College football's obsession with young coaches may be causing it to overlook some of the sport's best minds

As college football enters a new era of hiring coaches, there may be a tendency to overlook some of the sport's finest minds due to an unwavering focus on young coaches. This issue was highlighted when Willie Fritz, a 66-year-old coach who led Houston to a Sun Belt title, made a comment about his coaching career being a "business trip."

While Fritz's comment might raise eyebrows, it is worth considering whether the industry's obsession with youth is causing programs to miss out on exceptional coaches who may be at the peak of their abilities.

One shining example of an older coach excelling is Curt Cignetti, who transformed a struggling Indiana program into a national title contender. Fritz has also had a similar impact in rescuing Tulane and leading them to a successful postseason run. Both Cignetti and Fritz are eligible for Medicare, suggesting they are not planning to retire anytime soon.

While it is true that hiring young coaches comes with the expectation of longevity, it is worth examining whether this preference might be limiting the industry's ability to attract top-tier talent. Power conference athletic directors have expressed concerns about the perception of hiring a 65-year-old coach, but perhaps it is time to reconsider the conventional wisdom. Older coaches, such as Nick Saban and Bill Belichick, have proven that age does not necessarily limit a coach's effectiveness.

As the coaching carousel begins to turn once again, programs like Florida State, which will be hiring a new coach soon, may consider looking beyond the typical young, energetic candidates. The investment in experienced and proven coaches, like Fritz and Cignetti, could prove to be a wise move in an industry grappling with the complexities of NIL, transfer portals, and the need for competent leadership at the highest levels of college football.