Coaching changes are being made within the Tulsa football program.
Head coach Kevin Wilson, who is in just his second season with the program, is set to be relieved from his duties. The Golden Hurricanes have a disappointing 3-8 record heading into their final game of the 2024 season on November 30 against Florida Atlantic.
Tulsa is set to fire head coach Kevin Wilson, sources tell @CBSSports/@247Sports.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) November 24, 2024
The sixth AAC head coaching job to open in the last month. Wilson, who previously a head coach at Indiana and an OC at Ohio State and Oklahoma, was in Year 2 at Tulsa.https://t.co/FQ4jDhZGhE pic.twitter.com/XsZK7RxFMZ
Now, you may be asking: why does this news affect the University of North Carolina in any way? Well, the guy who is going to be named the interim head coach is a former UNC football legend and a fan favorite in Chapel Hill.
Former NFL wide receiver Ryan Switzer is set to be named Tulsa’s interim head coach, a source tells @CBSSports/@247Sports.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) November 24, 2024
Has been the team’s receivers coach. https://t.co/XSIpsVKY1B pic.twitter.com/Oolqu1RipY
Ryan Switzer is set to become the interim head coach for Tulsa, earning his first head coaching opportunity at the collegiate level. While this may be a temporary move, it will provide Switzer, who was serving as the team's wide receivers coach, the opportunity to lead the way on the sideline, at least for one game.
Back in August, Switzer was tabbed as one of the top 30 youngest coaches and rising stars in the college football realm. Here's what Chris Hummer of 247Sports had to say at the time about why Switzer earned a spot on the list:
"You probably remember Switzer from his time as a record-setting receiver or his multiple stints in the NFL. But Switzer joined Tulsa's coaching staff last offseason, and he's found a ton of success as a recruiter. The Golden Hurricanes signed arguably the best G-5 WR class in the country, including a trio of players rated 88 or better that all had multiple P-4 offers. Switzer also helped former walk-on Kamdyn Benjamin go from 18 yards in 2022 to leading the team with 727 (9th in the AAC)."
This is a testament to the impression Switzer has made during his time on the Tulsa football program's coaching staff, as who knows: maybe there's a chance this becomes a permanent gig once this all gets figured out.
Regardless of how it shapes up, Ryan Switzer continues to rise up the coaching ranks, and should earn plenty of opportunities down the road as he gains more experience (especially something like this interim role).