Every December, the college football world turns into controlled chaos. Rumors fly, coaches jump from one program to another, surprise hires appear out of nowhere, and fanbases refresh social media like it’s an Olympic sport.
Whether it’s a rising coordinator landing a big job, a high-profile coach holding a press conference to deny rumors, or a veteran coach deciding to stay put, the coaching carousel always spins with drama.
Beneath the headlines, though, the decisions these coaches face – stay, leave, rebuild, start fresh, take a risk, or double down where they are – look surprisingly similar to many of the financial choices people make in real life.
- Do I change jobs for higher pay?
- Do I take on more risk in my investment portfolio?
- Do I move, start a business, or stay where things feel stable?
Here are five financial planning lessons hidden inside college football’s annual coaching carousel.
1. Bigger Isn’t Always Better: Focus on Long-Term Fit
Every year, a handful of coaches leave stable programs for what appears to be a “bigger” job: higher salaries, larger facilities, more notable brands.
However, those jobs also often come with:
- Higher expectations
- Shorter leashes
- Less patience
- Intense pressure
In personal finance, the same temptation shows up as:
- Chasing the “hot” investment of the moment
- Taking a job based on salary alone
- Buying the biggest house the bank will approve
Financial Lesson:
Remember to think about fit and long-term value, not just the flashy appeal. A financial move isn’t “good” just because it’s big. Evaluate whether the option truly supports your long-term goals, aligns with your risk tolerance, and fits your lifestyle, not just whether it looks impressive on paper.
2. Change Comes With Hidden Costs
When a coach switches programs, they’re not just signing a new contract. They’re also often:
- Uprooting their family
- Rebuilding a staff
- Adapting to new recruiting pipelines
- Navigating different university politics
Likewise, big financial changes such as changing jobs, reallocating portfolios, or starting a business can incur hidden costs, including taxes, fees, liquidity constraints, and increased stress.
Financial Lesson:
Don’t just look at the potential upside. Ask yourself: “What am I giving up by making this move?” and “What additional risks or costs come with this decision?”
A well-thought-out change may be exactly what you need in some seasons of life. In others, the hidden costs can outweigh the potential benefits. Taking the time to understand both sides can help you make more informed decisions.
3. Stability Can Be a Strength
Some coaches choose to stay where they are, even when a “bigger” opportunity is available. They may value:
- Proven relationships
- Predictable expectations
- Cultural alignment
- Continuity
In investing and financial planning, the same principles often apply. Sticking with a disciplined, well-designed plan can be more effective than constantly bouncing from strategy to strategy in search of something better.
Financial Lesson:
Consistency compounds.
Developing strong habits, such as consistently contributing to retirement accounts, staying invested through market ups and downs, and rebalancing periodically instead of reacting emotionally, can often do more for long-term wealth than chasing any “next big thing.”
Stability doesn’t have to be boring. In many cases, a steady, disciplined approach can be one of the most powerful advantages in your financial life.
4. Success Requires Depth, Not Just One Star Player
The best programs don’t rely on a single star player or one brilliant coordinator. They build deep rosters, strong coaching staff, reliable systems, and backup plans for injuries and surprises.
Your financial life generally benefits from the same kind of depth. One good investment or one strong income source is helpful, but relying on a single “star” can increase your vulnerability. Your financial plan tends to be much stronger when you have multiple layers of protection and growth, including:
- Emergency funds
- Diversified investments
- Appropriate insurance coverage
- Thoughtful tax planning
- Multiple income streams
Financial Lesson:
Depth can significantly support resilience.
A single point of failure, either in football or finances, creates unnecessary risk. A well-rounded financial plan is designed to help you withstand surprises, much like a deep roster is built to weather injuries and unexpected changes.
5. Adapt When Needed and Avoid Panic
Some coaching moves are strategic: a coach leaves at the right moment, a program pivots, or an athletic director reshapes their vision.
Other moves are panicked reactions to short-term frustration or outside pressure.
Successful coaches, and successful investors, learn to tell the difference.
Financial Lesson:
It can be helpful to update your financial plan as markets, laws, and life circumstances change, but don’t abandon your fundamentals in the face of short-term noise.
Final Thought: The Carousel Spins Fast, Your Plan Doesn’t Have To
The college football coaching carousel is chaotic, reactionary, emotional, and driven by headlines. Jobs change quickly, rumors spread fast, and decisions are often made under pressure.
Great financial planning should feel very different. Instead of reacting to every new piece of information or acting suddenly, a strong plan is often structured, disciplined, intentional, and focused on long-term results.
The carousel reminds us of one simple truth:
You can’t control the noise.
You can control the framework you use to make decisions.
When your financial life is anchored by clear goals, realistic expectations, and a thoughtful strategy, you’re often better equipped to tune out the chaos and stay focused on what matters over time.
If you’re unsure whether a decision is a smart long-term move or more of a “coaching carousel reaction,” it may be helpful to talk with a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. Our team is available to help you evaluate your options in the context of your overall plan and think through your next steps. Contact us today to learn more.
For more helpful content delivered directly to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of the page.
Cory Reamer,
is an Advisor at The Welch Group, LLC, specializing in providing Fee-Only investment management and financial advice to families throughout the United States. Cory graduated as a student-athlete with a degree in Finance from The University of Alabama and is passionate about helping others on their financial journey. For more information, visit The Welch Group. Consult your financial advisor before acting on comments in this article.
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE INFORMATION
Please remember that past performance is no guarantee of future results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment, investment strategy, or product (including the investments and/or investment strategies recommended or undertaken by The Welch Group [“Welch”]), or any non-investment related content, made reference to directly or indirectly in this blog will be profitable, equal any corresponding indicated historical performance level(s), be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. Due to various factors, including changing market conditions and/or applicable laws, the content may no longer be reflective of current opinions or positions. Moreover, no portion of this discussion or information serves as the receipt of, or a substitute for, personalized investment advice from Welch contained in this blog serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from Welch To the extent that a reader has any questions regarding the applicability of any specific issue discussed above to his/her individual situation, he/she is encouraged to consult with the professional advisor of his/her choosing. Neither Welch’s investment adviser registration status, nor any amount of prior experience or success, should be construed that a certain level of results or satisfaction will be achieved if Welch is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. Welch is neither a law firm nor a certified public accounting firm and no portion of the blog content should be construed as legal or accounting advice. A copy of the Welch’s current written disclosure Brochure and Form CRS discussing our advisory services and fees is available for review upon request or at www.welchgroup.com. Please Note: Welch does not make any representations or warranties as to the accuracy, timeliness, suitability, completeness, or relevance of any information prepared by any unaffiliated third party, whether linked to Welch’s web site or blog or incorporated herein, and takes no responsibility for any such content. All such information is provided solely for convenience purposes only and all users thereof should be guided accordingly. Please Remember: If you are a Welch client, please contact Welch, in writing, if there are any changes in your personal/financial situation or investment objectives for the purpose of reviewing/evaluating/revising our previous recommendations and/or services, or if you would like to impose, add, or to modify any reasonable restrictions to our investment advisory services. Unless, and until, you notify us, in writing, to the contrary, we shall continue to provide services as we do currently. Please Also Remember to advise us if you have not been receiving account statements (at least quarterly) from the account custodian.
IMPORTANT VIDEO DISCLOSURE INFORMATION
The video segment by The Welch Group, LLC (“Welch) was intended for general information purposes only. No portion of the video serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from Welch or any other investment professional of your choosing. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and it should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy, or any non-investment related or planning services, discussion or content, will be profitable, be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. Neither Welch’s investment adviser registration status, nor any amount of prior experience or success, should be construed that a certain level of results or satisfaction will be achieved if Welch is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. Welch is neither a law firm nor accounting firm, and no portion of its services should be construed as legal or accounting advice. No portion of the video content should be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results if Welch is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. Copies of Welch’s current written disclosure Brochure and Form CRS discussing our advisory services and fees are available upon request or at www.welchgroup.com.