College football programs have shown decreasing patience with underperforming coordinators, as evidenced by a series of high-profile firings and costly buyouts over the past five years. CBS Sports compiled a list of the 10 worst coordinator hires since 2020, highlighting cases where offenses or defenses collapsed despite talented rosters.
Notable failures
Michigan fired offensive coordinator Jason Beck after less than one year, owing him more than $10 million in what is believed to be the largest assistant coach buyout ever. Oregon dismissed Drew Mehringer in his first season, while Oklahoma parted ways with Ben Arbuckle midway through his second year.
Dino Babers, hired as Arizona's offensive coordinator in 2024, oversaw a collapse from a 10-win season to 4-8, with quarterback Noah Fifita's completion percentage dropping from 72% to 60% and yards per attempt falling from 8.6 to 6.9.
Todd Grantham's tenure as Oklahoma State defensive coordinator in 2025 lasted only four games; his unit surrendered 114 points in two games against Power Four opponents, including a 69-3 loss to Oregon.
Alex Grinch's defense at USC in 2022 ranked 119th nationally, allowing 432.8 yards per game and 6.3 yards per play against Power Four competition.
Freddie Kitchens' offense at North Carolina in 2025 managed only 23 combined points in the first two games against UCF and TCU, and the Tar Heels scored 20 points or more in just three games all season.
Seth Littrell's seven-game stint at Oklahoma in 2024 produced the program's worst offense through seven games since 1961, culminating in a 34-3 loss to Texas.
Drew Mehringer's promotion at Oregon in 2026 saw the Ducks' FEI offense ranking plummet from No. 5 to No. 49, with 426 yards yielding only 10 points in a loss to Illinois.
Chad Morris returned to Clemson in 2026 but the offense ranked 115th in total offense and 127th in yards per play, a full yard per play worse than the previous year.
Mike Shula's offense at South Carolina in 2025 caused quarterback LaNorris Sellers' completion rate to drop from 66% to 61%, contributing to a 4-8 record sandwiched between two eight-win seasons.
Tony White's Florida State defense fell to 122nd in total defense in 2025, surrendering 113 points in the final three games before his firing.
Holman Wiggins' playcalling at Texas A&M in 2026 dropped the Aggies from 21st to 119th in yards per play, with quarterback Marcel Reed regressing to eight touchdowns and eight interceptions.
