FBS Assistants Leaving for NFL Coaching Jobs

Coaching carousel continues as college coaches seek opportunities in the pros

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Over the last month, at least 17 FBS assistant coaches have left their college jobs to take roles in the NFL. Industry sources say college assistants are willing to take pay cuts to work in the pro ranks, with the only factor slowing the rate of departures being buyouts in their contracts. As the coaching carousel continues, multiple FBS programs are conducting searches to fill holes on their staffs due to these NFL departures.

Why it matters

The trend of FBS assistant coaches leaving for the NFL highlights the ongoing challenges college programs face in retaining top talent, especially as issues like NIL deals and the transfer portal continue to reshape the college football landscape. This carousel of coaching changes can disrupt team continuity and make it harder for programs to maintain consistency.

The details

Recent examples include Jeff Hafley leaving Boston College for the Miami Dolphins, Navy defensive coordinator P.J. Volker accepting a job with the Ravens, and Michigan losing defensive line coach Lou Esposito to the Ravens. Industry sources say college assistants are willing to take pay cuts to work in the NFL, with buyouts being the main factor slowing the rate of departures.

  • In January 2024, Jeff Hafley left the Boston College head coaching job for a defensive coordinator role with the Green Bay Packers in the NFL.
  • Last month, Jeff Hafley was named the Miami Dolphins head coach, less than two years after leaving Boston College.
  • Over the last month, at least 17 FBS assistant coaches have left for NFL roles.

The players

Jeff Hafley

Former Boston College head coach who left for a defensive coordinator role with the Green Bay Packers in the NFL in 2024, and was later named the Miami Dolphins head coach in 2026.

P.J. Volker

Navy defensive coordinator who recently accepted a job on the Ravens staff.

Lou Esposito

Michigan defensive line coach who left for the same role on the Ravens staff.

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What they’re saying

“How do you define tampering, right? Agents calling kids and telling kids that they can get them at this school for this amount of money and this school is interested. What's true and what's not true? I've had an example of hearsay. This school will take me out of the portal right now and give me this amount of money. And then I pick up the phone and call that buddy of mine, and it's, 'No, we don't even know who that kid is.'”

— Jeff Hafley, Former Boston College Head Coach (on3.com)

“Most college coaches are willing to take a pay cut if that means working in the NFL.”

— Industry Source (on3.com)

What’s next

As Super Bowl Sunday arrives, multiple FBS programs are conducting coaching searches to fill holes on their staff due to NFL departures. And sources across the industry tell On3 that this carousel could continue until mid-February, at least.

The takeaway

The trend of FBS assistant coaches leaving for the NFL highlights the ongoing challenges college programs face in retaining top talent, especially as issues like NIL deals and the transfer portal continue to reshape the college football landscape. This carousel of coaching changes can disrupt team continuity and make it harder for programs to maintain consistency.