Yard Dash: Most Bitter Breakups Between Coaches and Their Former Schools
Sports Illustrated • • sports
Key Points:
- Lane Kiffin's move from Ole Miss to LSU has intensified one of college football's fiercest rivalries, with deep historical animosity between the two programs dating back to 1894 and longstanding fan hostility.
- Several current coaches, including James Franklin (Penn State), Jedd Fisch (Arizona), Pat Fitzgerald (Northwestern), and Lincoln Riley (Oklahoma), face backlash from their former fan bases due to abrupt departures or controversial moves.
- Past coaching departures that left bitter feelings among fans include Bobby Petrino (Louisville, Arkansas), Brian Kelly (Notre Dame), Nick Saban (LSU), and Dan Mullen (Mississippi State), each of whom left under contentious circumstances impacting their former programs.
- These coaching "divorces" often fuel ongoing rivalries and fan resentment, influencing future matchups and adding emotional intensity to college football seasons.
