What Happened to Thomas Herman III?

Tom Herman's coaching career is characterized by a rapid ascent through the college football ranks, marked by innovative offensive schemes and a reputation for turning programs around, followed by periods of heightened expectations and eventual departures. His journey began to gain significant national attention during his tenure as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Ohio State University from 2012 to 2014. Under his guidance, the Buckeyes' offense was consistently high-powered, culminating in a national championship victory in 2014, for which Herman received the prestigious Broyles Award as the nation's top assistant coach.

This success propelled Herman into his first head coaching role at the University of Houston in 2015. In just two seasons, he compiled an impressive 22-4 record, leading the Cougars to an American Athletic Conference (AAC) championship in 2015 and a Peach Bowl victory over a highly-ranked Florida State team. His ability to elevate a Group of Five program to national relevance made him one of the most sought-after coaches in the country. The success at Houston led to his highly anticipated move to the University of Texas in November 2016, where he signed a five-year contract with a base salary of $5 million per year.

At Texas, Herman's tenure from 2017 to 2020 saw the Longhorns achieve a 32-18 record, including a perfect 4-0 record in bowl games, highlighted by a Sugar Bowl win against Georgia in 2019. Despite these bowl successes and a 10-win season in 2018, Herman faced increasing criticism for failing to consistently elevate Texas back to national championship contention and for handling off-field issues, particularly a controversy surrounding the school's alma mater, "The Eyes of Texas." These factors ultimately led to his firing on January 2, 2021.

Following his departure from Texas, Herman spent a season as an offensive analyst for the Chicago Bears in the NFL in 2021. He then returned to college football as the head coach of Florida Atlantic University (FAU), announced on December 1, 2022. His time at FAU was short-lived and challenging, as he was fired on November 18, 2024, during his second season after the team started 2-8 overall and 0-6 in conference play. His overall record at FAU was 6-16. Herman was reportedly owed $4.1 million from FAU at the time of his firing.

As of July 13, 2026, Tom Herman has re-entered the college football coaching landscape by joining the Florida State Seminoles' staff. While his specific role has not been fully clarified, reports indicate he will serve as a member of the team's support staff. This move comes after a year away from coaching following his FAU dismissal and is seen by some analysts as a strategic addition for Florida State, potentially leveraging Herman's extensive offensive knowledge and head coaching experience.