Moving laterally in an attempt to advance one's career long-term is a common practice among those who've either stagnated or seen more upward mobility elsewhere. Recently, head coaches throughout college football have decided they'd rather bypass the stress of building rosters and managing players to be assistants at other programs. This new trend, which has thrown many schools in a whirlwind this late in the cycle, will only increase the amount of available talent for the Power Five.
Now former Georgia State head coach Shawn Elliott wasn't the first name to voluntarily take a demotion, but he was among the more important to do so. Elliott leaving for the tight ends coach job at South Carolina on Thursday was advertised as a personal decision; it's also of a much smaller magnitude than Chip Kelly bolting UCLA for future Big Ten foe Ohio State. Deciding to leave a school where you're captain of the ship, in favor of being the second or third in command, is no light matter. Especially in mid-February, when the majority of coaching staffs have already been built with spring ball on the horizon.
Sean Lewis was the first standing head coach of significance to make such a decision, when he left his role with Kent State to be the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach with Colorado. He reportedly received a pay increase that technically made the move a promotion, and wound up getting the head coaching job at San Diego State after one year, where he'll earn $1.7 million in 2024. That situation seemed destined for a much worse conclusion when he was stripped of play-calling duties in-season. But, things worked out for him.
One would think the midseason outcome of the guinea pig case study would deter future coaches from making similar decisions. Instead, it's led to more coaches making those types of moves. The motivation to do so isn't always about putting oneself on a path to get the best head coaching opportunity possible. In Elliott's case, it's about being close to family.
Other times, coaches don't want the stresses and responsibilities of being a head coach. Increasingly, coaches outside of the Power Five are concerned about their lack of resources to build a strong program -- something that will reflect negatively upon them. Those who actively look for a way out become a desirable asset to others.
Matt Entz had been widely considered one of the better head coaches, with a 60-11 record at the FCS level and two championships. Entz became one of USC's top offseason hires when Lincoln Riley brought him on board to be the associate head coach and linebackers coach. The same can be said for Kane Wommack, who left South Alabama after three successful seasons and took the defensive coordinator role on Kalen DeBoer's new staff at Alabama. Kelly also represents a major upgrade at play-caller for the Buckeyes.
None of those three coaches were swayed away from making such a move because of what occurred to Lewis after five games. In fact, Lewis getting a head coaching job reaffirms that coaches are more marketable once they're in the college football world's eye. Programs also received a greater glimpse at Colorado's early success under Deion Sanders and Lewis' role in it, since he was with a more prominent program.
As the poor get poorer, the rich keep getting richer. Gone are the days where a glaring talent gap can be made up for with a couple blue-chip recruits and good coaching. The student-athletes want money and the schools that don't have enough to offer are suffering in a huge way. Entz and Wommack knew it would take a lot for them to be recognized in the sport's lower levels. Out of sight, out of mind, right?
They're strategically positioning themselves to get noticed in the Power Five, which represents a major win-win for both sides. USC and Alabama will get an overqualified position coach leading the way in the short term, while the two longtime head coaches will theoretically get more visibility in the limelight.
It's a similar deal for Jeff Hafley, who left a mediocre Boston College program to be defensive coordinator of the Packers. Hafley knew getting to relevancy would be a tall order, and he was tired of the putting on the coach coolio act to motivate student-athletes. So, he left for the pros, where he could put his phone on airplane mode when on the golf course.
Those at or near the top of the college football food chain will have their pick of the litter when picking qualified coordinators moving forward. In addition to considering those who were fired or not selected in a given hiring cycle, they can now recruit disgruntled head coaches looking for a ticket out of town.
Smart head coaches will start to view this as their minor league system, while surrounding themselves with as much experience as possible. While the goal of having an expanded College Football Playoff setup was needed to increase the pool of competitive schools, the uptick in talented coaches joining Power Five programs will have a negating impact.
Now, it's no longer about having the most prestigious title or name, but rather about latching on to the schools that can offer the most. Just like the recruits who're allowed to be indecisive and seek out the best all-around fit, coaches are realizing they have the same type of leverage too.