College football coaching carousel tracker: Who’s fired, who’s hired for 2023? [UPDATED]

Purdue Boilermakers: Jeff Brohm -> Ryan Walters

After winning the Big Ten West and holding their own vs. Michigan in Indianapolis, the Purdue Boilermakers will need to hire a new head coach. Jeff Brohm is taking over the helm of his alma mater at Louisville. Brohm went 17-9 in the last two years at Purdue. Over the last nine seasons split between Purdue and Western Kentucky, Brohm amassed a solid, combined record of 66-44.

Purdue made a fantastic hire by prying away Illinois Fighting Illini defensive coordinator Ryan Walters in-division. Walters’ defense was a huge reason why Bret Bielema’s team was in the mix all season long to win the Big Ten West. Because of the work Brohm did in West Lafayette for the better part of a decade, Purdue was able to land one of the best coordinator candidates out there.

Navy Midshipmen: Ken Niumatalolo -> Brian Newberry

It actually happened. Navy has decided to move on from its longtime head coach Ken Niumatalolo. The Midshipmen lost to Army in overtime, sinking to a dismal 4-8 record on the season. Despite being the winningest coach in program history, Navy will be hiring its first head coach in 16 years. Niumatalolo went 109-83 in 15 seasons in Annapolis, but he had four losing years in the last five.

Navy has decided to promote defensive coordinator Brian Newberry from within to be Niumatalolo’s successor in Annapolis. Finding the right head coach to take over at a service academy is never easy, but at least Navy knows what it has in Newberry. He had been the Midshipmen’s defensive coordinator since 2019, best known for being able to stop the run.

Mississippi State Bulldogs: Mike Leach (RIP) -> Zach Arnett

This is beyond soul-crushing that we lost The Pirate Mike Leach at only 61 years old. I cannot fathom what the Mississippi State Bulldogs community is going through right now. Defensive coordinator Zach Arnett will serve in their bowl game, should they even play. This is a big-time job in the SEC, but some things are bigger and more important than college football. RIP Mike Leach.

In a time of overwhelming grief, immense heartache and devastating pain, this was the only move that made sense. Arnett was probably ready to be a FBS head coach anyway. By promoting him from within, Arnett will have the unquestioned support from Mississippi State University, as the Bulldogs try to navigate one of the most tragic losses the college football world has ever seen.

FanSided will keep you posted on all that happens on the coaching carousel … until we are done!

For more College Football news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage by FanSided, including Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff rankings, be sure to bookmark these pages.