is played these days. @hokieninsurance did a post on the subscriber's board a few weeks ago and a similar one earlier today. In that post, there is data that shows if a P5 school is going to fire its HC, then December 1st is the last day the AD pulls the trigger. Likewise, the AD will hire the new HC by December 7th or 8th. Basically a P5 program can't wait until the second week of December without jeopardizing the current recruiting class.

Here are some examples of DI-FBS HCs hired after December 15 and their record at the school. Now some of these HCs are not P5, but a case could be made that even the G5s are starting to buy into this philosophy too.

Matt Viator
hired by UL-Monroe on 12/23/26
overall record = 19-39
fired on 12/07/20
UL-Monroe hired Terry Bowden on 12/23/20 and Terry's record is 4-4

Kevin Sumlin
hired by Arizona on 12/23/20
overall record = 9-20
fired on 12/12/20
Arizona hired Jedd Fisch on 12/23/20 and Jedd's record is 0-8

Lovie Smith
hired by Illinois on March 7, 2016
overall record = 17-39
fired on 12/13/20
Illinois hired Bret Bielema on 12/19/20 and Bret's record is 3-6

Bryan Harsin
hired by Auburn on 12/22/20 after Auburn fired Gus Malzahn on 12/13/20
overall record = 6-2

Gus Malzahn
hired by UCF on 12/15/21
overall record = 5-3

Steve Sarkisian
hired by Texas on 01/02/21 after firing Tom Herman on the same day
overall record = 4-4

Doc Holliday
hired by Marshall on 12/17/09
overall record = 85-54
Marshall announced on 01/04/21 that Holliday's contract had not be renewed
Marshall hired Charlie Huff on 01/17/21
Huff's overall record = 5-3
[Post edited by VTHokie2000 at 11/06/2021 3:13PM]