Ore.) introduced the “College Student-Athlete Protections and Opportunities through Rights, Transparency and Safety Act” on Tuesday morning, dubbed the College SPORTS Act.
The bipartisan legislation includes many of the provisions the NCAA has repeatedly requested, such as federal preemption of state laws and codification that college athletes are not employees. The bill would also allow athletes to use their scholarships to complete a degree within 10 years, even if they leave school early, and establish agent registration and disclosure requirements.
“I don’t think this is about drawing lines between Democrats and Republicans or the House and Senate,” SEC commissioner Greg Sankey told reporters on Monday. “I think this is an opportunity for our governmental leaders, our political leaders, to come together around solutions to support our Olympic development program, to support college football and every one of our sports that flows off of that, including those that are labeled as non-revenue sports, to provide additional support for women’s sports.”
Meanwhile, a discussion draft has been circulating college athletics. The proposal under the House of Representatives’ Committee on Energy and Commerce would also codify much of what the NCAA has pushed lawmakers to enact in recent years. The House subcommittee is scheduled to discuss the draft at a legislative hearing on Thursday.
“This discussion draft comes at a time of historic transition for college athletics,” the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12 and SEC said in a joint statement on Tuesday morning. “In the absence of federal standards, student-athletes and schools have been forced to navigate a fractured regulatory framework for too long. Following the historic House settlement, this draft legislation represents a very encouraging step toward delivering the national clarity and accountability that college athletics desperately needs. We urge lawmakers to build on this momentum and deliver the national solution that athletes, coaches, and schools deserve.”
The renewed push for federal legislation comes days after the House v. NCAA settlement was approved. Since the NCAA was founded in 1906, institutions have never directly paid athletes. That will now change with the settlement ushering in the revenue-sharing era of college sports.
For the new College Sports Commission entity to be successful in enforcing the settlement, many around college sports believe it needs federal backing. The commission appointed Major League Baseball executive Bryan Seeley as CEO on Friday night.
“For too long, college athletes have generated enormous value for their schools and athletic programs without being allowed to share in the success they help create,” McClain said in a release announcing the College SPORTS Act. “We’re protecting the values that make college athletics great while modernizing the system to reflect today’s reality. This bill preserves the student-athlete model while offering real protections, real opportunity, and real fairness. I appreciate Congresswoman Bynum for partnering with me to get this bipartisan legislation moving forward.”
College football’s coaching carousel hit full speed after Week 10, reshaping the landscape across every power league. The firings of Brian Kelly at LSU, James Franklin at Penn State, Billy Napier at Florida, and Hugh Freeze at Auburn turned a slow-moving market into chaos. With blueblood programs now hunting replacements, every decision carries ripple effects from the SEC to the ACC and beyond.
What makes this cycle different is its reach. The market includes nine Power 4 openings and several mid-major jobs with serious upside. Add in the political and financial stakes behind each decision, and this hiring window feels as consequential as any in recent memory.
Below is a composite ranking of all current FBS head coach openings after Week 10. Each job’s outlook weighs its path to success, resources, alignment, and realistic playoff access in the modern era.
• Previous Coach: Brian Kelly (LSU record: 34-14)
• Date Fired: Oct. 26
• Interim Head Coach: Frank Wilson
• New Head Coach: TBA
LSU remains the premier opening in college football. The Tigers’ combination of in-state recruiting power, championship pedigree, and deep-pocketed support creates an unmatched ceiling. Three of the last four permanent coaches won national titles, proof that alignment and resources can produce immediate success. Leadership turnover adds occasional volatility, yet the school’s infrastructure and roster investment guarantee national relevance. LSU will attract top-tier candidates who recognize its ability to win quickly in the SEC’s toughest division.
• Previous Coach: James Franklin (Penn State record: 104-45)
• Date Fired: Oct. 12
• Interim Head Coach: Terry Smith
• New Head Coach: TBA
Penn State offers a Big Ten platform built on stability, financial strength, and a ready-made roster. The program sits on the edge of College Football Playoff contention every year, boasting national facilities and recruiting access to the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Midwest. A $700 million Beaver Stadium renovation underscores long-term commitment, and administrative alignment is solid under athletic director Pat Kraft. Penn State’s next coach inherits a team capable of winning immediately and competing annually for the playoff.
• Previous Coach: Billy Napier (Florida record: 22-23)
• Date Fired: Oct. 19
• Interim Head Coach: Billy Gonzales
• New Head Coach: TBA
Florida remains a top-tier SEC job with unmatched local talent and elite facilities. The Gators’ brand power ensures recruiting reach, and a strong NIL foundation can accelerate a turnaround. The challenge lies in sustaining success against peers like Georgia and LSU, while stabilizing internal leadership. Florida’s roster is SEC-caliber but inconsistent, demanding a coach capable of uniting boosters, players, and administration. With proper alignment, Florida can again chase championships in the new 12-team playoff era.
• Previous Coach: Hugh Freeze (Auburn record: 15-19)
• Date Fired: Nov. 2
• Interim Head Coach: DJ Durkin
• New Head Coach: TBA
Auburn’s volatility doesn’t hide its upside. The Tigers sit in a recruiting sweet spot near Atlanta and remain a passionate, well-funded SEC program. Their facilities rival any in the conference, and the roster features legitimate top-10 talent. The issue has been alignment — boosters and leadership have too often pulled in different directions. Still, with the right coach and unified vision, Auburn can return to the national stage. Its ability to attract elite candidates reflects just how powerful this job remains.
• Previous Coach: Brent Pry (Virginia Tech record: 16-24)
• Date Fired: Sept. 14
• Interim Head Coach: Phillip Montgomery
• New Head Coach: TBA
Virginia Tech is a sleeping giant in a winnable ACC. Financial investment has finally caught up, and its fan base provides one of the most passionate home-field advantages in the sport. Recruiting the Mid-Atlantic and improving player retention are key steps forward. If the school’s new funding plan produces results, the Hokies can reemerge as contenders in a conference with more opportunity than barriers.
• Previous Coach: Sam Pittman (Arkansas record: 32-34)
• Date Fired: Sept. 28
• Interim Head Coach: Bobby Petrino
• New Head Coach: TBA
Arkansas combines fan passion with financial potential but faces stiff competition inside the SEC. The program’s facilities are strong, and its recruiting ties stretch into Texas, yet its geography limits in-state talent. The right coach will need to maximize evaluation and development while expanding NIL support. Arkansas’ ceiling remains high enough to contend for bowl games and occasionally push into the playoff mix.
• Previous Coach: Mike Gundy (Oklahoma State record: 170-90)
• Date Fired: Sept. 23
• Interim Head Coach: Doug Meachem
• New Head Coach: TBA
Oklahoma State remains a strong Big 12 job with clear playoff access and a strong identity. Proximity to Texas recruits and a winnable league structure make it appealing for coaches looking to rebuild quickly. Donor enthusiasm and modernized NIL backing will determine how fast the Cowboys rebound. With the right hire, Oklahoma State could reclaim its place as a Big 12 contender within a season or two.
• Previous Coach: DeShaun Foster (UCLA record: 5-10)
• Date Fired: Sept. 14
• Interim Head Coach: Tim Skipper
• New Head Coach: TBA
UCLA offers a massive market and a Big Ten path to national exposure. Facilities have improved, and Southern California recruiting remains fertile. Fan engagement and financial commitment, however, need a jolt. The Bruins’ next coach must energize donors and convert local talent into sustained success.
• Previous Coach: Troy Taylor (Stanford record: 16-18)
• Date Fired: March 25
• Interim Head Coach: Frank Reich
• New Head Coach: TBA
Stanford’s academic identity and new ACC placement create challenges, but leadership under Andrew Luck and recent major donations signal renewed focus. The school’s goal is to reestablish disciplined, developmental football capable of competing for bowl berths while maintaining academic standards.
• Previous Coach: Trent Bray (Oregon State record: 5-14)
• Date Fired: Oct. 12
• Interim Head Coach: Robb Akey
• New Head Coach: TBA
Oregon State’s realignment fallout reshaped its ceiling, yet its infrastructure remains solid. The Beavers’ fan base and player development model provide stability. In a rebuilt Pac-12 landscape, consistent bowl contention is realistic.
• Previous Coach: Jay Norvell (Colorado State record: 18-26)
• Date Fired: Oct. 19
• Interim Head Coach: Tyson Summers
• New Head Coach: TBA
Colorado State combines first-class facilities with strong local support. The Rams’ challenge is converting those resources into wins in a deeper restructured league. Success here starts with identifying talent and building continuity through the portal.
• Previous Coach: Trent Dilfer (UAB record: 9-21)
• Date Fired: Oct. 12
• Interim Head Coach: Alex Mortensen
• New Head Coach: TBA
UAB’s quick rise and steep decline make this job a reset opportunity. A new coach inherits good facilities and a supportive community but must rebuild credibility within the American Athletic Conference.
• Previous Coach: Kenni Burns (Kent State record: 1-23)
• Date Fired: Apr. 11
• Interim Head Coach: Mark Carney
• New Head Coach: TBA
Kent State remains one of the sport’s toughest jobs. The school’s limited resources and difficult history make sustained success rare. Still, competing in the MAC gives the next coach room to climb if development clicks.
After months of rumors, Auburn fired Hugh Freeze, but the attention quickly turns to who will be the Tigers new coach. A group of familiar names is being floated as the top candidates, but a “wild card” has also emerges as a potential sleeper at Auburn.
The last time college football fans saw Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M boosters and brass were coming up with the money to pay the coach’s historic $77 million buyout. That’s how bad Fisher’s tenure at College Station ended.
Yet, Fisher wants to get back into coaching and continues to be linked to some of the top vacancies. The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman labeled Fisher as a potential “wild card” at Auburn along with former Penn State coach James Franklin.
— Hugh Freeze (@CoachHughFreeze) November 2, 2025
“The other intriguing option is former Texas A&M and Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher, who is now doing TV work for the ACC Network,” Feldman wrote on Sunday. “He took the Seminoles to a national title following the 2013 season and led the Aggies to a No. 4 finish in 2020.
“He did get paid a boatload of money to leave College Station in 2023 after things really fizzled out there, but his 45-25 record was a lot better than anything the Tigers have been doing of late. It’s worth noting things also fell apart for him in Tallahassee late in his tenure,” Feldman continued.
“The 60-year-old played college football in-state at Samford, where he also started his coaching career, and he spent six seasons at Auburn as quarterbacks coach. If Fisher really wants back into coaching and Auburn is game, this might be very tempting for him.”
Could Jimbo Fisher make his return to the sidelines?
It wouldn’t be an Auburn coaching search without a wild card or two…@BruceFeldmanCFB‘s candidates to watch for the Tigers’ coaching vacancy: https://t.co/eZNdWWkQIQ pic.twitter.com/uFA0vMWXzX
— The Athletic CFB (@TheAthleticCFB) November 2, 2025
Fisher was previously on a $95 million contract with Texas A&M that was slated to go through 2031, per The Athletic. There are so many college football openings as the carousel keeps spinning that Fisher is likely to land a job, but the question is whether one of the top programs will take a chance on the veteran coach.
Fisher has not coached since 2023, and it would be a surprise if a program signed the coach to another $95 million deal. The coach may need to prove he is capable of winning in the new era of college football amid the transfer portal and NIL deals by taking a bit less money than his last go around.
College football buyouts have hit nearly $185M this season.
• Brian Kelly (LSU), $53M
• James Franklin (Penn State), $49.7M
• Billy Napier (Florida), $21.2M
• Hugh Freeze (Auburn), $15.4M
• Mike Gundy (OSU), $15M
• Sam Pittman (Arkansas), $9.8M
• DeShaun Foster (UCLA)… pic.twitter.com/GAgNsB57Ww— Front Office Sports (@FOS) November 2, 2025
It would still be an upset if Fisher’s next stop was at Auburn.
Last year’s NCAA Tournament was riveting. It was thrilling. It featured a dramatic Final Four and a national championship game that wasn’t determined until the final horn.
One thing was missing from the most recent edition of March Madness, however: Cinderella.
Only one double-digit seed reached the second weekend, and nobody would ever consider John Calipari and Arkansas a version of David. The entire Sweet 16 featured power-conference schools for the first time since 1975. It was a tournament of Goliaths.
The worry is that as money for players increases in the transfer portal and name, image and likeness era, it will contribute to a growing divide between the haves and the have-nots, the big schools with money and everyone else.
“It’s definitely a little bit of a warning sign, like whoa, we might have lost what made it special,” Stanford coach Kyle Smith told The Post.
Smith was quick to note that this was just one year. It could turn out to be an anomaly. But there are reasons to believe it may become an extended trend.
The days of mid-major teams developing together over a number of years, like Cinderella Final Four teams Loyola of Chicago in 2018 and Florida Atlantic in 2023, are mostly a thing of the past.
The most outstanding player of last year’s Final Four was Florida’s Walter Clayton Jr., a former standout at Iona University. The Elite Eight also included stars who transferred from Morehead State (Johni Broome, Auburn), Florida Atlantic (Alijah Martin, Florida), Ohio (Mark Sears, Alabama), New Mexico (JT Toppin, Texas Tech), Nevada (Darrion Williams, Texas Tech), North Dakota State (Grant Nelson, Alabama) and North Florida (Chaz Lanier, Tennessee).
Top players now leave. It would be financially irresponsible not to.
“Where I think the current model falls short is that we have created a system where it is significantly more financially lucrative to go be the 11th or 12th man at a power-five school than to go be a mid-major star,” said Campbell coach John Andrzejek, who was an assistant on last year’s champion, Florida.
An industry source familiar with the inner workings of player salaries said that the starting point for payrolls of top 20 caliber high-major program is $10 million. That’s double what it was the previous season. Kentucky, which is ranked ninth in the Associated Press preseason poll, has a payroll of reportedly over $20 million.
Smaller schools can’t contend with that.
“It’s insane, they’re almost competing with NBA teams,” Hofstra coach Speedy Claxton said. “What are we doing here? I’m all for these kids getting some money, helping themselves out and their family out, but the numbers they’re making are outrageous. I couldn’t imagine being a millionaire on a college campus. I would lose my damn mind.”
How out of whack is this system? A mid-major assistant coach said that in recruiting high school players, the kids or parents will often tell him the goal is to perform well enough at the coach’s school to advance to a higher level. Claxton will notify higher-level coaching friends about players in his league — some in his program — who could make an impact for them when they eventually transfer.
“I want to help the kids and I want to help my friends,” Claxton said.
There is no regulation. A low-major Division I assistant coach had a star freshman he was able to keep, but it was difficult. The player, his family and AAU coach were frequently contacted by people representing big schools with promises of large paydays. It started after his first big game and continued deep into the spring. The player was loyal, a rarity in the sport.
“You’re getting an education, but it’s student-professional athletes, that’s what it is now,” the assistant coach said. “It’s overseas basketball with classrooms in it.”
The industry source suggested one potential fix: transfer fees. If a bigger school poaches a player from a smaller school, it would cost a fixed amount, similar to professional soccer. A high-major assistant coach, speaking on condition of anonymity, doubted the power conferences would ever go for that. He suggested tweaking transfer rules, allowing one free transfer, with an exception being if a coach is fired or leaves.
“That’s the biggest thing that has to change,” the coach said. “Then the mid-major school can take a player from the bigger school and you can have him for a few years. Same thing with a mid-major star who says, ‘Hey, I’m going to wait until after my sophomore year and then I’m going to go up.’ You have to make a choice at the right time if you only get one free transfer.”
Depending on who you ask, there is a belief that the new revenue sharing model could shift this dynamic. Schools now have the option to pay their own athletes up to $20.5 million. The ones that don’t have FBS football could theoretically have an advantage, although 21 of the teams ranked in the AP preseason Top 25 come from the four conferences — the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC — that still have big-time college football. The other four teams — Connecticut, St. John’s and Creighton of the Big East, and Gonzaga — all have significant financial might.
“This year is really something to monitor and watch closely for how wide that gap is between [the big schools and everyone else],” St. John’s athletic director Ed Kull said.
The frequency of top players transferring up has opened high school recruiting at the mid-major level, according to 247 Sports national recruiting analyst Travis Branham. Seventeen players in the 2026 top 150 are committed to schools other than the Big East and the four major football conferences, and there are still several prospects who have to commit. A year ago, it was 13.
Branham believes that the strong mid-major leagues, specifically the Atlantic 10, will soon be able to boast larger payrolls than schools from the aforementioned four big leagues because of revenue sharing.
“People are going to be shocked when they see the success coming out of the Atlantic 10,” he said. “But it’s not going to be shocking to people who understand the economics of what’s happening there.”
That, of course, remains to be seen. This coming March could tell us more.
But Claxton, the Hofstra coach, believes that major change has to occur, or the part of March that everyone loves — Cinderella — is in danger of either becoming much more rare or potentially extinct.
“The upsets occurred when us mid-majors had four-year players, people who we grew in the program, and we developed them, and you would face a younger high-major team,” he said. “That’s when the upsets happened. You’re not going to see that anymore because if we have a good freshman or sophomore, they’re not going to stay with us.”
The Group of Five continues to be unpredictable.
Five of the top 10 teams in the HERO Sports Group of Five Top 25 media poll lost last week. Arguably the most surprising was Tulane, which was ranked second, losing to UTSA by 22 points.
But the No. 1 program remained the same, as Memphis is still at the top of this week’s Group of Five Top 25 media poll. Members of nationally-focused media outlets as well as at least one team beat reporter from every G5 conference is involved.
New Customer Offers at BetMGM
Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l Terms
Here’s how they collectively voted:
- Memphis (16 first-place votes)
- South Florida (two first-place votes)
- James Madison (one first-place vote)
- North Texas
- San Diego State
- Tulane
- Navy
- Southern Miss
- East Carolina
- Boise State
- Kennesaw State
- UNLV
- Western Kentucky
- New Mexico
- Old Dominion
- Fresno State
- Ohio
- Miami (Ohio)
- UConn
- Hawaii
- Troy
- Louisiana Tech
- Jacksonville State
- Western Michigan
- Coastal Carolina
RV: Toledo, UTSA, Arkansas State, Marshall, Army, Rice, Temple, Utah State, Missouri State, Buffalo, Liberty.
Josh Boutwell, Troy Messenger
Michael Calabrese, Action Network
Bennett Conlin, Baltimore Sun/JMU Sports News
Ron Counts, HERO Sports
The G5 Hive
Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman
Bryson Gordon, The News & Advance
Catie Harper, Daily News-Record
The Herd Bros
Greg Luca, San Antonio Express-News
Colton McWilliams, San Marcos Record
Robert Munoz, HERO Sports
Jeff Nations, Bowling Green Daily News
Marc Narducci, HERO Sports
Colton Pool, HERO Sports
Cam Robertson, Athens Messenger
Kyle Rowland, NIL Wire
Brett Vito, Denton Record-Chronicle
Seth Woolcock, BettingPros/In-Between Media
Ranking college football’s FBS head coach openings after Week 10
Youth is served for Steelers’ defense in dominant performance against Colts
The Ultimate Youth Sports Newsletter Vol 64: Montgomery (AL) Announces Youth Sports Investment Plan, $280M Multi-Sport Campus in South Florida, DICK’S Sending 2-Year-Old Viral Fan to UConn Women’s Basketball Home Opener
The Salvation Army Partners with U.S. Soccer Foundation to Expand Youth Programming Nationwide
IWU Trio Sweeps CCIW Women’s Volleyball Weekly Honors
Ex-$95 million college football HC a potential ‘wild card’ to be named Auburn coach
Hartman named MVC Player of the Week for third time this season
Cheney Named A-10 Volleyball Rookie of the Week
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL CLINCHES AMERICA EAST POSTSEASON BERTH
CAA Volleyball Weekly Awards – Nov. 3, 2025
NIL free-for-all poses real threat to March Madness Cinderella teams
The Salvation Army and U.S. Soccer Foundation Partner to Help Youth in Underserved Communities Thrive Through Soccer and Mentorship
WIMNA SoCal Chapter to Host Field Trip to NHRA Museum, Pomona DragstripPerformance Racing Industry
Ace Austin doesn’t play in Alabama women’s basketball’s season opener
The Lonely New Vices of American Life
Why a rising mid-major power with an NCAA Tournament team opted out of revenue-sharing — and advertised it
Falcons mailbag
NBA Legend Michael Jordan to Join NBC Sports as Special Contributor
Portal Update – Basketball and Gymnastics Take Hits
has always dreamed in Mercurial. Now his initials are on the boots.
The new Kyl…
-
Sports2 weeks agoThe Woman of the Year Selection Committee has announced the Top 30 honorees for the 2025 NCAA Woman of the Year Award
-
NIL2 weeks agoBaylor QB Sawyer Robertson releases Bass Pro Shop trading cards
-
Motorsports2 weeks agoMotorsports and the Growing Accessibility PROBLEM
-
Sports2 weeks agoSlow Start Dooms No. 17 Women’s Volleyball in 3-2 Loss at Washington – Penn State
-
Rec Sports2 weeks agoMeasles case confirmed in Olmsted County
-
Sports2 weeks agoMen’s Cross Country Competes At Princeton Fall Classic
-
Motorsports2 weeks agoCasey Mears Talladega NASCAR Cup Series Notes and Quotes – Speedway Digest
-
Motorsports1 week agoWilliam Byron wins pole position for NASCAR Cup elimination race at Martinsville – Speedway Digest
-
Sports2 weeks agoCCIW Women’s Volleyball Honors Manojlovic, Britton and Tellor for Standout Week
-
Sports2 weeks agoVolleyball Resumes SEC Play With South Carolina and Georgia