Coach News Today — September 27, 2026
OU's Venables mulled benching QB Mateer after nightmare first half vs. UGA and more — today's coach signal.
College football coaches know that one half or even one play can change the entire complexion of a game, and that's exactly what happened in a couple of key matchups this weekend. Oklahoma's Brent Venables considered making a drastic change at quarterback, benching Dillon Gabriel for Mateer after a dismal first half against top-ranked Georgia, ultimately deciding to stick with Gabriel. Meanwhile, Ole Miss is dealing with its own injury concerns, as star running back Quinshon Lacy is not expected to play against Florida, a tough loss for a Rebels team that's already reeling after getting throttled by the Gators.
Those storylines are a reminder that coaches have to be prepared for anything that comes their way, whether it's making tough lineup decisions or navigating adversity. In other news, the NFL coaching carousel continues to spin, with Bill Belichick set to face off against former assistant Mike McDaniel and the 49ers. The Giants-Daboll reunion is also expected to draw plenty of attention, as Brian Daboll faces off against his former team. And in a heartwarming story, Jets coach Aaron Glenn and Lions coach Dan Campbell will share a special bond forever after overcoming similar challenges in their personal lives.
Today's signal:
• OU's Venables mulled benching QB Mateer after nightmare first half vs. UGA (espn.com)
• Golding questions Ole Miss after 'old-fashioned butt whupping' at Florida (espn.com)
• Venables mulled benching QB Mateer after nightmare first half (espn.com)
• Ole Miss RB Lacy not expected to play in key matchup vs. Gators (espn.com)
• What to expect from the much-anticipated Giants-Daboll reunion (espn.com)
• Why Jets coach Aaron Glenn and Lions coach Dan Campbell will share a bond forever (espn.com)