College football's growing fixation on hiring younger head coaches could be leading programs to overlook some of the sport's most experienced and successful minds, according to a recent analysis.
The trend reflects a broader shift in hiring philosophy across major conferences, where athletic directors increasingly prioritize youth and perceived innovation over long-established track records.
The column, written by senior writer Dan Wolken and published on November 4, 2026, examines how this preference may affect the long-term stability of coaching staffs and program development.
