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The 2024 college football coaching carousel has officially begun with East Carolina's recent decision to part ways with head coach Mike Houston. This move followed a disappointing 45-28 loss to the Army Black Knights, dropping the Pirates to a 3-4 record for the season and a 27-38 record under Houston's leadership. The timing of this firing, one of the latest in recent memory, hints at an unpredictable market for FBS head coaches this season.

This slower start to midseason firings suggests that athletic directors are weighing new factors like the transfer portal, NIL, the 12-team College Football Playoff, and revenue-sharing. They must also rally funds from boosters to cover hefty buyouts and maintain competitive rosters.

Several coaches across various conferences are feeling the heat. In the ACC, Mack Brown's North Carolina team is mired in a four-game losing streak, raising questions about the future. Baylor's Dave Aranda remains under pressure, even after a surprising 59-35 win over Texas Tech. With the Bears’ current 3-4 record, Aranda's position is precarious, and getting to a bowl game might not be sufficient to save his job.

Elsewhere, Utah's Kyle Whittingham has an heir apparent in defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley, leaving open the question of when Whittingham will step down. Similarly, Ryan Walters of Purdue faces steep challenges, with potential for a winless Big Ten season and a struggling team exacerbated by offensive coordinator Graham Harrell's exit.

Ohio State's Ryan Day finds himself in a complex situation. Despite a stellar 61-9 record over six seasons, expectations remain sky-high. Failure to triumph over rivals like Michigan or to secure a national title could make his tenure at OSU increasingly tenuous.

In the SEC, both Billy Napier of Florida and Sam Pittman of Arkansas are under scrutiny. Napier's Gators, currently 4-3, face a grueling schedule with top-ranked opponents ahead. Arkansas' Pittman, holding a 27-28 record, needs a strong finish to stay afloat. Hugh Freeze's difficulties at Auburn add to the intrigue, especially given his underwhelming performance compared to his predecessor.

The Group of 6 conferences are also seeing their share of turbulence with open positions at Fresno State, Utah State, East Carolina, and Southern Miss. The candidate pool for head coaches is shrinking, with many qualified coordinators becoming increasingly selective about their next moves.

As the 2024 season continues, watch for more developments in the coaching landscape as universities navigate the balance of performance, funding, and future prospects.