Forget a possible college football playoff berth (yeah, we’re looking at you Brian Kelly), CFB coaches were ready for hotter horizons (yeah, that Louisiana heat is stifling). 

In this week’s edition of the ever-spinning college football coaching carousel money talked, so Lincoln Riley walked – straight to sunny Southern California. And he wasn’t the only one to change places.

Here are the five biggest CFB HC moves and what they mean for their respective programs’ title odds ahead of the 2023 season.

1. USC - Lincoln Riley
Odds to win 2023 College Football National Championship: +4000 (bet $100 → $4000)

The Trojans are in dire need of help, and Riley has already added a spark for the Trojan football program. He brings his creative offensive mind and recruiting prowess (he’s already flipped several top, native California Sooners commits) to a program looking to reclaim its national status.

2. LSU - Brian Kelly
Odds: +4000 (bet $100 → $4000)

Kelly’s new to the south, but his coaching acumen will easily travel to the SEC, a competitive market that has no trouble recruiting top talent. For a program that expects results immediately, Kelly’s hot seat is already cooking.

3. Notre Dame - Marcus Freeman
Odds: +3000 (bet $100 → $3000)

Freeman was met with overwhelming excitement from the current Notre Dame players, proving this move was seemingly right on. What he lacks in head coaching experience, he makes up for in relationships and familiarity.

4. Miami - Mario Cristobal
Odds: +10000 (bet $100 → $10,000)

Cristobal’s hometown hero status will pay dividends for a program looking to rise again to national prominence. There’s no question his recruiting skills are unmatched with how he reshaped the Ducks’ roster.

5. OU - Brent Venables
Odds: +3000 (bet $100 → $3000)

OU has seen success betting on first-time head coaches (Bob Stoops, Lincoln Riley). Despite the risk, the jaded Sooner family welcomed Venables in with open arms – literally rolling out the red carpet with excited fans, a boisterous band, fire machines, streamers and a custom set of Air Jordan sneaks.