The Coaching Carousel - The Do’s and Don’ts for Businesses

Every winter, the college football coaching carousel becomes one of the most dramatic leadership upheavals in American sports. In 2025, the carousel was particularly volatile. Multiple programs fired coaches earlier than expected, often mid-season, and then rushed into new hires within days. Boosters demanded decisive action; fans amplified pressure, and athletic directors made million-dollar moves under a microscope. 


For businesses, it’s easy to dismiss this annual churn as entertainment, but the reality is more nuanced. College football programs face the same leadership dilemmas that companies do - underperformance, culture challenges, stakeholder pressure, competitive threats, and the fear of losing momentum. The difference is that football programs confront these forces at hyper-speed - often making major personnel decisions in hours rather than months. 


This accelerated environment produces lessons, both good and bad, about how organizations respond when leadership is failing. Below are the Do’s and Don’ts businesses can take away from the way college football programs fire their coaches, and why they often rush into the next hire. 

 

  • DON’T: Fire Without a Succession Plan (Even If Pressure Mounts) 

One consistent theme from the 2025 season: several programs fired coaches with no clear successor in mind. 


UCLA’s dismissal of DeShaun Foster in just three games into the season was a perfect example. Foster was a high-profile alumnus with strong player relationships, but early losses led to escalating fan frustration and internal concerns about program direction. UCLA acted quickly to fire him, but doing so left the program scrambling for leadership and stability. They eventually hired Bob Chesney, who was a strong cultural fit, but the initial firing created unnecessary turbulence. 


Businesses often do the same thing. When a leader falters, the pressure to “do something” can eclipse the need for strategic succession. Boards and CEOs sometimes dismiss underperforming executives impulsively, leaving teams directionless and forcing rushed searches. 


Business takeaway: 
Before making a firing decision, especially under pressure, ensure you have: 

  • a temporary successor 
  • a vetted shortlist 
  • clarity on what the next leader must bring 
  • a transition plan for teams and clients 


Without this, you’re not solving a problem- you’re compounding it. 

 

  • DO: Define What Success Looks Like Before You Search 

A core crisis in many football firings is a lack of alignment between expectations and reality. Coaches are often fired not because they’re outright failures, but because the program never clearly defined what success meant. 


Look at LSU in 2025. Brian Kelly was fired despite a respectable record by national standards, but LSU boosters expected national contention every year. When performance slipped below that mark, the disconnect became untenable. Then, LSU got caught up in some unnecessary drama with misalignment from multiple stakeholders regarding who has hiring and firing authority. No wonder they never solved what “success” looked like. 

The same thing happens in business when leaders are hired under vague or overly ambitious expectations. If “success” means different things to stakeholders, the hire is set to fail. 


Business takeaway: 
Before starting your search: 

  • Define expectations concretely 
  • Align board and stakeholder vision 
  • Codify cultural priorities 


This ensures you hire for reality - not fantasy. 

 

  • DON’T: Hire in Haste Just to “Win the News Cycle”

College football programs care deeply about perception. When a head coach is fired, boosters and fans expect immediate reassurance. That leads to knee-jerk hires where the priority is speed and optics rather than fit.   


The 2025 carousel saw multiple programs rush hires within days of firing coaches, sometimes skipping broader searches.  Penn State was rumored to have engaged in serious discussions with 3 prospects, with all of them negotiating new deals with their current programs, before the Nittany Lions landed on Matt Campbell from Iowa State. 


Businesses do this too. After a public executive departure, companies sometimes hire quickly just to demonstrate control. But a fast hire that later fails is far more damaging than a slow, deliberate one. 


Business takeaway: 
Speed should never outrank strategy. A thoughtful process reassures stakeholders more than a rushed announcement ever will. 

 

  • DO: Learn From the Mistake and Adjust the Next Hire Accordingly

Some programs in 2025 demonstrated a valuable principle: the second decision can fix the first, if you learn from it. 

UCLA’s rehire after firing Foster showed clear reflection. Their initial hire emphasized emotional connection and recruiting upside. But the next move, hiring Bob Chesney, emphasized proven systems, clear identity, and cultural alignment. UCLA changed its criteria and recalibrated its expectations. 


Similarly, Stanford fired Troy Taylor earlier in the year following concerns about program direction and culture. Their next hire, Tavita Pritchard, was a past member of the Cardinal’s coaching staff known for stability and alignment with Stanford’s academic and philosophical identity.


Rather than repeating the same mistake, Stanford course corrected. 

Businesses often fail here. They fire a leader but then hire someone nearly identical, because the root cause of failure was never clearly articulated. 


Business takeaway: 
Post-mortem analysis is essential. Identify: 

  • What went wrong 
  • What was missing 
  • What stakeholders expected but didn’t receive 
  • What qualities matter most next time 


Then hire based on those insights - not simply on instinct. 

 

  • DON’T: Let Stakeholder Noise Dictate Decisions 

In college football, boosters, fans, media, and donors create a storm of pressure. This noise often accelerates firings or influences hires in unhealthy ways. 

Businesses face similar noise: activist investors, board factions, client concerns, internal politics, and public perception. 


Leaders who succumb to noise risk making short-term decisions that hurt long-term stability. 


Business takeaway: 
Listen to stakeholders, but don’t let them drive the process.
Data, fit, and long-term strategy must guide leadership hiring. 

 

  • DO: Leverage Internal Talent When Stability Matters More Than Splash 

Amid the chaos of 2025, some programs opted for internal stability rather than external splash. 

While many schools chased headline-grabbing hires, others elevated coordinators and internal staff who already had trust equity with players.


These transitions, including schools that promoted assistants after mid-season firings, created continuity in an environment where change was everywhere. 


Business takeaway: 

The flashy external hire is not always the right one. Internal candidates often bring: 

  • Quicker adaptation 
  • Stronger cultural alignment 
  • Built-in trust 
  • Reduced onboarding risk 

Especially after a turbulent departure, stability can be more valuable than novelty. 

 

  • DON’T: Underestimate the Ripple Effects of Leadership Turnover 

Firing in college football isn’t isolated. It affects: 

  • Recruiting 
  • Donor confidence 
  • Locker room morale 
  • Staff retention 
  • Public perception 


The same is true in business. Leadership changes impact: 

  • Client relationships 
  • Employee engagement 
  • Brand reputation 
  • Productivity 
  • Strategic continuity 


Business takeaway: 

Programs that manage these effects proactively, communicate openly, support interim leaders, and maintain messaging discipline reduce fallout. 

Businesses need to treat leadership transitions as enterprise-level events, not HR procedures. 

 


The 2025 college football season demonstrated how high-pressure environments reveal the strengths and flaws of leadership decision-making. Businesses can learn from both the impulsive mistakes and intentional successes that football programs showed this year. 

If businesses apply these lessons, they’ll avoid the chaos of the coaching carousel, while benefiting from the clarity it provides about leadership, culture, and long-term success. 

 


By Effie Zimmerman August 13, 2026
Chief Operations Officer ABOUT THE COMPANY STUDSON is a fast-growing safety technology company based in Sherwood, Oregon, redefining industrial head protection. Founded in 2019, the company designs premium Type II safety helmets that incorporate advanced impact protection technology commonly found in sports helmets, helping construction and industrial workers get home safely every day. Driven by innovation and a strong mission, STUDSON is challenging a century of conventional hard hat design and is quickly becoming a recognized leader in the industrial safety market. ABOUT THE ROLE STUDSON is transforming industrial head protection through innovative technology, premium product design, and an uncompromising commitment to worker safety. Having established a strong market position and a solid operational foundation, the company is entering its next phase of growth. To support that growth, STUDSON is seeking a Chief Operating Officer to build the organizational operating system that will enable the business to scale while preserving the speed, innovation, and entrepreneurial culture that define the company today. Reporting directly to the Founder & CEO, the COO will be responsible for translating strategy into disciplined execution across the organization. While overseeing the company's operational functions—including supply chain, sourcing, planning, customer success, and quality —the primary mandate is broader: to create alignment, accountability, and repeatable processes that allow the organization to execute consistently as it grows. This executive will partner closely with every functional leader to improve cross-functional collaboration, strengthen decision-making, and establish operational processes that allow the business to move faster with greater clarity. Success will not be measured by maintaining operations, but by building an organization capable of scaling efficiently while delivering exceptional customer and financial outcomes. The ideal candidate is an experienced operator who has helped high-growth companies evolve from entrepreneurial organizations into disciplined, process-driven businesses without sacrificing agility or innovation. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Organizational Leadership & Operating Excellence Partner with the CEO to translate strategic priorities into company-wide execution plans. Design and implement a scalable business operating system that establishes standard work, management routines, visual performance management, and continuous improvement practices across the organization. Champion a culture of continuous improvement, equipping leaders with practical problem-solving methodologies that eliminate waste, improve execution, and increase organizational agility. Lead cross-functional process improvement initiatives that simplify workflows, reduce complexity, and improve quality, speed, and customer outcomes. Build management processes that improve alignment, accountability, communication, and execution across all functions. Develop an organization capable of scaling efficiently without creating unnecessary bureaucracy. Process Improvement & Business Scalability Lead the continuous evolution of business processes across the organization, leveraging existing technology platforms to improve execution rather than adding complexity. Standardize workflows where appropriate while preserving flexibility and entrepreneurial speed. Identify operational bottlenecks and implement practical solutions that improve throughput, responsiveness, and organizational effectiveness. Foster a culture of continuous improvement, disciplined execution, and data-informed decision-making. Supply Chain & Operational Performance Lead the end-to-end supply chain, including procurement, manufacturing partners, inventory planning, logistics, fulfillment, and customer success. Ensure operational capabilities support both current growth and future product expansion. Strengthen forecasting, inventory management, and S&OP disciplines to improve service levels while optimizing working capital. Build resilient supplier relationships and continuously improve quality, delivery, and cost performance. Cross-Functional Execution Partner with Product Development to ensure successful commercialization of new products. Collaborate with Sales and Marketing to improve demand planning, product availability, and customer responsiveness. Work closely with Finance to improve forecasting accuracy, margin performance, and operational planning. Support Human Resources in developing organizational capability, leadership effectiveness, and performance management. Business Performance Develop meaningful KPI’s and operational scorecards that provide visibility into company performance. Improve operational efficiency, gross margin, inventory productivity, customer satisfaction, and organizational responsiveness. Balance growth, profitability, and operational risk while maintaining STUDSON's commitment to quality and customer experience. People & Culture Build and develop a high-performing operational team grounded in accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Create clarity around expectations, priorities, and decision rights throughout the organization. Help preserve STUDSON's entrepreneurial culture while introducing the operational discipline required for continued growth. IDEAL CANDIDATE Fifteen or more years of progressive leadership experience in operations, supply chain, or general management within a high-growth manufacturing organization. Demonstrated experience implementing or leading a business operating system such as Lean, the Toyota Production System, or a comparable continuous improvement framework that improved organizational performance and scalability. Strong understanding of operational excellence principles, including process mapping, root cause analysis, visual management, standard work, and KPI-driven performance management. Proven ability to build continuous improvement capabilities within leadership teams by coaching managers to solve problems systematically and sustain operational gains. Experience leading cross-functional business transformation rather than simply managing functional operations. Strong understanding of supply chain, sourcing, manufacturing, inventory planning, and customer operations. Proven ability to leverage an ERP and business systems to improve execution, reporting, and decision-making. Strong financial acumen with experience improving margins, working capital, and operational performance. Exceptional leadership presence with the ability to influence across functions and levels. Comfortable operating in an entrepreneurial, founder-led environment where adaptability, humility, and hands-on leadership are essential. Interested in Learning More? 180one has been retained by STUDSON to manage this search. If interested in learning more about the opportunity, please contact Tom Haley / 503.334.1350/ tom@180one.com .
By Effie Zimmerman August 7, 2026
Director, Operations and Supply Chain ABOUT THE COMPANY Warn Automotive (Warn Auto) is a world leader in driveline disconnect technology. Their heritage comes from making WWII surplus Jeeps easier to drive on the road with the first unlocking hubs. They continue today by making disconnects for cars, trucks, and SUVs around the world. These trusted technologies come from years of innovation and listening to customer needs. Warn Auto designs, tests, and manufactures best-in-class products and solutions focusing on our customers’ productivity, efficiency, and profitability. To do that, their teams collaborate worldwide to share knowledge, research, and resources, which have kept them strong and stable since 1925. Warn Auto is a Vehicle Service Group (VSG) company that is part of Dover Corporation ’s Engineered Products segment and is the holding company for some of the most trusted names in the vehicle service industry. ABOUT THE ROLE The Director of Operations & Supply Chain is responsible for leading all manufacturing, logistics, and supply chain functions for the Warn Auto business. This role drives operational performance, profitability, quality, and on-time delivery while fostering a culture of safety, continuous improvement, and employee development. Working closely with Dover and Vehicle Service Group leadership, the incumbent develops and executes operational strategies, leverages enterprise resources, and aligns teams, metrics, and processes to achieve business objectives and support long-term growth. KEY Responsibilities Oversee and direct overall production, including efficient use of equipment, materials, and personnel required to produce Tier 1 automotive products. As well as ensuring outgoing quality, safety, and compliance with customer, state, and federal regulations. Direct team of planning, purchasing, and shipping/ receiving personnel to stated strategy, goals, and objectives set forth by the organization. Ensure team is engaged and collaborating across all responsibilities. Including production planning, inventory control, purchasing, receiving, warehousing, and product shipping. Develops and implements policies and procedures, formulating manufacturing operations strategies, building and mentoring manufacturing employees, and driving business results. This includes ensuring quality equipment, materials and production standards, overseeing and maintaining manufacturing budgets and staffing to manufacture quality products that meet customer expectations in the most cost-effective manner. Partners with the executive team in developing business strategy and operating plans. Including leading the creation and implementation of tactical plans to achieve Strategy. Extending to production team leaders and team members through communications tactics, goal alignment, and performance management. Partners with key stakeholders to ensure Continuous Improvement and provide visible support and leadership for Lean initiatives. Drive continuous improvement projects such as lean, 5S, and visualization throughout the Warn Auto operations organization. Review and develop a strategic supply base in collaboration with quality, engineering functions, and the Dover Asia Pacific Office. Drive customer requirements and automotive standards to all suppliers with a focus on clarity and understanding. Including negotiation, review, and management of contracts for all procured goods, services, and capital equipment globally. Develop plans and lead critical supplier negotiations to ensure competitive pricing and terms aligned to strategic goals, automotive requirements, and customer expectations. Including assignment of resources (Dover Sourcing, VSG, APO, 3rd party, and Warn Auto Team) and clear guidance to ensure comprehensive negotiation targets are met across the entire supply base. Develop strategic direction, objectives, tactics, and supporting budgets, justification, and resource plans to ensure corporate growth and financial objectives are met. Includes collaboration with Warn Auto leadership team, VSG Leadership team, and Dover Corporate functions. Partner with sales, marketing, production, finance, and operations to align forecasts, production plans, and business priorities. CANDIDATE PROFILE A bachelor's degree in an applicable field from an accredited college or university is required. MBA is strongly preferred. Minimum ten years of operations and supply chain leadership experience in a manufacturing environment. High-volume critical operations such as aerospace and automotive are preferred. Rapid growth and transformation experience preferred. Effective at communicating, verbally and in writing, with all levels of stakeholders and coworkers Highly ethical, self-motivated individual with ability to work independently and/or with limited direction, as well as cooperatively in a team environment, while consistently demonstrating collaborative, respectful and productive work habits. Interested in Learning More? 180one has been retained by Warn Automotive to manage this search. If interested in learning more about the opportunity, please contact Nicole Brady at 503-699-0184 or via email at nicole@180one.com .
By Effie Zimmerman August 3, 2026
General Manager, Northern California & Nevada Region ABOUT THE COMPANY With roots dating back to 1938, The Papé Group is the West’s leading supplier of capital equipment solutions. Today, Papé operates across nine states with over 4,000 team members, proudly representing premier brands including John Deere, Kenworth, Hyster, Ditch Witch, and more. What sets Papé apart is its commitment to long-term relationships, both with customers and employees. As a fourth-generation, family-led business, Papé believes in the value of a handshake, the importance of service, and the impact of leadership that stays close to the work. Papé Kenworth is one of the largest Kenworth truck dealers in the Western United States, providing sales, leasing, rental, parts, and service for medium and heavy-duty trucks. Founded in 2007 as part of Papé Group, the division supports commercial fleets and owner-operators with a commitment to maximizing uptime through exceptional customer service, expert technicians, and a network of locations across the West. ABOUT THE POSITION Reporting to the President of the Papé Kenworth business, the General Manager (GM) will be responsible for driving performance, growth, and operational excellence across the Papé Kenworth & Papé Truck Leasing branches in Northern, CA & Nevada. This includes branches in San Leandro, CA, Morgan Hill, CA, Sacramento, CA, and Sparks, NV. This role demands a strategic mindset, operational oversight, and a strong leadership presence to guide branch teams in delivering outstanding service, sales, and profitability. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Lead and manage the operations of multiple branches, aligning each with company objectives and performance standards. Develop and implement regional sales strategies, forecast performance, and set measurable business goals. Oversee branch budgets, control operating costs, and ensure long-term profitability of the region. Monitor market share trends, competitor activity, and local market dynamics to maintain a competitive edge. Drive customer satisfaction by ensuring exceptional service and support across all departments. Champion a high-performance culture focused on results, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Lead, manage, develop, train, and build leadership and branch teams. Regularly visit branches in the region to ensure operational excellence and to provide leadership and management to managers and team members. All of your efforts are geared towards providing exceptional service to our customers and being the leading Class 8 on-highway, vocational, and Class 6-7 medium-duty truck dealer in the area. If you are a great leader, results-driven, and are looking to make a difference, consider joining Papé today. CANDIDATE PROFILE The ideal candidate brings a proven track record of successful management experience in capital goods or dealership environments. Key strengths include: Strong background in sales, marketing, budgeting, and personnel leadership. Demonstrated experience in developing teams, setting performance goals, and achieving sales targets. Must reside within, or be willing to relocate, to the assigned regional area. Experience developing and executing regional sales strategies that consistently exceed revenue and profitability targets. Experience leading cross-functional teams with preference for leading sales, service, parts, and leasing. Preferred Bachelor’s degree is preferred, or equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible industry experience. 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in heavy equipment, construction equipment, agricultural equipment, industrial machinery, or other related capital equipment industry. Minimum of 5 years in leadership roles. Interested in Learning More? 180one is an executive search firm and is assisting Papé Group in this search. If interested in learning more about the opportunity, please contact Lisa Heffernan / 971.256.3076/ lisa@180one.com .
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