This time last year, everything was seemingly fine within the Washington Commanders. They were gearing up for their playoff return after a phenomenal first campaign under the new regime that would eventually lead to an NFC Championship game. Everything was looking up. Fans were dreaming of Super Bowl contention after years of languishing among the bottom feeders. The correct structure was in place, and the ambitous plans behind the scenes were finally being cemented to wake up this sleeping giant once and for all.
The 2025-26 coaching cycle wasn't expected to be calm, like its predecessor. But few forecasted such a robust line of storms rolling through the sport in the first half of the season. All four power conferences have had a firing. Penn State's ouster of James Franklin, midway through his 12th season and barely 10 months removed from the team playing for a spot in the national title game, sent a message around the sport: Almost no coach is safe.