College Football News: Michigan Hire, SEC Payouts & Eligibility Battles

College football’s offseason continues to deliver news even as the games themselves are on pause. Coaching moves, financial distributions, and eligibility battles are dominating headlines as programs prepare for the upcoming season.

Michigan Adds Defensive Line Coach

The Michigan Wolverines have filled a coaching vacancy, hiring Larry Black as their new defensive tackle coach. Black joins Kyle Whittingham’s staff after three seasons (2022-2025) leading the defensive line at Vanderbilt. Prior to his time with the Commodores, he held the same position at Toledo from 2019-2021.

SEC Distributes Over $1 Billion to Member Institutions

The financial strength of the Southeastern Conference was on full display with the recent distribution of over $1 billion to its 16 member universities for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, which concluded last August. This represents an increase of more than $200 million compared to the previous year’s distribution. A portion of this total, $37.4 million, was retained by universities that participated in the College Football Playoff and bowl games.

The average distribution to schools with full-year financial participation reached $72.4 million. Oklahoma and Texas, who officially joined the conference in July 2024, received distributions of $2.6 million and $12.1 million respectively, accounting for their College Football Playoff and bowl participation, as well as designated NCAA funds. This figure marks an approximate $18.6 million increase over the 2023-2024 average of $53.8 million for full members.

The payout encompasses revenue generated from television agreements, postseason bowl games, the College Football Playoff, the SEC Championship Game, the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament, and NCAA championships.

NCAA Eligibility Rulings Spark Debate

Eligibility rulings continue to be a point of contention in college athletics. Ole Miss defensive lineman Isaac Chambliss was denied a waiver appeal by the NCAA for a sixth year of eligibility. Chambliss transferred to Ole Miss after four years at Ferris State, a Division II institution. He became a key contributor for the Rebels after an injury to starter Austin Simmons, playing a significant role in their run to the CFP semifinals.

Meanwhile, Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar has secured a temporary restraining order in his lawsuit against the NCAA. Aguilar is seeking an additional year of eligibility, arguing that the years he spent in junior college should not count against his Division I eligibility. A Knox County Chancery Court judge granted the temporary restraining order, stating Aguilar had demonstrated a “substantial likelihood of success on the merits of his claim.” The order is effective for 15 days, pending an injunction hearing. The ruling currently applies only to Aguilar’s case.

Aguilar had previously withdrawn as a plaintiff in a federal lawsuit filed by Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia. Pavia’s suit challenges an NCAA rule that counts seasons spent at junior colleges against players’ eligibility for Division I football. The legal battles highlight the evolving landscape of college athlete eligibility and the increasing scrutiny of NCAA regulations.

The SEC’s substantial financial distribution underscores the conference’s dominance in college athletics, providing its member institutions with significant resources. This financial advantage will likely be a key factor in recruiting and maintaining competitive programs. The coaching carousel continues to turn, with Michigan adding Larry Black to their staff as they prepare for the upcoming season. The eligibility cases of Chambliss and Aguilar represent ongoing challenges to the NCAA’s rules and regulations, as athletes seek to maximize their opportunities within the evolving framework of college sports.