Hiring a college football coach involves significant uncertainty and risk, often leading to regrettable choices. Despite thorough vetting, even promising hires may backfire. This retrospective highlights 15 of the least successful coaching decisions made within the past decade.

15. Chris Ash, Rutgers (2016-19)

Record: 8-32
Ash’s tenure began with high hopes but soon unraveled, leading to his firing in 2019. After a stint at Texas, he returned to college football at Notre Dame.

14. Nick Rolovich, Washington State (2020-21)

Record: 5-6
Taking over from Mike Leach, Rolovich’s season was marred by the COVID-19 pandemic. He was dismissed after not complying with state vaccine mandates.

13. Scott Frost, Nebraska (2018-22)

Record: 16-31
Frost’s time in Nebraska began with promise but ended in despair, with the team failing to reach a bowl game during his final three years.

12. Kevin Sumlin, Arizona (2018-20)

Record: 9-20
Once seen as a safe hire, Sumlin’s performance led to a significant decline for the Wildcats, resulting in his dismissal.

11. Mel Tucker, Michigan State (2020-23)

Record: 20-14
Despite a somewhat positive record, Tucker was fired following an investigation into allegations of misconduct.

10. Bryan Harsin, Auburn (2021-22)

Record: 9-12
Harsin’s lack of support and fit at Auburn led to a short tenure marked by disappointing performance.

9. Herm Edwards, Arizona State (2018-22)

Record: 18-20
Edwards, an unexpected hire, faced multiple challenges, including a major NCAA investigation into recruiting violations that marred his tenure.

8. Jimmy Lake, Washington (2020-21)

Record: 7-6
Lake struggled to adapt after taking over from Chris Petersen, leading to a rocky tenure that included his swift dismissal.

7. Mike Riley, Nebraska (2015-17)

Record: 19-19
Riley’s hiring raised eyebrows; he never met the expectations set after the firing of Bo Pelini.

6. Geoff Collins, Georgia Tech (2019-22)

Record: 10-28
Collins failed to deliver results despite a promising start in his previous coaching roles.

5. Jeremy Pruitt, Tennessee (2018-20)

Record: 5-19
Pruitt’s tenure ended with a scandal, leading to severe penalties for the program due to extensive recruiting violations.

4. Willie Taggart, Florida State (2018-19)

Record: 9-12
Taggart’s time at Florida State was ultimately disappointing and costly for the program.

3. Ryan Walters, Purdue (2023-24)

Record: 5-19
Against significant odds, Walters failed to build on his predecessor’s success, leading to disastrous performances.

2. Les Miles, Kansas (2019-20)

Record: 3-18
Once a national champion at LSU, Miles’s return to coaching ended abruptly and controversially with allegations of misconduct.

1. Chad Morris, Arkansas (2018-19)

Record: 4-18
Morris’s time at Arkansas was marked by a winless conference record, cementing this tenure as one of the worst in the program’s history.