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Is Brennan’s Ship Already Sinking? The Arizona Wildcats 2025 Football Preview Reveals Hard Truths

Mark Haines on April 17, 2025

Brent Brennan’s Arizona Wildcats sit at a brutal crossroads heading into 2025.

After inheriting a 10-win team that had just claimed an Alamo Bowl victory, Brennan steered the program straight into an iceberg during his debut season. The wreckage was spectacular:

A disastrous 4-8 record (2-7 in Big 12 play)
Six fewer wins than the previous season
Embarrassing blowout losses, including a 49-7 humiliation against rival Arizona State
A complete collapse from a preseason #21 ranking to irrelevance

Let’s address the elephant in the room: Brennan’s coaching record portrays mediocrity.

His career .404 winning percentage (37-56) tells a story that Arizona fans desperately hoped wouldn’t repeat itself in Tucson. At San Jose State, Brennan established a clear pattern:

First two seasons: Abysmal (2-11, 1-11)
Middle seasons: Marginal improvement, but still losing records
One outlier 7-1 season during pandemic-shortened 2020
Return to mediocrity in subsequent seasons

When you strip away the coaching speak and recruiting rankings, you’re left with a simple truth: Brennan has never sustained success at any point in his career.

Key Players to Watch in 2025

The quarterback battle will dominate early headlines and could define Arizona’s ceiling.

With Noah Fifita’s inconsistent performance in 2024, all eyes will be on these signal-callers:

Braedyn Locke (Wisconsin transfer): Brings Big Ten experience and pocket poise that could stabilize the offense
Sawyer Robinson (Freshman): The Dallas-area record-setter has tremendous upside as the potential future of the program
Robert McDaniel (4-star recruit): Another high-ceiling freshman who could surprise in competition

At running back, the offense desperately needs a spark:

Ismail Mahdi (Texas State transfer): The home-run threat who averaged over 5 yards per carry across two seasons
Mike Mitchell (Transfer): Provides needed depth and power running to complement Mahdi’s explosiveness

The receiver room must replace Tetairoa McMillan’s production:

Kris Hutson (Washington State transfer): Expected to be the new WR1 with his speed and route-running precision
Tre Spivey (Kansas State transfer): At 6’4″, brings the size element missing from other receiver options
Luke Wysong (New Mexico transfer): Coming off a productive season with 69 receptions for 840 yards

Defensively, watch these potential difference-makers:

Blake Gotcher (Northwestern State transfer): The tackling machine (162 tackles in 2024) who must immediately shore up run defense
Tiaoalii Savea (Texas transfer): Expected to provide immediate impact on the defensive line
Jay’Vion Cole (Texas transfer): Cornerback who must stabilize a secondary that struggled last season
Zac Siulepa (Freshman DL): The massive 6’7″, 350-pound New Zealand native with immense potential

What Should Fans Look For?

The spring showcase on April 19th will provide the first authentic glimpses of what’s to come.

Early signs to monitor:

Offensive scheme transformation: How drastically will new OC Seth Doege change the offensive approach? Watch for formation variations, tempo changes, and how the running game is incorporated.
Quarterback hierarchy: Which QB takes first-team reps early will indicate the initial pecking order, though expect this battle to extend through fall camp.
Defensive front seven improvements: The most glaring weakness last season was stopping the run. Watch how new DL coach Joe Salave’a reorganizes the front seven and whether the tackling fundamentals improve.
Transfer integration: With 25+ transfers, team chemistry could be an issue. Watch for natural leadership emerging from the transfer group.
Special teams emphasis: Often overlooked, but poor special teams play cost Arizona in multiple close games last season. Any visible changes here would signal a comprehensive program rebuilding.

Once the season begins, these benchmarks will determine success:

For Arizona fans, the 2025 season isn’t just about wins and losses – it’s about seeing tangible evidence that the program is moving in the right direction.

After the regression of 2024, even competitive losses that show fight and execution would represent progress over last season’s frequent blowouts.

The Portal Hail Mary: 53 New Players for 2025

If there’s one area where Brennan deserves credit, it’s that he recognizes that a total roster overhaul was necessary.

This offseason brought a staggering 53 new players to the program:

23 high school recruits
5 community college transfers
25 four-year transfers (ranked 15th nationally by Rivals)

The transfer additions specifically target glaring weaknesses:

RB Ismail Mahdi (Texas State): 2,300+ yards over two seasons
WR Kris Hutson (Washington State): A proven big-play threat
QB Braedyn Locke (Wisconsin): Potential starter with P5 experience
LB Blake Gotcher (Northwestern State): Led Division I with 162 tackles
OL help from Michigan, Georgia Tech, and Texas Tech

The coaching staff also received a makeover with Seth Doege (OC) and Joe Salave’a (DL/associate HC), who brought fresh perspectives to a program desperate for new ideas.

A Schedule With No Mercy

Arizona opens at home against Hawaii on August 30th before welcoming Weber State on September 6th.

The conference schedule offers no relief:

Road games against Iowa State (11-3 last season), Houston, Colorado, Cincinnati, and rival ASU
Home matchups with Oklahoma State, BYU, Kansas, and Baylor
Two bye weeks (September 20 and October 25) that could provide crucial adjustment periods

This schedule offers no soft landing spots for a coach already on the hot seat.

The Bottom Line: It’s Bowl or Bust

Brennan’s track record suggests a coach destined to hover around mediocrity rather than build a consistent winner.

His career pattern shows brief flashes of potential surrounded by long stretches of underperformance. The 2020 pandemic season at San Jose State looks increasingly like an anomaly rather than evidence of building prowess.

For Arizona fans, the bar for 2025 is painfully clear: reaching bowl eligibility (6-6) would represent significant progress. Anything less likely means another coaching search by December.

The countdown to August 30th has already begun — perhaps the final chapter of the brief Brennan era in Tucson.

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THIS IS SCOTT SATTERFIELD’S FINAL CHANCE TO RESURRECT CINCINNATI

Mark Haines on April 16, 2025

Scott Satterfield has 12 Saturdays to save his job.

After back-to-back losing seasons and a dismal 8-16 record, the Cincinnati head coach enters 2025 with the temperature rising and patience wearing thin. The contrast couldn’t be more stark between Satterfield’s tenure and the Luke Fickell era that preceded it—a golden age that saw the Bearcats crash the College Football Playoff and compile a stunning 53-10 record.

For Bearcats fans who once tasted the sweetness of national relevance, the current state of affairs is unacceptable.

The Brutal Truth: Satterfield’s On The Hot Seat

Is Scott Satterfield the right man for the job?

That question hangs over Nippert Stadium like a storm cloud as the Bearcats enter a pivotal 2025 campaign. The statistical reality is sobering:

Satterfield’s .333 winning percentage stands in stark contrast to the program’s recent history
Cincinnati finished 2024 with a 5-7 record after a promising 5-2 start
Five consecutive losses to end last season continued a troubling pattern
Industry analysts, including On3’s Andy Staples, have placed Satterfield firmly on the hot seat

“We’re trending up, and we’re going in the right direction,” Satterfield claimed after the final game of 2024, pointing to young players gaining experience.

But the math suggests otherwise.

The Financial Stakes Are Enormous

Cincinnati invested heavily in Satterfield when they hired him.

His six-year, $3.4 million annual contract runs through 2028, with a 100% buyout clause for early termination—a potentially expensive decision for Athletic Director John Cunningham if the team struggles again. The financial commitment also includes a record $7.25 million assistant coaching pool, bringing the total coaching investment to $10.65 million annually.

This massive financial stake only heightens the pressure to produce results immediately.

A Coaching Staff Overhaul Was Necessary

Satterfield recognized changes were needed and acted accordingly:

Special Teams and Cornerbacks Coach Kerry Coombs departed
Co-Defensive Coordinator and Stars Coach Nate Fuqua left the program
Adam Braithwaite joined from Samford to coach safeties
Eddie Hicks arrived from LSU as cornerbacks analyst
Special teams will see complete restructuring after ranking 80th nationally in net field position

“Tim Connor is still on our staff here… I want all eyes on it,” Satterfield explained about special teams. “We’ve got to put the best guys on the field… We’re going to do all we can to emphasize our special teams and all hands on deck in the coaching staff.”

The staff changes signal Satterfield’s awareness that the status quo was unacceptable.

The Players Who Will Determine Cincinnati’s Fate

Will these key players elevate the program or continue the downward trend?

Offensive Firepower

Brendan Sorsby (QB): Generated 2,453 passing yards with 16 touchdowns through the air and 8 more on the ground in 2024
Corey Kiner (RB): Produced back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, including 1,153 yards in 2024
Xzavier Henderson (WR): Led the team with 52 receptions for 632 yards in 2024
Joe Royer (TE): Provides stability and leadership in the passing game

Defensive Anchors

Dontay Corleone (DL): Returns as the standout defensive lineman and NFL prospect
Jack Dingle and Jared Bartlett (LB): Veteran linebackers expected to anchor the middle of the defense
Josh Minkins and Derrick Canteen: Returning secondary leaders

Impact Transfers

Tawee Walker (RB): Adds power and experience from Wisconsin
Cyrus Allen (WR): Brings deep-threat capability from Texas A&M
Matthew McDoom (CB): Bolsters the secondary from Coastal Carolina
Taran Tyo (OL): Provides offensive line experience from Ball State
Christian Harrison (DB): Competes for starting role after transferring from Tennessee

The talent is there, but integration and development remain critical questions.

NFL Draft Prospects Creating Their Own Stories

Despite team struggles, several Bearcats are generating NFL Draft buzz:

Luke Kandra (OG): The All-Big 12 offensive guard has allowed just one sack over 24 games
Corey Kiner (RB): Consecutive 1,000-yard seasons have scouts taking notice
John Williams (OT): Consistent starter at left tackle with prototypical size
Xzavier Henderson (WR): Reliable hands and production make him an intriguing prospect

Individual success stories could help change the program’s perception among recruits.

The Statistical Case For Optimism

Can Cincinnati turn close losses into victories in 2025?

The 2024 statistics reveal reasons for cautious optimism:

Balanced attack: 236.5 passing yards, 184.1 rushing yards per game
Efficient ground game: 5.2 yards per carry
Solid completion percentage: 63.8% team completion rate
First down advantage: +3.3 first downs per game over opponents

Four one-score losses suggest that fine-tuning, rather than a complete overhaul, could flip the script.

The Roadblocks Standing In Their Way

But significant obstacles remain before Cincinnati can compete for bowl eligibility:

Turnover margin: -0.3 per game in 2024 proved costly in close games
Defensive inconsistency: 385.5 total yards allowed per game
Red zone efficiency: Scoring didn’t match yardage production
Special teams liability: Among the nation’s worst in field position
Late-season fades: Back-to-back years with 5+ game losing streaks

These aren’t minor issues—they’re program-defining weaknesses that must be addressed immediately.

A Schedule That Offers Both Opportunity And Peril

The 2025 slate features pivotal matchups that will define Cincinnati’s season:

Must-Win Home Games

UCF (October 11): This is a winnable rivalry game with Big 12 standing implications
Baylor (October 25): This is a critical swing game against a rebuilding Bears team
BYU (November 22): Late-season opportunity against a beatable opponent
Bowling Green (September 6): This is a non-conference game that cannot slip away
Northwestern State (September 13): FCS opponent that must be handled decisively

Season-Defining Road Tests

Nebraska (August 27): The season opener at Arrowhead Stadium sets the tone
Kansas (September 27): First conference road test against an improving Jayhawks team
Oklahoma State (October 18): Challenging trip to Stillwater
Utah (November 1): Perhaps the most challenging game on the schedule
TCU (November 29): The season finale that could determine bowl eligibility

Early momentum is essential with this challenging schedule.

The Pathway To Salvation For Satterfield

What must happen for Cincinnati to reach bowl eligibility and cool Satterfield’s hot seat?

Quarterback elevation: Brendan Sorsby must reduce turnovers and increase TD production
Special teams revival: The restructured coaching approach must yield immediate improvement
Turnover creation: The defense must generate more than 1.2 takeaways per game
Transfer impact: Newcomers need to make immediate contributions
Health preservation: Key players like Kiner and Sorsby must stay injury-free
Early momentum: At least a 3-1 start is essential before hitting the Big 12 gauntlet
Home-field advantage: Nippert Stadium must become a true advantage again

The margin for error is nonexistent.

The Bottom Line: It’s Now Or Never For Satterfield

The clock is ticking loudly in Cincinnati.

Industry projections suggest another 5-7 finish, but program expectations demand at least 6-6 and bowl eligibility. With a buyout that becomes increasingly prohibitive the longer Cincinnati waits, 2025 represents an actual inflection point for Satterfield and the program.

As the Bearcats continue spring practice and Nebraska looms on the horizon, the question isn’t whether Satterfield is on the hot seat—it’s whether he can finally deliver the results this proud program demands.

Twelve Saturdays will tell the story.

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UTSA Football in 2025: The Definitive Blueprint for Roadrunner Domination

Mark Haines on April 14, 2025

The UTSA Football Roadrunners are about to embark on their most pivotal season yet.

After finishing 7-6 in 2024 with a dominant Myrtle Beach Bowl victory, UTSA enters 2025 at a critical crossroads. Head coach Jeff Traylor’s sixth season presents a fascinating case study in program building: an established offensive identity powered by returning stars versus a defense undergoing complete reconstruction.

The question isn’t whether UTSA can remain competitive in the American Athletic Conference—it’s whether they can finally break through and capture the conference championship that has eluded them thus far.

The Roadrunners’ 2024 Season Revealed Something Crucial About Their Identity

UTSA’s 2024 campaign exposed both its greatest strength and its most glaring weakness.

Home dominance: A perfect 6-0 record when playing in San Antonio
Road vulnerability: A concerning 1-6 mark away from the Alamodome
Offensive firepower: 33.2 points per game (27th nationally) behind QB Owen McCown’s 3,424 passing yards
Defensive struggles: 30.1 points allowed per game (102nd nationally)
Conference performance: 4-4 in AAC play, showing they can compete but haven’t broken through

The bowl game blowout of Coastal Carolina (44-15) offered a tantalizing glimpse of what this program can become when firing on all cylinders.

What made the season particularly impressive was how the Roadrunners finished above .500 despite such a stark home/road performance gap.

The Offensive Arsenal Is Locked and Loaded

McCown’s return gives UTSA the most valuable asset in college football: an experienced quarterback who knows the system.

His 62.3% completion rate and 283.5 passing yards per game provide a rock-solid foundation.
Robert Henry (706 yards, 7 TDs in 2024) returns to anchor a ground attack that averaged 167.7 yards per game.
Willie McCoy (536 yards, 4 TDs) headlines a receiving corps bolstered by exciting transfers.
AJ Wilson (Houston Christian) brings deep-threat capability to stretch defenses verticall.y
Jaelen Smith (Michigan State) adds Power Five experience and route-running precision.
Offensive line reinforcements Trevor Timmons (Georgia State) and Darrell Jones (Bowie State) should improve protection.

The addition of BYU transfer Noah Lugo as McCown’s backup provides the quarterback depth that championship-caliber programs require.

This offensive unit has legitimate potential to improve on last year’s impressive numbers.

The Defensive Rebuild Will Define UTSA’s Ceiling

No position group faces more questions than a defense returning just two of its top 16 contributors from 2024.

AAC Defensive Player of the Year Jimmori Robinson’s departure leaves a massive void in the pass rush
Linebacker Martavius French’s transfer to Colorado removes a reliable tackler from the middle level
Denver Harris’s exit to UNLV creates uncertainty in a secondary that allowed 265.8 passing yards per game
Owen Pewee emerges as the unit’s expected leader but will need substantial support
TCU transfer Shad Banks Jr. and East Texas A&M transfer Brandon Tucker must provide immediate impact at linebacker
Edge rusher Kaian Roberts-Day (Baylor) has the unenviable task of replacing Robinson’s disruption
Safety transfers Cameron Upshaw Jr. (Memphis) and KK Meier (Nevada) will anchor a rebuilding secondary

Early-season growing pains seem inevitable, but if defensive coordinator Neal Neathery can accelerate the unit’s development, UTSA’s championship aspirations become significantly more realistic.

The defense doesn’t need to be elite—it just needs to be good enough to complement the explosive offense.

The Schedule: A Perfect Test of UTSA’s Evolution

The 2025 slate offers UTSA a chance to prove they’ve solved their road woes.

Aug. 30 at Texas A&M: An immediate litmus test against SEC competition
Sept. 6 vs. Texas State: This is A crucial regional rivalry that could set the tone for home dominance
Sept. 13 vs. Incarnate Word: This is another opportunity to establish momentum before conference play
Sept. 20 at Colorado State: This is the first actual road test against a comparable opponent
Oct. 4 at Temple: Conference opener presents a chance to exorcise road demons
Oct. 11 vs. Rice: A pivotal home matchup against a conference rival
Oct. 18 at North Texas: Another road challenge against a regionally familiar foe
Oct. 30 vs. Tulane: Thursday night home showdown against a perennial AAC contender
Nov. 6 at South Florida: Late-season road trip that could have significant conference implications
Nov. 15 at Charlotte: The final away game that will test UTSA’s road improvement
Nov. 22 vs. East Carolina: Late-season home contest with potential playoff implications
Nov. 28 vs. Army: Black Friday battle against the triple-option requires disciplined defense

How UTSA performs in its five conference road games will likely determine whether it plays for an AAC championship in December.

A split of those road contests and continued home dominance would put them squarely in the title conversation.

Coach Traylor’s Recruiting Strategy Shows His Understanding of Modern College Football

The coaching staff has embraced a multi-channel approach to roster construction that reflects college football’s new reality.

29 new players added through three distinct pipelines:
- 13 high school prospects for long-term program building
- 5 junior college transfers for immediate impact with development upside
- 11 portal additions providing experienced reinforcements at positions of need
Skipping the traditional spring game in favor of extended strength and conditioning work
Strategic focus on defensive reinforcements to address the unit’s massive turnover
Balanced approach between immediate fixes and sustained program growth

This diversified recruitment strategy demonstrates why Traylor has established himself as one of the conference’s premier program builders.

His ability to adapt to the transfer portal era while maintaining high school recruiting relationships gives UTSA stability in an increasingly volatile college football landscape.

What Should Roadrunner Fans Reasonably Expect in 2025?

UTSA has the pieces to compete for an AAC championship if several key factors break their way.

The offense should rank among the conference’s most explosive units
Defensive performance will determine whether they’re playing for a championship or merely bowl eligibility
Improving on last year’s 1-6 road record is essential
7-8 regular-season wins represent a reasonable baseline expectation
Special teams’ stability following kicker Chase Allen’s transfer to Rice remains an underrated concern
Early-season defensive cohesion will be a critical indicator of the team’s ceiling

The contrast between offensive continuity and defensive reconstruction creates a fascinating tension defining the Roadrunners’ 2025 campaign.

With the right breaks, this could be the season UTSA finally breaks through for a conference championship and cements its status as one of the AAC’s flagship programs.

The Alamodome faithful have every reason to believe this team is on the cusp of something special.

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When No One Is Bigger Than The Program: The Tennessee QB Saga

Mark Haines on April 14, 2025

Tennessee QB Saga: College football witnessed one of the most dramatic quarterback exits in recent memory.

The Shocking Departure

Nobody saw it coming, but everyone should have.

In the era of NIL deals and transfer portal drama, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel stood at a podium Saturday afternoon, addressing the elephant not in the room: Star quarterback Nico Iamaleava had practically vanished from the program.

“Man, listen, it’s the state of college football,” Heupel told reporters with the resolute calmness of someone who’d seen this movie before. “At the end of the day, no one is ever bigger than the program. That includes me, too.”

What followed was the unraveling of a relationship that had been built on promise, potential, and apparently, a price tag that suddenly changed:

Iamaleava was in contract negotiations for a new NIL deal on Thursday
The redshirt sophomore no-showed practice Friday morning
He didn’t communicate with Tennessee coaches throughout Friday
By Saturday morning, Heupel and the Vols were “moving on”

The modern college athlete isn’t just playing for passion—they’re negotiating their value in real-time.

Players now understand their market worth and aren’t afraid to leverage it.

When negotiations break down, the consequences aren’t just financial—they’re program-altering.

The Rising Star Who Fell to Earth

Just months ago, Nico Iamaleava represented Tennessee football’s brightest future.

The five-star prospect arrived in Knoxville with expectations as towering as his 6’6″ frame. Ranked as the No. 1 overall prospect in the On3 ratings, Iamaleava wasn’t just another talented quarterback—he was the cornerstone of Tennessee’s championship ambitions.

His freshman season showed flashes of brilliance:

2,616 passing yards in 13 games
19 touchdowns against only 5 interceptions
A career-high 314 yards in the season-opener
63.8% completion percentage

What makes this departure so stunning isn’t just the talent walking out the door—it’s the suddenness with which it happened.

The New Reality of College Sports

Contract negotiations have replaced scholarship offers as the primary currency of college athletics.

This shift has transformed how programs and players interact, creating a professional dynamic within an ostensibly amateur framework. When Iamaleava reportedly entered negotiations for a new NIL deal, he wasn’t being greedy—he was participating in the new normal.

But there are unwritten rules even in this wild west environment:

Show up to practice while negotiations continue
Communicate with coaches when issues arise
Remember the team still comes first
Understand that leverage works both ways

The failure to honor these principles led to what insiders describe as Heupel’s decision to move forward without his star quarterback.

What Happens Next?

Tennessee football now stands at a crossroads with two young quarterbacks holding the program’s immediate future.

Jake Merklinger, a redshirt freshman, and George MacIntyre, a true freshman, suddenly find themselves thrust into a spotlight neither expected this early. Both were four-star prospects with promising futures, but neither has taken a meaningful snap in college football.

“We got two guys in that room, excited to go watch them go play,” Heupel said, masking whatever disappointment or frustration might lie beneath his coach-speak exterior. “They’ve had a really good spring, grown throughout it.”

The coming days will reveal more about this dramatic separation:

Iamaleava plans to enter the transfer portal when it opens Wednesday
Reports suggest he wasn’t the only player considering financial ultimatums
Tennessee must now rebuild around inexperienced signal-callers
The college football world watches to see which program will offer Iamaleava his price

One sentence captures it all: When Josh Heupel said no one is bigger than the program, he wasn’t just making a statement—he was setting a precedent for college football’s new reality.

A to Z Sports breaks down the family and school dynamics that led to this. LINK

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Tulsa Golden Hurricane 2025 Season Preview: A New Era Under Tre Lamb

Mark Haines on April 10, 2025

The Tulsa Golden Hurricane is about to rise from the ashes of a disastrous 2024 campaign.

After limping to a 3-9 record (1-7 in AAC play) and fielding one of the worst defensive units in college football last season, Tulsa decided to dismiss Kevin Wilson after just two seasons at the helm. In his place steps Tre Lamb, a 35-year-old coaching wunderkind with a proven track record of program transformation and a reputation for quick turnarounds.

The question on everyone’s mind: Can Lamb resurrect a program that ranked 131st out of 133 FBS teams in total defense last year?

The Pain Points That Derailed 2024

Defensive collapse doesn’t begin to describe what happened to Tulsa football last season.

The Golden Hurricane surrendered a staggering 496.8 yards per game, with their pass defense leaking 316.0 yards per contest through the air. These weren’t just bad numbers—they represented a complete defensive meltdown that undermined any chance of competitive play in the American Athletic Conference.

The 2024 season featured three exhilarating wins:

A 62-28 demolition of Northwestern State in the season opener
A heart-stopping 23-20 overtime victory against Louisiana Tech
A thrilling 46-45 Homecoming triumph over UTSA that gave fans momentary hope

But these bright spots were overwhelmed by crushing defeats that exposed Tulsa’s vulnerability:

A 45-10 dismantling by Oklahoma State that wasn’t even as close as the score suggests
A 49-7 annihilation by Army that highlighted fundamental defensive deficiencies
A season-ending 63-16 embarrassment against Florida Atlantic sealed Wilson’s fate

Nothing less than a complete defensive rebuild will suffice for 2025.

Why Tre Lamb Might Be The Perfect Solution

Tre Lamb doesn’t just build football programs—he transforms them with shocking speed.

Born September 16, 1989, in Calhoun, Georgia, Lamb arrives in Tulsa with an impressive résumé that showcases his ability to engineer immediate turnarounds. His coaching journey reveals a consistent pattern:

At Tennessee Tech, as offensive coordinator, he helped elevate the team from consecutive two-win seasons to a respectable 6-6 record in 2019
During his Gardner-Webb tenure (2020-2023), he delivered back-to-back conference championships and the program’s first-ever FCS playoff victory.
Most recently at East Tennessee State, he flipped a 3-8 team into a 7-5 contender in just one season.

Athletic Director Justin Moore couldn’t hide his enthusiasm when announcing Lamb’s hiring, stating, “He is young, energetic, and a proven winner. We feel he is exactly who we need to lead our program and restore a tradition of winning for Tulsa in this new era of college football.”

Though his 27-25 overall record (1-2 in NCAA Division I playoffs) comes primarily at the FCS level, Lamb’s consistent ability to revitalize struggling programs makes him an intriguing bet for a Tulsa program desperate for new energy.

His arrival represents more than just a coaching change—it signals the dawn of a new era.

The Coaching Brain Trust Built For Rapid Change

Lamb isn’t tackling this rebuilding project alone.

The new head coach has assembled a staff combining youthful energy with tactical expertise, each member carefully selected to address Tulsa’s most glaring weaknesses:

Brad Robbins (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach) brings innovative offensive concepts
Ty Darlington (Co-Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends Coach) adds schematic flexibility
Josh Reardon (Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Coach) faces the monumental task of rebuilding Tulsa’s porous defense
Mike Gray (Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach) provides additional defensive expertise
Kam Martin (Associate Head Coach/Running Backs Coach) rounds out the leadership team

This staff faces the complex challenge of implementing new systems while maximizing the talents of returning players and newcomers.

Their success will ultimately determine whether Lamb’s first season becomes the foundation for a program renaissance or just another false start.

Roster Reconstruction: The Talent Influx

No turnaround happens without an influx of new talent.

Tulsa’s 2025 roster reconstruction follows a dual approach, balancing high school recruiting with strategic transfer portal additions to address immediate needs and build for the future.

The Golden Hurricane secured 14 high school signees, with several standouts poised to make an impact:

Javion Antai (OL, 6’4″, 285 lbs) brings local talent and tremendous size from Jenks High School, OK
Hudson Ball (DE, 6’2″, 240 lbs) arrives from Shiloh Christian High School, AR, targeting Tulsa’s desperate need for defensive playmakers
Banks Bowen (QB, 6’3″, 208 lbs) represents the future under center, coming from Lawrence High School, KS

Even more promising are the immediate-impact transfers joining the program:

Micah Tease (WR) brings SEC-level athleticism from Texas A&M
Sevion Morrison (RB) provides Big 12 experience after his stint at Kansas
Byron Turner Jr. (DE) arrives from Florida State as a potential defensive game-changer

Integrating these new pieces—particularly the transfer portal additions on defense—will be crucial to any year-one improvement under Lamb’s leadership.

Their development represents the first test of the new coaching staff’s player development abilities.

Cleaning Up The NIL Mess

Behind the scenes, Tulsa must address the NIL controversy that plagued the program throughout 2024.

Multiple players, including quarterback Cooper Legas and linebacker Myles Jackson, publicly alleged that former coach Kevin Wilson made verbal promises regarding NIL compensation that were never fulfilled. Wilson denied these claims, creating a cloud of distrust that potentially affected team morale and performance.

To prevent similar issues moving forward, Tulsa has established more robust NIL frameworks:

Partnerships with platforms like INFLCR and Opendorse to facilitate legitimate sponsorship connections
Creation of the Golden Hurricane Exchange to connect student-athletes with potential sponsors
Establishment of Hurricane Impact, an independent nonprofit collective, to solicit and distribute NIL funds

How Lamb and the administration navigate this evolving landscape will significantly impact their ability to attract and retain top talent.

In today’s college football ecosystem, effective NIL management isn’t optional—it’s essential for program stability and competitive recruiting.

The 2025 Schedule: A Balanced Opportunity

Tulsa’s 12-game slate offers a strategic mix of challenges and opportunities.

For the first time since 2004, all six home games at H.A. Chapman Stadium are scheduled for Saturday kickoffs, creating consistency for fans and players alike. These key matchups will likely shape the season’s trajectory:

August 30: Season opener vs. Abilene Christian (home)
September 6: Early road test at New Mexico State
November 15: Historic first-ever meeting with Oregon State (home)

This balanced schedule provides Lamb’s program with winnable non-conference games to build momentum while offering measurement opportunities against higher-caliber opposition.

How the Golden Hurricane performs in these contests will offer the first objective evidence of whether Lamb’s rebuilding project is ahead of schedule, on track, or facing unexpected hurdles.

Five Keys To Unlocking 2025 Success

Tulsa’s path from 3-9 doormat to competitive program requires five improvements.

Defensive Resurrection Nothing matters more than fixing a defense that ranked near the bottom nationally in nearly every statistical category. Coordinators Reardon and Gray must implement schemes that maximize available talent while masking inevitable deficiencies during this rebuilding phase.
Transfer Integration The transfer portal additions must acclimate quickly and perform above their previous levels, particularly on defense, where immediate impact is required to remain competitive.
Offensive Identity Establishment Developing a clear, consistent offensive approach that plays to the roster’s strengths is essential in a conference known for offensive firepower. Tulsa cannot afford offensive inconsistency with its defensive limitations.
Cultural Transformation Lamb must change the program’s culture and expectations, leveraging his track record of rapid turnarounds to instill belief in players accustomed to defeat.
NIL Infrastructure Development Creating transparent, effective NIL processes will help attract and retain talent while avoiding the controversies that plagued the previous regime.

Success in 2025 doesn’t necessarily mean a championship season but establishing these foundational elements for sustainable program growth.

The metrics for year one success should be measured in competitiveness rather than wins and losses.

Realistic Expectations For Hurricane Fans

Patience might be the most important virtue for Tulsa supporters in 2025.

While Lamb’s history of rapid turnarounds provides cause for optimism, Golden Hurricane fans should maintain measured expectations. The defensive holes are too numerous, and the cultural changes too fundamental, to expect an overnight transformation from 3-9 to conference contention.

Consider these benchmarks for a successful 2025 campaign:

Achieving bowl eligibility (6-6) would represent significant progress
Defensive improvement from 131st nationally to top-100 would signal real growth
Competitive play in AAC contests, even in defeat, would demonstrate culture change
Player development is visible through individual statistical improvement
Recruiting momentum building toward the 2026 class

Establishing a foundation of competitive play and demonstrating clear progress throughout the season will be more important than the win total.

Every rebuilding project requires realistic timeline expectations—even for a coach with Lamb’s track record of quick fixes.

The New Hurricane Warning

A storm is brewing in Tulsa that might blow away years of mediocrity.

In Tre Lamb, the Golden Hurricane has secured a young, energetic coach with a demonstrated knack for program building and a history of exceeding expectations. With a strategic influx of talent through both high school recruitment and the transfer portal, coupled with a manageable schedule featuring six home games, the pieces are in place for Tulsa to begin its climb back toward relevance.

While 2025 represents just the first step in a longer journey, it offers something that the program has been missing for years: legitimate hope.

The Tre Lamb era begins now, and with it comes the potential for a Golden Hurricane resurgence that transforms a team from punching bag to puncher.

Football in Tulsa might just be fun again.