MILWAUKEE — The Los Angeles Dodgers survived the Milwaukee Brewers’ magic act, shrugged off their bad luck, and by the end of Monday night, just won a postseason game the old-fashioned way.

The Dodgers, riding the golden arm of Blake Snell, and the powerful bat of Freddie Freeman, outlasted the Brewers for a 2-1 victory in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series at American Family Field.

While the Brewers turned perhaps the wildest double play in postseason history, and emptied their bullpen trying to suffocate the Dodgers’ offense, the Dodgers resorted to the traditional way to win games.

Snell, the two-time Cy Young winner, put on one of the greatest postseason pitching performances in history. He never gave the Brewers a chance, facing the minimum batters through eight innings, striking out 10, and giving up just one hit – a third-inning single up the middle by Caleb Durbin. He was so dominant that he gave up just one fair fly ball to the outfield the entire game, inducing 11 ground balls.

Snell became the first pitcher in postseason history to strike out at least 10 batters and give up one hit without a walk in eight innings.

“He’s a bona fide ace,’ Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Having him take the ball, feeling that he’s always essentially going to be the best option on the mound.’

Certainly, there has not been a hotter pitcher on the planet. Snell is yielding a 0.68 ERA in his last six starts, pitching 40 innings, yielding 15 hits, and striking out 56 batters.

In Snell’s three postseason starts, he’s 3-0 with a 0.86 ERA, giving up just seven hits in 21 innings, striking out 28 batters.

Despite injuries limiting him to 11 starts in the regular season, Snell has been worth every penny of that five-year, $182 million contract in the first year of his free-agent deal.

“I’ve known Blake a long time,’ said Andrew Friedman, Dodgers president of baseball operations, who drafted and signed Snell with the Tampa Bay Rays. “Just getting a chance to watch that maturation over a 12-year period and seeing that growth, we felt really strongly that not only could he help us in the regular season in accomplishing that first goal, but what he would bring to our staff in October. I think for some it is literally a part of their identity and what they yearn for more than anything.’

It turned out that the Dodgers needed every one of those outs Snell provided. The Dodgers turned to closer Roki Sasaki in the ninth, but he ran into trouble, gave up a run, and departed with two outs and runners on the corners. Roberts pulled Sasaki and went to veteran Blake Treinen.

Treinen, after walking William Contreras to load the bases, struck out Brice Turang to end the game, and overcome the play in the fourth inning that nearly stole the show.

The Dodgers were in the process of breaking the game open in the fourth inning, loading the bases, when Max Muncy sent Quinn Priester’s cutter 404 feet towards the center-field wall for a potential grand slam.

Brewers center fielder Sal Frelick leaped, brought the ball back, but it bounced off the yellow stripe back into his glove.

The Dodgers, who initially thought the ball was going over the fence, froze. Then, they thought Frelick caught the ball, even though left-field umpire Chad Fairchild ruled the ball was in play.

Teoscar Hernandez, who had gone back to tag up at third base, raced home. Frelick threw a strike to cutoff man Joey Ortiz, who fired home, just ahead of Hernandez, who didn’t know it was a force play.

Meanwhile, Brewers catcher William Contreras, realizing that Will Smith, who was heading back to second base believing the ball was caught, sprinted to third base. Smith hurried ot third. Too late.

Out at home. Out at third. Double play.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts asked for a replay review, which confirmed that Hernandez was out at home.

And after the umpires huddled, they confirmed that Fairchild called the ball correctly that the ball indeed bounced off the fence, and there was no catch.

The Brewers ran off the field leaving the Dodgers dazed, and the sellout crowd going bonkers not believing what they just witnessed.

It technically went down as your routine 8-6-2, 404-foot GIDP.

It was the first 8-6-2 double play in postseason history, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

“The Brewers are a really good team,’’ said Friedman, Dodgers president of baseball operations. “Team speed, defense, they don’t chase, put the ball in play. They do a lot of things well. And I think the depth of their roster really helps them withstand 162 games and also puts them in position to be a really competitive team in October.’’

Friedman joked that the Dodgers were hoping to win just a game against the Brewers considered the Brewers went 6-0 against them during the regular season, but of course, those games weren’t played in October.

This is the Dodgers’ time of the year.

And, for another night, they proved it again.

— Bob Nightengale

Here’s how Game 1 unfolded:

Dodgers hang on in the ninth for 2-1 win

The Brewers pushed a run across and loaded the bases with two outs, putting the go-ahead run on second base. But Blake Treinen struck out Brice Turang to end the game.

Dodgers add insurance run in ninth

Abner Uribe loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the ninth and then walked Mookie Betts with a full count to drive in a run and extend the Dodgers’ lead to 2-0.

Blake Snell keeps it going into the ninth

The Dodgers left-hander sailed through the eighth inning and NLCS Game 1 is heading to the ninth with the Dodgers clinging to a 1-0 lead. Snell struck out 10 and gave up only one hit in eight innings, but will likely give way to Roki Sasaki for the ninth.

To the eighth: Dodgers 1, Brewers 0

Blake Snell got through his seventh scoreless inning, facing the minimum with nine strikeouts. He’s at 91 pitches and the Dodgers bullpen is quiet, meaning it’s likely the left-hander gets the ball for the eighth.

Blake Snell dominating through six

Blake Snell has the faced the minimum 18 hitters through six innings, racking up eight strikeouts with no walks on 77 pitches. The only hit he surrendered up came in the second inning, but SNell picking off Caleb Durbin after his single.

Freddie Freeman home run breaks the deadlock

Freddie Freeman hit a solo home run off Chad Patrick with one out in the top of the sixth, opening the scoring in Game 1 of this NLCS.

The World Series MVP last year, the homer was Freeman’s first of the 2025 poseason.

Brewers escape on absolutely insane play

With the bases loaded and one out, Max Muncy hit a drive to the center field wall that bounced off center fielder Sal Frelick’s glove, then the wall and was grabbed before hitting the ground – a live ball, not a catch for an out. The baserunners were confused and held up initially, with Teoscar Hernandez thrown out at home trying to score from third, a bizarre 8-6-2 forceout.

Still having no idea what happened, Will Smith, never advanced to third and he was then forced out to complete the double play.

Quinn Priester takes over for Brewers

Milwaukee right-hander Quinn Priester came on to replace opener Aaron Ashby to begin the second inning. He walked Max Muncy, but stranded the runner with a strikeout of Enrique Hernandez to end the second.

In the third, Priester set down Andy Pages, Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts in order to keep the game scoreless. The Dodgers are without a hit through three innings.

Priester was a revelation for the Brewers this year, going 13-3 with a 3.32 ERA in 157.1 innings.

Aaron Ashby puts up a zero in the first

Brewers opener Andy Ashby worked around a leadoff walk of Shohei Ohtani in a scoreless first, getting Mookie Betts and Teoscar Hernandez before striking out Freddie Freeman to strand Ohtani.

Ashby, the nephew of two-time All-Star Andy Ashby, made four appearances in the five-game NLDS against the Cubs.

When is Shohei Ohtani pitching? Dave Roberts won’t say

MILWAUKEE — With Blake Snell starting Game 1 for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Yoshinobu Yamamoto getting the nod for Game 2, that means Shohei Ohtani and Tyler Glasnow won’t take the mound until the series shifts to Los Angeles later this week. Asked if he’s already decided which games they’ll start, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said yes. 

Would he care to share that information?

‘No,’ Roberts said, smiling. 

Aaron Ashby starts Brewers’ pitching parade

MILWAUKEE — Brewers manager Pat Murphy is completely focused on Game 1 while already thinking ahead. 

Huh? 

With only two starters – 1 ½, really – the Brewers will be leaning heavily on their relievers to get them through the seven-game series that includes just two off days. Which means Murphy has to be smart in how he uses them. Let one go an extra inning, or two, in Games 1 or 2, and Milwaukee could pay for it down the road. 

‘It’s win tonight, but when you get to about Game 4, you better be careful of what you’ve done to your pitching staff. It might show up in Game 4, Game 5,’ Murphy said ahead of Game 1. 

‘Especially the third game, OK, we just had a day off. How much do you want to use here? What do you think about?’ Murphy continued. ‘That’s where you can get exposed because now your thinking is, `We’re not playing to win tonight,’ we’re playing, `Hey, we’ve got to pitch these guys because these (other) guys are gassed.’ We’ve got to try to keep ourselves from that situation.

‘Comes down to depth and quality of depth.’ 

That helps explain Murphy’s decision to add Tobias Myers to the roster for the NLCS and remove Nick Mears. Mears has been ‘unbelievable’ for Milwaukee, Murphy said. But he’s better in short spurts, and the Brewers will need someone who can go longer. — Nancy Armour

Dodgers lineup today

Shohei Ohtani (L) DH
Mookie Betts (R) SS
Teoscar Hernández (R) RF
Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
Will Smith (R) C
Tommy Edman (S) 2B
Max Muncy (L) 3B
Enrique Hernández (R) LF
Andy Pages (R) CF

Brewers lineup

Jackson Chourio (R) RF
Christian Yelich (L) DH
William Contreras (R) C
Brice Turang (L) 2B
Andrew Vaughn (R) 1B
Sal Frelick (L) CF
Caleb Durbin (R) 3B
Isaac Collins (S) LF
Joey Ortiz (R) SS

Dodgers NLCS roster

The Dodgers have added right-handed pitcher Ben Casparius to the mix in place of third catcher Dalton Rushing, apparently signaling Will Smith should be able to handle a greater share of the duties behind the plate in the NLCS. Smith was limited over much of September and early in the playoffs by a fracture in his right hand.

The Dodgers will also have veteran left-hander Clayton Kershaw on the roster, despite his rocky outing in Game 3 of the NLDS against the Phillies when he gave up five runs (four earned) in two innings of work.

The Seattle Mariners are going home with a commanding advantage in the American League Championship Series. 

The pitching-centric team is crushing the Toronto Blue Jays in all facets of the game, slugging three home runs in Game 2 to cruise to a 10-3 victory Oct. 13 at Rogers Centre. 

And now, history is overwhelmingly on their side. 

They will take a 2-0 lead home to T-Mobile Park, knowing that in LCS history, a team that won the first two games on the road has advanced 86.8% of the time. 

They can thank Jorge Polanco and a possibly peerless bullpen for the happy flight home to the Pacific Northwest. 

Polanco broke a 3-3 tie with a three-run home run off reliever Louis Varland in the top of the sixth inning. Polanco also provided the go-ahead and insurance RBIs in Seattle’s 3-1 victory in Game 1. 

‘It felt amazing,’ Polanco said in a postgame interview with Fox Sports, ‘to see that ball go over the wall.’

And for the second consecutive game, Blue Jays manager John Schneider’s mid-game maneuvers failed to pan out. 

One night after removing Kevin Gausman after just 76 pitches, only for a reliever to let in the go-ahead run, he was perhaps too hesitant to remove rookie Trey Yesavage, who allowed an infield single and then intentionally walked Cal Raleigh before Varland gave up the decisive blast to Polanco. 

Re-signed after the Mariners declined his option a year ago, Polanco is now 4-for-9 with five RBIs in this series, and has eight hits and 11 RBIs this postseason, six of the game-winning or go-ahead variety. 

Meanwhile, Seattle’s bullpen combined for six innings of scoreless, one-hit relief, giving them nine scoreless innings this series. Eduard Bazardo and Carlos Vargas were particularly solid, contributing two innings and giving up just a hit and a walk, respectively. 

All have combined to keep Blue Jays superstar Vladimir Guerrero hitless in seven at-bats this series. 

— Gabe Lacques

Here’s how ALCS Game 2 unfolded:

Canadian Josh Naylor’s home run extends Seattle lead

On Canadian Thanksgiving, an Ontario native might have put the Toronto Blue Jays to sleep in Game 2 of the ALCS. 

Josh Naylor, a Mississauga product, skied a two-run home run to right field in the top of the seventh inning, giving the Seattle Mariners a 9-3 lead and further quieting the masses at Rogers Centre. 

Naylor’s blast off Braydon Fisher was the Mariners’ third home run of the game, following three-run blasts in the first inning by Julio Rodriguez and the fifth inning by Jorge Polanco. 

Now, the stout Mariners bullpen needs just nine more outs with a six-run lead to go home with a massive 2-0 ALCS lead.

Mariners get insurance run in sixth inning

The Seattle Mariners added on, and are drifting even closer toward a commanding lead in the ALCS. 

Pinch hitter Mitch Garver, the balding, part-time 34-year-old DH, smacked a triple off the center field wall and J.P. Crawford drove home pinch runner Leo Rivas as Seattle extended its lead to 7-3 heading into the bottom of the sixth.

The Mariners bullpen has been up to the task, as Eduard Bazardo pitched two innings of one-hit relief after starter Logan Gilbert was removed after three innings. 

Jorge Polanco home run puts Mariners back in front

Jorge Polanco just might singlehandedly carry the Seattle Mariners’ offense to a 2-0 ALCS lead. 

Polanco broke open a tie game with the Mariners’ second three-run homer of the night as Seattle took a 6-3 lead at the halfway point of Game 2. 

Polanco drove in the go-ahead run and an insurance run in their 3-1 Game 1 victory. A night later, he came up with runners on first and second and one out against Blue Jays set-up ace Louis Varland. 

He drove the pitch just over the high wall in right field, turning a 3-3 tie into a 6-3 Blue Jays lead. 

Logan Gilbert done after three innings

If the Seattle Mariners are to snag the first two games of this ALCS at Toronto, they’re going to need their bullpen to be on point for six innings. 

Manager Dan Wilson pulled starter Logan Gilbert after three innings and 58 pitches, perhaps feeling confident after he got six innings from starter Bryce Miller the night before. 

Eduard Bazardo relieved Gilbert in the fourth and pitched a clean inning, extending to four the number of perfect frames by Seattle’s bullpen in this ALCS. 

The game remains tied, 3-3, in the top of the fifth. 

Toronto ties it up in the second

It took just two innings for the Toronto Blue Jays to erase Julio Rodriguez’s three-run homer. 

Ernie Clement led off the bottom of the second with a single and came around to score on Nathan Lukes’ RBI hit as ALCS Game 2 was tied, 3-3, heading to the third inning. 

While the score is tied, the starting pitchers are trending in different directions. Mariners starter Logan Gilbert is already up to 46 pitches and has allowed a half-dozen baserunners. Blue Jays starter Trey Yesavage also needed 46 pitches to work two innings, but needed just 13 to retire the side in the second. 

Blue Jays answer quickly with two in bottom of first

Much to the Seattle Mariners’ disgust, the Toronto Blue Jays’ lineup wasn’t going to stay down forever. After Julio Rodriguez’s first-inning, three-run homer, they answered back with two runs in the bottom of the inning. George Springer lashed a leadoff double, Nathan Lukes reached on an infield hit as Springer scored on an error and Alejandro Kirk knocked an RBI single to right, scoring Lukes. 

After one inning: Mariners 3, Blue Jays 2 as Trey Yesavage needed 33 pitches to finish the inning, and Logan Gilbert expended 19.

Julio Rodriguez home run gives Mariners 3-0 lead

Trey Yesavage is no longer spotless – and the Mariners are positioned to take a commanding lead in the ALCS

The Blue Jays rookie right-hander who was near perfect in his playoff debut against New York got knocked around immediately in Game 2 of the ALCS, hanging his notorious split-finger pitch to Julio Rodriguez, who crushed it for a three-run home run. 

Yesavage, 22, who’d made just three major league starts before his 11-strikeout, no-hit dominance in  5 1/3 innings against the Yankees, knew almost immediately this one would be different. The Mariners remained patient out of the gate, as Yesavage hit Randy Arozarena with a full-count pitch and then walked Cal Raleigh. 

Yesavage then jumped ahead 0-2 on Rodriguez, threw one splitter in the dirt and then made a fatal mistake, hanging it for Rodriguez to guide just fair down the left field line. 

Sure, there’s still 8 ½ innings to play but it’s not too early to think: Of the 38 teams that won the first two games of an LCS on the road, 33 (86.8%) have gone on to the World Series.

Mariners lineup today for ALCS Game 2

Randy Arozarena (R) LF
Cal Raleigh (S) C
Julio Rodríguez (R) CF
Jorge Polanco (S) 2B
Josh Naylor (L) 1B
Eugenio Suárez (R) 3B
Dominic Canzone (L) DH
Victor Robles (R) RF
J.P. Crawford (L) SS

Blue Jays lineup today

George Springer (R) DH
Nathan Lukes (L) RF
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (R) 1B
Addison Barger (L) 3B
Alejandro Kirk (R) C
Daulton Varsho (L) CF
Ernie Clement (R) 2B
Davis Schneider (R) LF
Andrés Giménez (L) SS

Trey Yesavage says people close to him ‘being attacked’

Trey Yesavage, who will start Game 2 of the ALCS against the Seattle Mariners, began his press conference in advance of that outing decrying the attacks and negativity on loved ones since no-hitting the New York Yankees for 5 ⅓ innings in just his fourth big league start.

‘Living in this world where there’s so many different opinions and feelings which results in a lot of hate, it’s sad to see that people close to me are being attacked for my performances on the field,’ Yesavage told reporters. ‘These people have done nothing to warrant negativity for my actions, whether that’s my parents, my brothers, my girlfriend, family. It’s just really sad.

‘I know I have the platform to address it, so I am. I hope that people can realize that those individuals have nothing to do with what happens on the field or whatnot.

Have the Mariners ever won a World Series?

Seattle is one of five teams that has never won a World Series title and is the only club in Major League Baseball that has never even reached the Fall Classic.

The Mariners came into existence in 1977 and didn’t make the playoffs for the first time until 1995. This year marks Seattle’s fourth appearance in the ALCS after losing in 1995 (Cleveland), 2000 (Yankees) and 2001 (Yankees).

When did the Blue Jays win the World Series?

The Toronto Blue Jays won back-to-back World Series championships in 1992 and 1993.

They defeated the Atlanta Braves in six games in 1992 for their first title and then beat the Philadelphia Phillies in six to repeat, clinching on Joe Carter’s walk-off home run.

Brian Branch’s decision to start a dust-up at the end of the Detroit Lions’ loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday will cost the safety, both in his bank account and on the field.

The NFL on Monday announced Branch will be suspended for one game without pay for unsportsmanlike conduct after he struck Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, igniting a postgame brawl.

“Your aggressive, non-football act was entirely unwarranted, posed a serious risk of injury, and clearly violated the standards of conduct and sportsmanship expected of NFL players,’ NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan wrote to Branch in a letter. ‘Your conduct reflected poorly on the NFL and has no place in our game.”

Branch is appealing his suspension, according to NFL Media. If his ban stands, he will miss the Lions’ ‘Monday Night Football’ matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The third-year veteran expressed his remorse for the incident after the game but said his frustration with Smith-Schuster had been bubbling throughout the contest.

“I did a little childish thing,” Branch told USA TODAY Sports’ Jarrett Bell after the Lions’ 30-17 loss. “But I’m tired of people doing stuff in between the plays and the ref don’t catch it, trying to bully me out there.’

As the final seconds ticked off with the result in hand, Branch ignored Patrick Mahomes extending his hand toward him. When Smith-Schuster confronted Branch, the Pro Bowl defensive back struck the receiver. Smith-Schuster then charged toward Branch, who was being held back by Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco, and a melee ensued.

Smith-Schuster didn’t accept Branch’s rationale, which included the allegation that he had been blocked in the back on a play that drew no flag.

“I made a good block,” Smith-Schuster told USA TODAY Sports. “He obviously responded after the game. At the end of the day, it’s about the team win.”

Lions coach Dan Campbell held Branch to account after the game.

‘I love Brian Branch, but what he did is inexcusable and it’s not going to be accepted here,’ Campbell said. ‘It’s not what we do, it’s not what we’re about.’

Branch’s absence further hurts an already shorthanded Lions secondary. Top cornerback D.J. Reed landed on injured reserve two weeks ago, leaving him out through at least the rest of October as he works his way back from a hamstring injury. Fellow starting cornerback Terrion Arnold and backup Avonte Maddox also missed Sunday’s contest with hamstring injuries.

Mahomes made quick work of Detroit’s defense, throwing for three touchdowns while adding another via the ground.

Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady could be a top candidate for the Titans’ coaching vacancy after Brian Callahan’s firing.
Kliff Kingsbury and Mike McCarthy could also be leading options if the team wants an offensive mind to mold Cam Ward.
If Tennessee is open to going the defensive route, Brian Flores, Vance Joseph and Jesse Minter could be among the potential options.

The Tennessee Titans will have plenty of time to do their homework to find their next coach.

In firing Brian Callahan on Monday, the team pulled the plug on a coaching regime after just 23 games. The results – a 4-19 mark that featured an abundance of errors and little to suggest a turnaround was in store – proved sufficient to warrant the abrupt change in direction. At 1-5, the Titans will be left to play out a season that quickly revealed itself to be nearly devoid of promise, even as No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward took the reins to the offense.

Instead, the focus is decidedly on the future.

Despite the cloud that has hung over the franchise dating back to the final two seasons of Mike Vrabel’s run, there is legitimate reason for optimism. Ward’s struggles have been pervasive as he navigates an offense equipping him with little support, but he’s also demonstrated the playmaking streak that helped propel him to become the top selection this past April. Tennessee is currently on track to have an NFL-high $113.8 million in cap space for 2026, according to Over The Cap, which general manager Mike Borgonzi and president of football operations Chad Brinker could utilize to plug the myriad holes throughout the roster. And with a new stadium set to open in 2027, the organization looks intent on getting off to a solid start as it opens a new era.

But just where does Tennessee turn from here?

Perhaps Ward’s presence creates somewhat of a mandate to turn to an offensively inclined candidate, and it stands to reason that the Titans would want an experienced play-caller after Callahan struggled to balance those duties with his head-coaching responsibilities. But a franchise that has won just 17 games since it earned the No. 1 seed in the 2021 AFC playoffs probably needs to entertain all opportunities for growth, no matter what form they come in.

With that said, here are 10 candidates who could draw the team’s eye as Callahan’s replacement:

Tennessee Titans coaching candidates

Joe Brady, Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator

On resume alone, there might be no more attractive candidate than Brady, who helped Josh Allen ascend to MVP status last season. But his allure extends beyond what he can do for one player. The 36-year-old is renowned for his ability to deploy a highly flexible attack capable of beating opponents in several different forms, with Buffalo entering Monday night’s contest ranked second in rushing yards (154.4 yards per game). As important as honing Ward’s considerable skills is to his development, Brady could also provide substantial assistance by lightening the ask of the talented passer in the early going. Landing Brady, who last season pulled out of the New Orleans Saints’ coaching search, could be difficult given that he might be the most sought-after option at the coordinator level. But he’d make plenty of sense for a Tennessee team desperate to clean up its act.

Kliff Kingsbury, Washington Commanders offensive coordinator

His work in helping Jayden Daniels become the nearly unanimous Offensive Rookie of the Year made him a hot commodity for the near future, but Kingsbury showed no urgency to jump ship after his first year on Dan Quinn’s staff. His offensive acumen and prior experience leading the Arizona Cardinals could make him a considerable draw for the Titans. He’s also shed some concerns about his predictability as a play-caller, instead building a more malleable system catered to Daniels’ strengths. Jumping to Tennessee and working with Ward would require a similar bespoke approach, but Kingsbury seems as though he would be up to the task – if he finds the opportunity enticing enough.

Mike McCarthy, former Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers head coach

The 61-year-old might not be seen as a natural fit for a franchise in need of rejuvenation. But he’s also a proven entity who could prove capable of stabilizing an organization that has repeatedly tripped itself up in recent years while making various pivots. Not only did he notch three consecutive 12-win seasons with the Cowboys from 2021-23, but his offenses also led the league in scoring twice during that span. Brinker rose up the ranks with the Packers and overlapped with McCarthy for a good stretch (2009-18), so there may be some common ground to explore here.

Arthur Smith, Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator

He’s another figure who won’t dazzle as a hire, and a reputation for rigidity in executing his scheme might make him somewhat of a strange fit as a potential mentor for Ward. But Smith has proven more malleable than many expected in getting aligned with Aaron Rodgers, and he was firmly on the NFL’s radar for a second try in the head-coaching ranks this past offseason. He certainly knows his way around the building after serving in several capacities as an assistant from 2011-20. In his final season in Nashville as offensive coordinator, he orchestrated a group that finished fourth in scoring and second in total yards, marking the only time since the franchise relocated from Houston that it has finished that high in either category.

Brian Flores, Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator

If Tennessee isn’t set on hiring an offensive mind, he’s probably the first call among the defense-oriented options. Flores occupies a singular space in the coordinator ranks, with his vexing scheme flustering opposing quarterbacks and play-callers alike. After interviewing with the Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets this past offseason, he could be nearing his opportunity for a second shot at a head-coaching role. But his outstanding lawsuit against the NFL could complicate his standing with teams, and he’ll have to answer for his strained relationship with Tua Tagovailoa during his time leading the Miami Dolphins.

Jesse Minter, Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator

Jim Harbaugh’s immediate revival of the Chargers is the stuff that struggling NFL franchises dream of. Recapturing that effect won’t be easy, but it’s understandable why teams might be drawn to Minter to execute a comparable turnaround. Los Angeles allowed the fewest points in 2024, his first year as defensive coordinator at the NFL level, and he looks due to become a staple of the interview circuit this winter.

Vance Joseph, Denver Broncos defensive coordinator

He’s another candidate who, in addition to his strong ongoing work at the coordinator level, would provide NFL head-coaching experience after his run leading the Broncos from 2017-18. Entering Week 7, Joseph’s current group leads the league with 30 sacks while ranking second in both yards allowed and scoring. In Tennessee, he could help ramp up a pass rush that ranks 27th in pressure rate (29.1%), according to Next Gen Stats, despite the considerable contributions of defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons.

Jeff Hafley, Packers defensive coordinator

At the start of the season, Hafley looked as though he might rocket to the top of several coaching hot boards amid the Packers’ dazzling defensive debut. His stock might have cooled down a bit with Green Bay looking a little more wobbly in recent weeks, but don’t discount him as a potential major player in the upcoming hiring cycle. If the former Boston College coach is willing to let Ward be as aggressive as he asks his defenses to be, this could be a fruitful partnership.

Josh Grizzard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator

This is veering into long-shot territory, but don’t rule it out. Grizzard, 35, is in his first year as an NFL offensive coordinator, so experience could prove prohibitive in landing a top job right away. But he’s sure to garner interest if he continues along this trajecory. In taking over for Liam Coen, Grizzard has managed to add his own wrinkles to a Buccaneers attack that ranks sixth in scoring. That’s largely due to him helping Baker Mayfield tap into MVP-caliber play. But he’s also done laudatory work in managing a spate of early-season injuries, including a full-blown reset up front while All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs was out.

Klint Kubiak, Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator

The Seahawks’ offense has been one of the more pleasant surprises of the early going. That’s a credit to Kubiak, who was tasked with shaping what amounted to a complete overhaul in philosophy after Ryan Grubb’s pass-happy approach last year clearly wore on head coach Mike Macdonald. The rugged ground game hasn’t materialized, but Kubiak has created an environment in which Sam Darnold can take calculated shots downfield. That no doubt would serve Ward well, especially as the organization figures out how to solve its longstanding problems along the offensive line.

Rookie quarterback Cam Ward’s blunt assessment of the Tennessee Titans last month shed light on the state of the team.   

The Titans made their first major decision to change the trajectory of the franchise Monday when they fired head coach Brian Callahan after less than two seasons.

‘After extended conversations with our owner and general manager, we met with Brian Callahan this morning to tell him we are making a change at head coach,” Titans president of football operations Chad Brinker said in a statement. “While we are committed to a patient and strategic plan to build a sustainable, winning football program, we have not demonstrated sufficient growth. Our players, fans, and community deserve a football team that achieves a standard we are not currently meeting, and we are committed to making the hard decisions necessary to reach and maintain that standard.’

Callahan went 4-19 in 23 games as the Titans head coach. One might think parting ways with a head coach after 23 games is premature, but when the No. 1 overall pick and franchise quarterback sounded the alarm after the Week 4 loss, it was only a matter of time before changes would be made in Tennessee.

The Titans are a bad football team. Tennessee has the NFL’s worst total offense (232.3 yards per game), they average the second fewest number of points (13.8) and rank No. 22 in total defense, allowing 343.3 yards per game.

Ward is among a few players on the roster that generate tangible optimism for the future. In Week 5, Ward and the Titans became the first team to overcome a deficit of at least 18 points and win with a rookie starting quarterback since the New York Giants on Sept. 22, 2019. He leads all rookies in passing yards (1,101) and passing yards per game (183).

“Everybody talks about his work ethic, how early he’s there, how late he stays,” franchise legend and Hall of Fame QB Warren Moon told USA TODAY Sports of Ward earlier this season. “He just loves to work. That’s what you want your best player being. You want him to be one of the hardest workers on the team. You want him to be a guy that doesn’t blink. That has tremendous confidence, but he puts in the work to back it up.”

Sure, Ward is experiencing rookie growing pains. He’s completed under 40% of his passes between 10-19 yards and has a 40% success rate on pass attempts beyond 20 yards, per Pro Football Focus. While his 55% overall completion percentage ranks last among starting quarterbacks.

But the Titans haven’t necessarily surrounded Ward with weapons. Does a receiving corps that consist of Calvin Ridley, Elic Ayomanor, Van Jefferson and Tyler Lockett strike fear on opponents? Or tight ends Chig Okonkwo and Gunnar Helm?

Tony Pollard is a solid starting running back, but he’s currently averaging 3.9 yards a carry.

The Titans must do a better job of building around Ward. That starts with whomever they hire as head coach.

The positive news is the Titans have enough resources. Tennessee enters the 2026 season with the most salary cap space in the NFL, per Over The Cap.

The Titans made the correct decision in taking Ward No. 1 overall in the 2025 draft. Now they must do right by the quarterback. The development and success of Ward is contingent upon the Titans’ ability to build around him and implementation of an offensive system that caters to his skill set.

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.

Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft said he’s not in a hurry to find James Franklin’s successor, a day after firing the coach who took the Nittany Lions to the College Football Playoff just last season.

Technically, Monday was Day 1 of the coaching search, and plenty of names have been tossed around. A few were asked about the job during their Monday weekly news conferences.

Here’s what they had to say:

Matt Rhule, Nebraska

Rhule, a Penn State linebacker from 1994-97, is in his third season as head coach at Nebraska with the Cornhuskers 5-1 this year. He has a proven track record as a program builder, as he led quick rebuilds at both Temple and Baylor. He also has a long friendship with Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft, who hired him at Temple.

‘(Nebraska athletic director Troy Dannen) and I understand the steps we need to take to make us Big Ten champions and national champions,’ Rhule said. ‘… I’m not going to talk a lot about job openings when they come. Maybe it’s been awhile here, but this is what happens when you win. I dealt with it when we won at Temple and I dealt with it all the time at Baylor.

‘I’m not going to talk about those things ever, I’m not going to talk about my contract here, I’m going to talk about the team. I absolutely love it here. I want us to continue to take the steps needed for us to turn this thing into a beast. … I’m really happy here.’

Rhule started his response by explaining his love for Penn State and Kraft, however. Rhule also mentioned how important Franklin was for stabilizing the program in a time of disarray when he took the job in 2014.

‘I love Penn State,’ Rhule said. ‘I met my wife there. It’s my alma mater. Fan since I was born, think I probably had a Penn State shirt on when I was born. I love Pat Kraft…

‘Troy and I are in unbelievable relationship too,’ he said. ‘And Troy and I are in constant, constant, constant communication about this program and where we’re headed.’

Manny Diaz, Duke

Diaz worked on Franklin’s staff at Penn State for two seasons as defensive coordinator and LBs coach in 2022-23 before taking the Duke job. Diaz has a 13-6 record with the Blue Devils, leading the program to a 9-4 record in 2024.

‘I know how hard James worked. I know nobody cared more about getting Penn State back to the top of college football,’ Diaz said, per Anna Snyder of the Fayetteville Observer.

‘I’ve already been through it. Look, there’s three things you go through when you’re a coach. You’re in the honeymoon phase, you’re in the please don’t leave phase, and then the please leave now phase … College football is preparation and mindset. And so I think that’s the whole key. You have got to be present where you are. And the second you start thinking about what’s next, you’re about to get it.

‘It does say a lot about where we are in college football right now, that three weeks ago, that they could be No. 2 in the country … And this is going to happen more. I don’t know that we’re fully aware of how our sport is changing or rapidly changing. You can’t build these massive conferences. Like, we’re just going to lose games more. That’s what’s going to happen. … I think we’re in a strange place in this sport because if you can have a bad three weeks and it can go that quickly, it just lets everybody know we’re not where we used to be.’

Brent Key, Georgia Tech

Key is a Georgia Tech alum and has the Ramblin’ Wreck wreckin’ folks. Key has started his fourth season in Atlanta 6-0 and has the Yellow Jackets up to No. 12 in the US LBM Coaches Poll.

He’s a hot name in carousel speculation and was asked more broadly about coaching openings in general Monday:

‘All of that noise, quote, unquote noise, it comes with success,’ Key told 680 The Score in Atlanta. ‘Would you rather not have it and be 3-3? Not at all. It’s part of it. True competitors get motivated by that stuff.”

Fran Brown, Syracuse

Brown went 10-3 in his first season as Orange coach last year and was off to a 3-1 start following a win at Clemson. He became a hot name with openings popping up and USA TODAY’s Matt Hayes was singing his praises. Syracuse has lost two straight, but Brown still has plenty of admirers. His name has popped up on a few early Franklin replacement lists out there. He seemed less than enthused when asked about the job Monday.

‘I mean I’m working at Syracuse right now, so I don’t really need to talk about that,’ Brown said at his weekly news conference. ‘If this wasn’t where I wanted to be right at this moment, would I be standing here at this moment? Yeah, so I’m just focused on that. I’m focused on being here. I’m locked in on coaching the players that I have here. This is where I work at. I think that’s disrespectful to even bring that up and ask that. What’s the point of asking that?’

Curt Cignetti, Indiana

The Hoosiers coach has been a name atop many Penn State wish lists — however realistic that is. Cignetti is from Pittsburgh, attended West Virginia and cut his teeth coaching at Pitt. That’s pro-Pennsylvania, but not necessarily pro-State University of Pennsylvania.

He wasn’t asked about the Penn State job at his weekly news conference Monday. In just his second season in Bloomington, Cignetti already signed an improved contract after last season’s playoff run. He’s paid as one of the nation’s top coaches and has mastered the winning formula in the NIL and portal era.

When asked why he signed that contract before last offseason’s coaching carousel, Cignetti responded: “We’re the emerging superpower in college football. Why would I leave?”

Indiana is 6-0 and ranked No. 3 in the country after its 30-20 win at Oregon on Saturday.

Keep up with the latest news and analysis from college football’s top two conferences: Check out our Big Ten Hub and our SEC Hub to get school-by-school coverage from across the USA TODAY Network.

Seven FBS coaches have been fired since the start of the 2025 season after James Franklin, Trent Bray and Trent Dilfer were dismissed Sunday, Oct. 12. And being a fired college football doesn’t seem all that bad.

The combined buyouts are pushing $100 million. And it won’t be long until we get there. So far, the number is at $93.5 million, according to contracts and term sheets obtained by USA TODAY Sports.

Franklin’s buyout is doing most of that lift at nearly $50 million, second-highest ever behind only Jimbo Fisher’s $76.8 million Texas A&M gave him to go away.

Here’s a look at the buyouts for the seven coaches fired so far this season:

College football 2025 fired coaches buyouts

These buyouts may be subject to coaches’ duty to mitigate by getting new jobs with the firing schools getting to offset the buyouts based on the new employment income.

James Franklin, Penn State $49 million
Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State, $15 million
Sam Pittman, Arkansas, $9.3 million
Brent Pry, Virginia Tech, $6.8 million
DeShaun Foster, UCLA, $6.4 million
Trent Bray, Oregon State, ~$4 million
Trent Dilfer, UAB, $3 million

Keep up with the latest news and analysis from college football’s top two conferences: Check out our Big Ten Hub and our SEC Hub to get school-by-school coverage from across the USA TODAY Network.

Seven FBS coaches have been fired since the start of the 2025 season after James Franklin, Trent Bray and Trent Dilfer were dismissed Sunday, Oct. 12. And being a fired college football doesn’t seem all that bad.

The combined buyouts are pushing $100 million. And it won’t be long until we get there. So far, the number is at $93.5 million, according to contracts and term sheets obtained by USA TODAY Sports.

Franklin’s buyout is doing most of that lift at nearly $50 million, second-highest ever behind only Jimbo Fisher’s $76.8 million Texas A&M gave him to go away.

Here’s a look at the buyouts for the seven coaches fired so far this season:

College football 2025 fired coaches buyouts

These buyouts may be subject to coaches’ duty to mitigate by getting new jobs with the firing schools getting to offset the buyouts based on the new employment income.

James Franklin, Penn State $49 million
Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State, $15 million
Sam Pittman, Arkansas, $9.3 million
Brent Pry, Virginia Tech, $6.8 million
DeShaun Foster, UCLA, $6.4 million
Trent Bray, Oregon State, ~$4 million
Trent Dilfer, UAB, $3 million

Keep up with the latest news and analysis from college football’s top two conferences: Check out our Big Ten Hub and our SEC Hub to get school-by-school coverage from across the USA TODAY Network.

Divisional rivalries just mean more to people like Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.

Tomlin did not shy away from some harsh criticism of the Cleveland Browns, who traded veteran quarterback Joe Flacco within the division to the struggling, quarterback-needy Cincinnati Bengals prior to Week 6.

The Steelers’ head coach went right at Browns general manager Andrew Berry with some strong thoughts on the Browns’ trade on Monday, one day after Tomlin’s team defeated Cleveland in a Sunday divisional clash.

‘Andrew Berry must be a lot smarter than me or us,’ Tomlin said, ‘because it doesn’t make sense to me to trade a quarterback that you think enough of to make your opening-day starter to a division opponent that’s hurting in that area. But that’s just my personal feelings.’

The Browns named Flacco their Week 1 starter during training camp in August. Flacco started the first four games for Cleveland this season, going 1-3 to begin his second stint with the Browns before he got benched.

When the Browns announced rookie Dillon Gabriel would be their new starting quarterback ahead of Week 5, Flacco became an immediate trade candidate.

The Bengals were a somewhat obvious trade partner. Backup Jake Browning had been struggling behind center in relief of the injured Joe Burrow, and Cincinnati had lost three straight.

Within one week, the 40-year-old Flacco had been traded to a team not only within the AFC North division but within the same state. Ahead of Week 6, Bengals named the newly acquired Flacco their new starting quarterback, replacing Browning as Burrow remains sidelined with a turf toe injury.

The Flacco-led Bengals dropped their Week 6 game to the Green Bay Packers to fall to 2-4, but the 18-year veteran threw for 219 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions.

Flacco has now started at least one game for every team in the AFC North besides Tomlin’s Steelers. His career began in 2008 with the Baltimore Ravens, one year after Tomlin took over as the head coach in Pittsburgh. Flacco played 11 years in Baltimore and has since played out two separate five-game stints with the Browns before joining the Bengals this year.

Tomlin and the Steelers will face Flacco and the Bengals for the first time this season on Thursday night.

Pittsburgh will be gunning for a fourth straight win, while Cincinnati is hoping to stop a four-game slide after a 2-0 start to the season.