There’s loyalty in college football… until a bigger paycheck or flashier program comes calling. Some coaches will preach commitment and family one week, then be halfway out the door before the team banquet wraps up.
Whether they left in the dead of night or bounced right after a rivalry win, these coaches made headlines—and enemies—on their way out. From sudden exits to flat-out ghosting, here are 15 college football coaches who ditched their team like it was nothing.
15. Brian Kelly
He told Notre Dame players he loved them, then dipped for LSU without a bowl game goodbye. The only thing more shocking than his exit was his sudden southern accent.
14. Lane Kiffin
Kiffin left Tennessee after just one season, like he was trying to beat traffic. Vols fans still haven’t forgiven him—and probably never will.
13. Bobby Petrino
Petrino has a PhD in messy exits, but his late-season ditching of the Atlanta Falcons to take the Arkansas job was next-level. He left a note in the locker room and vanished like a magician.
12. Lincoln Riley
He said he wasn’t going to LSU, and technically, he didn’t lie. Instead, he bolted to USC faster than you can say “Hollywood.”
11. Jimbo Fisher
Jimbo gave Florida State a national title, then gave them radio silence on the way to Texas A&M. The Seminoles were left with a folding chair and a bunch of unanswered texts.
10. Rich Rodriguez
Rodriguez left West Virginia high and dry right before a BCS bowl. His abrupt exit to Michigan felt like a soap opera twist no one wanted.
9. Todd Graham
Graham left Pitt after one season and didn’t even tell his players himself. He literally sent a text—yes, a text.
8. Willie Taggart
Oregon fans barely had time to unpack before Taggart packed up for Florida State. One year in Eugene, and he was gone like a gust of wind.
7. Urban Meyer
Meyer has done this more than once, but the way he bailed on Florida, citing health concerns—then popped up at Ohio State—was a real eyebrow-raiser. Timing is everything, apparently.
6. Scott Frost
Frost left UCF right after an undefeated season, saying he couldn’t pass up Nebraska. The Knights played their bowl game without him while he was already recruiting in Lincoln.
5. Tom Herman
Herman told his Houston players he was committed, then jetted off to Texas the moment the season ended. His exit was quick, quiet, and felt very businesslike.
4. Dennis Franchione
He bounced from Alabama to Texas A&M without so much as a goodbye meeting. When you ghost Bama, you know it’s bold.
3. John L. Smith
Smith took the Arkansas job while still coaching at Weber State and openly admitted he wasn’t sticking around. His tenure was short and awkward, just like his exit.
Read More: 16 College Football Coaches Who Left a Trail of Chaos
2. Mike Riley
Riley blindsided Oregon State by accepting the Nebraska job seemingly overnight. It was a Midwest money move that felt colder than a Lincoln winter.
Read More: 20 College Football Coaches Who Thought They Were Untouchable
1. Nick Saban
Before he was Alabama royalty, Saban told the world he wasn’t leaving the Miami Dolphins… then signed with the Crimson Tide days later. It’s the Houdini act that still haunts Dolphins fans and makes Bama fans forever grateful.
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