Tag: coach

Toledo hires Mercer’s Mike Jacobs as head coach

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Mike Jacobs was named the head coach of the Toledo Rockets on Wednesday, replacing Jason Candle.

Jacobs, 46, spent the past two seasons as the coach at Mercer, compiling a 20-6 record (9-3 in 2025) with two trips to the FCS playoffs.

He has an overall record of 94-23 (.803) including stints at Lenoir-Rhyne from 2020-23 and Notre Dame (Ohio) from 2016-19.

“Mike Jacobs is one of the winningest active head coaches in the nation and an extraordinary fit for Rocket Football,” Toledo athletic director Bryan B. Blair said in a news release. “Across 10 seasons as a head coach, he has compiled a remarkable record. He has earned five conference Coach of the Year honors, won seven conference championships, and never had a losing season.”

Candle was named the head coach at UConn on Saturday after compiling an 81-44 record at Toledo since 2015.

Jacobs is an Ohio native who was an offensive lineman and long snapper at Ohio State from 1997-2001.

“My family and I are humbled and honored to lead the University of Toledo’s storied football program,” Jacobs said. “We are looking forward to being a part of Team Toledo and helping this program achieve new heights.”

He was named the Southern Conference’s Coach of the Year in both seasons at Mercer. The Bears’ season ended on Saturday with a loss to South Dakota in the second round of the FCS playoffs.

–Field Level Media

Reports: Former K-State QB Collin Klein to replace coach Chris Klieman

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A major move is imminent in Manhattan, with a coaching change at Kansas State reportedly under consideration.

Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman intends to retire at 58 and his replacement is former quarterback Collin Klein, currently offensive coordinator at Texas A&M, according to multiple reports.

The Athletic reported Klieman has had discussions with Kansas State about stepping down but “nothing has been finalized” as of Wednesday morning.

Klieman, 54-34 at Kansas State, made no formal announcement during postgame media availability last week and has not indicated this is final season. His current contract expires in 2032.

He won the Big 12 title in 2022 and guided the Wildcats to five bowl appearances since being hired away from North Dakota State.

Klein, 36, was an assistant coach under Klieman and spent two of his five seasons on staff as Wildcats’ offensive coordinator. He has been offensive coordinator at Texas A&M for the past two seasons.

Among his many accomplishments on the field at Kansas State, Klein was a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2012 and piloted the Wildcats to the Fiesta Bowl.

–Field Level Media

Tigers Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier 18, LSU Tigers take on the Texas A&M Aggies. October 25, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; at Tiger Stadium. Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.

LSU interim AD given green light to hire football coach

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LSU interim athletic director Verge Ausberry has something his fired predecessor did not have: authority to hire the school’s next football coach.

Ausberry, along with university Board of Supervisors members John Carmouche and Scott Ballard, met with the media briefly Friday morning in Baton Rouge, La., working to reassure the LSU community about the plan moving forward.

The week has been a whirlwind for LSU. Football coach Brian Kelly was fired Monday after a 49-25 loss to Texas A&M left the Tigers with a 5-3 record. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry was critical of Kelly’s $54 million buyout and vowed athletic director Scott Woodward would not hire Kelly’s replacement.

On Thursday, Woodward was fired and Ausberry was given the job on an interim basis.

Ausberry said a search committee, which will include Ballard and Carmouche, is being formed to assist with the search.

The interim AD — a former LSU linebacker — has spent 24 years working in the Tigers’ athletic department, most recently as executive deputy athletic director.

Ausberry said the events of the week — including the perceptions of government interference possibly created in the coaching community — will not keep top coaches from being interested in the job.

“We’re LSU. Our phone is still ringing,” Ausberry said. “It’s one of the best jobs in the country. It is the best job in the country at this time. I don’t see any problems bringing the right person to LSU.”

And the interim AD vowed that LSU will become a College Football Playoff team.

“We’re going to hire the best football coach there is,” Ausberry said. “That’s our job. We are not going to let this program fail. LSU has to be in the playoffs every year in football. There’s 12 teams that make it. It’s going to expand here. We have to be one of those teams at LSU. No substitute.”

“We’re LSU,” Ausberry said. “This place is not broken. The athletic department is not broken. We win.”

The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to announce the hiring of LSU’s next president on Tuesday.

“We’re not slowing down for that,” Ballard said. “Verge is going to move forward and knows what he needs to do. But, depending on how that works out and when the new president starts, the new president will absolutely have input and hopefully hit the ground running.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 17, 2022; College Station, Texas, USA; Former LSU head coach Ed Orgeron watches the game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Miami Hurricanes during the second half at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Former LSU coach Ed Orgeron would love to fill vacancy

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Former LSU head coach Ed Orgeron said on Wednesday that he’s “one phone call away” if the university wants him to fill the vacancy left by the firing of Brian Kelly.

Orgeron, who coached the Tigers for six seasons including a 15-0 run to the national championship in 2019, agreed with LSU to part ways following campaigns of 5-6 in 2020 and 6-6 in 2021.

He has not coached since then, but Orgeron, 64, said during an interview with ESPN’s “UnSportsmanLike” that he’d love to coach again in Baton Rouge, where he said he still has a home.

“I’d love to,” Orgeron said. “Are you kidding me? Hey, I’m one phone call away. I just gotta get in my truck, I could be there today.”

Orgeron has an overall record of 67-47 including three seasons at Ole Miss (2005-07), one as the interim coach at Southern California (2013) and six seasons at LSU (2016-21), where he was 51-20 overall and 4-1 in bowl games.

A native of Larose, La., Orgeron was asked if he was interested in returning as an assistant to Lane Kiffin, the Ole Miss head coach who has been linked to the LSU post. Kiffin was an assistant with Orgeron at USC.

“Yeah, I’d consider it,” he said. “I love LSU. I still got my home in Baton Rouge. I loved when I was coaching for Coach (Les) Miles being the defensive line coach. I love the Tigers, and if I’m getting back into coaching, for sure I’d consider it. No doubt.”

Kelly did not live up to lofty expectations at LSU, which fired him less than four years after he was hired away from Notre Dame and one day after a 49-25 home loss to No. 3 Texas A&M on Saturday.

The Tigers are 5-3, 2-3 in the Southeastern Conference. Kelly went 34-14, but he was perceived as not embracing the state’s culture, Orgeron said on Wednesday.

“I think that’s one of the things — whether it’s true or not — the look from the outside, Brian Kelly never embraced the state of Louisiana,” Orgeron said. “When you get those guys on your side, it’s very powerful. I think getting everybody to pull in the same direction, like Pete Carroll did, like we did, one team, one heartbeat, is gonna be the key for the next coach.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 13, 2021; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Ed Orgeron reacts during the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Former LSU coach Ed Orgeron ‘ready to coach again’

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Former LSU head coach Ed Orgeron said he is ready to return to the sidelines if he can find the right opportunity.

“All depends what the best thing available is,” Orgeron told Baton Rouge’s WAFB-TV on Wednesday night. “But I’m ready to coach again. I left a little bit of meat on the bone. I’m ready to go.”

Orgeron, 64, guided the Tigers to an undefeated national championship in 2019 with Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson fueling the offense.

LSU stumbled to a 5-5 finish in 2020 and was 6-6 in 2021 when Orgeron and the program agreed to part ways.

Orgeron has an overall record of 67-47 including three seasons at Ole Miss (2005-07), one as the interim coach at Southern California (2013) and six seasons at LSU (2016-21).

–Field Level Media

Michigan associate head coach Biff Poggi watches a play during the first half of the spring game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, April 19, 2025.

Michigan tabs Biff Poggi as interim coach during Sherrone Moore’s suspension

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Michigan has named Biff Poggi as the interim head coach during Sherrone Moore’s upcoming two-game suspension.

The Wolverines’ associate head coach will run the show on Saturday at home against Central Michigan and on Sept. 20 at Nebraska as well as the period between those two games, Moore announced on Monday.

Poggi, 66, was the head coach at Charlotte from 2023-24 (6-16 record) before being fired last November with two games left on the schedule.

Poggi previously was on the Michigan staff as an analyst in 2016 and as associate head coach under Jim Harbaugh from 2021-22.

Moore’s ban was part of the NCAA infractions handed down last month in the wake of a sign-stealing scandal that took place during the 2023 national championship season, when he was Harbaugh’s offensive coordinator.

Moore, whose suspension officially begins Saturday, will return to the sidelines for an Oct. 4 date with Wisconsin in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Moore has also been suspended for the 2026 season opener, although Michigan has appealed that punishment.

Michigan (1-1) fell eight spots to No. 23 in the AP poll Monday after a 24-13 loss at then-No. 18 Oklahoma last Saturday following a season-opening win against New Mexico.

–Field Level Media

Former Penn State star quarterback Trace McSorley answers a question during a Happy Valley United Q+A session at Medlar Field on Saturday, April 13, 2024, in State College.

Trace McSorley returns to Penn State as assistant QB coach

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Former Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley is returning to Happy Valley as assistant quarterbacks coach for the 2025 season.

Penn State spread the word on social media on Tuesday.

McSorley started 40 games for the Nittany Lions in the 2016-18 seasons. He played 47 total games for the Nittany Lions, throwing for 9,899 yards with 77 touchdowns — both school records at the time — and 25 interceptions.

McSorley, now 29, was 31-9 as a Penn State starter.

The Baltimore Ravens selected McSorley in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He spent time with six NFL franchises, appearing in nine games (one start) for the Ravens and Arizona Cardinals.

In the NFL, he completed 48 of 93 pass attempts for 502 yards with one touchdown and five interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore against the Kansas City Chiefs during Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Saints make it official, hire Kellen Moore as head coach

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The New Orleans Saints officially hired Kellen Moore on Tuesday as the 19th head coach in franchise history.

Moore is two days removed from helping the Philadelphia Eagles record a 40-22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. He was the Eagles’ offensive coordinator.

At 35, Moore becomes the youngest head coach in the NFL. He effectively replaced Dennis Allen, who was fired in November after a 2-7 start to the 2024 season.

The hiring of Moore also filled the NFL’s last available head-coaching position. There were seven openings shortly following the conclusion of the regular season.

“At the start of the interview process, it was important to find a head coach who was the right fit for the New Orleans Saints organization,” Saints owner Gayle Benson said. “Through the search process, it became clear that Kellen is the right person to help us re-establish a winning program and culture that our fans are accustomed to and have come to expect. I would also like to thank Darren Rizzi for his service as interim coach and leading our team this past season. I am truly grateful to him.”

Said Moore: “I am excited to join the New Orleans Saints and deeply appreciate the faith that Mrs. Benson and the entire Saints organization have placed in me. I look forward to embracing the challenges ahead and am eager to get started. I would also like to thank the Philadelphia Eagles for an incredible 2024 season. I’m excited to begin this new chapter.”

ESPN reported that new chapter may begin with Moore bringing in former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley as his defensive coordinator. Staley is considered a leading candidate to join Moore, who was the Chargers’ offensive coordinator under Staley in 2023.

A record-setting quarterback at Boise State, Moore was a backup quarterback with the Detroit Lions (2012-14) and Dallas Cowboys (2015-17). After six seasons in the NFL, Moore transitioned to coaching, first as the quarterbacks coach of the Cowboys (2018) and then as offensive coordinator (2019-22).

When then-head coach Mike McCarthy took over the play calling in 2023, Moore exited Dallas and became offensive coordinator with the Los Angeles Chargers before joining the Eagles in 2024.

The Eagles generated 367.2 yards of offense in 2024 — eighth in the NFL — and were second in rushing (179.3 yards per game) behind Saquon Barkley and his 2,005 rushing yards.

Moore won’t have the luxury of an impact player like Barkley in New Orleans, which is $54.1 million over the salary cap, per Over The Cap, and faces roster questions and decisions on both sides of the ball.

“I would like to welcome Kellen Moore and his family to New Orleans,” Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said. “He is an outstanding communicator with the ability to lead people and has a clear vision for this football team. Through this head coaching search, we had the opportunity to meet with several impressive candidates and I thank them for their hard work and preparation in this process.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 5, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn paces the sidelines during their against the Green Bay Packers in the first quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Report: Aaron Glenn to have second Jets interview

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The New York Jets will have a second, in-person interview with Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, NFL Network reported Monday.

Glenn, 52, conducted a virtual interview with the Jets regarding their head coaching vacancy on Jan. 9. He is also expected to meet in person with the New Orleans Saints.

Glenn’s season ended Saturday when the top-seeded Lions lost 45-31 to the visiting Washington Commanders in an NFC divisional playoff game.

Glenn was a first-round pick (12th overall) by the Jets in 1994. The three-time Pro Bowl defensive back played the first eight of his 15 NFL seasons with New York and later worked as a scout for the franchise from 2012-13.

He has been Detroit’s defensive coordinator since 2021 following stints as a defensive backs coach with the Saints (2016-20) and Cleveland Browns (2014-15).

The Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh after a 2-3 start this season and went 3-9 under interim coach Jeff Ulbrich.

–Field Level Media

New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka talks to reporters before organized team activities (OTAs) at the training center in East Rutherford on Thursday, May 19, 2022. Nfl Ny Giants Practice Syndication The Record

Report: Mike Kafka, Anthony Weaver get 2nd interviews with Saints

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The New Orleans Saints are hosting New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka for a second interview for their head coaching job Tuesday, while Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator will get a second look later this week, NFL Network reported.

Kafka, 37, will get a longer look in New Orleans after being a finalist for Seattle’s opening last winter. Weaver is again a finalist after bids with Washington and Atlanta a year ago. His second interview will be Wednesday, per the report.

Kafka has no experience leading an NFL team, but he has been the head coach for collegiate showcases in each of the past two seasons: the East-West Shrine Bowl on Feb. 1, 2024, and the upcoming Feb. 1 Senior Bowl.

He has been New York’s offensive coordinator since 2022 and added the title of assistant head coach on Brian Daboll’s staff in 2024.

The Giants finished 18th, 29th and 30th in the NFL in total offense from 2022-24 under Kafka.

A journeyman NFL quarterback who spent time with seven teams from 2010-15, Kafka joined Andy Reid’s staff in Kansas City in 2017 and moved his way up to quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator from 2020-21.

Weaver, 44, is in his first season as defensive coordinator with the Dolphins. He was a position coach on that side of the line with the New York Jets (2012), Buffalo Bills (2013), Cleveland Browns (2014-15), Houston Texans (2016-19) and Baltimore Ravens (2021-23) before becoming the Texans’ DC in 2020.

The Saints’ search has also included in-person interview with interim coach Darren Rizzi, who went 3-5 following the firing of Dennis Allen. New Orleans has had virtual interviews with offensive coordinators Kellen Moore and Joe Brady of the Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills, respectively.

–Field Level Media