Black Monday is often dreaded by current NFL coaches as a day that ends tenures. Yet for others, especially college coaches, it can represent new possibilities. The college and professional football worlds are deeply interconnected, with coaching changes often bridging both.
Black Monday Opens the Door for College Coaches Eyeing the NFL
College coaches often exercise near-total control over their programs. Still, the NFL remains a compelling next step. The desire to coach at football’s highest level, with its unique prestige and challenges, regularly tempts successful college coaches.
As coaching positions become available after Black Monday, college coaches may view this as an opportunity to transition to the NFL.
While USC hasn’t competed for a national title under Riley, his dynamic offense is appealing. Teams can market this to attract players. Riley is known for developing quarterbacks such as Jalen Hurts, Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and Caleb Williams. A team looking to draft a young quarterback may want a coach who relates closely to prospects.
The Las Vegas Raiders may draft a quarterback early. Riley could be a fit.
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USC is struggling in the competitive Big Ten. Oregon, Ohio State, Indiana, Washington, and Penn State challenge the Trojans for a College Football Playoff spot. Still, Riley leads the No. 4 offense by PFSN’s Offense Impact metric.
USC is a contender. Sports Illustrated estimates his buyout at about $90 million. It’s tough to fault a coach with a 76.3% win rate. Sticking with the Raiders, all signs point to the team firing Pete Carroll as they look towards the future.
After perhaps reaching his ceiling in Austin, Texas, coach Steve Sarkisian seems stuck in the SEC gauntlet. Sarkisian has experience, guiding the Atlanta Falcons to a Super Bowl. Given the game’s end, he may seek NFL redemption. The Falcons held a 28-3 lead over the Patriots in Super Bowl LIII. The Tennessee Titans could offer enough to draw him back to the pros.
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Texas fans want more than one national championship. Two decades have passed since Vince Young’s touchdown and Mack Brown’s trophy. Patience is thin, and the Titans need a coach.
The path from college to professional coaching has historical significance. From Jimmy Johnson leaving the University of Miami for the Dallas Cowboys to Jim Harbaugh’s pursuit of NFL success, the movement underscores the close connection between college and pro football.
Openings in the NFL often prompt college coaches to consider taking on new professional challenges.
