Kevin Wilson firing: Why is Tulsa head coach being dismissed?

After Tulsa lost 63-30 to South Florida on Saturday, the Golden Hurricane is expected to fire head coach Kevin Wilson. ESPN senior reporter Pete Thamel reported on Sunday morning that Wilson is expected to be fired.

He wrote on X:

"Sources: Tulsa is expected to fire coach Kevin Wilson this morning, as he's 7-16 in two seasons at the school. Tulsa fell to 1-6 in the AAC on Saturday and 3-8 overall in 2024 with a 63-30 loss at South Florida on Saturday. This marks the 6th AAC job to open in this cycle."

According to Thamel's sources, the decision to fire Wilson came down to a need for change in results and culture. Reportedly, Tulsa officials are interested in a fresh start for its football program.

The Tulsa football program is under new management and is expected to increase its commitment to the game, which includes the finances to compete at a championship level in the AAC.

Kevin Wilson will be the sixth AAC coach to be fired this season. He will join the coaches from Charlotte, Rice, Temple, East Carolina and FAU as fired AAC coaches this season.

Kevin Wilson's history as coach

Getting fired by Tulsa would mark the end of Kevin Wilson's second college football head coaching tenure. He was hired by the Golden Hurricane on December 5, 2022, and coached the team for two seasons.

In his first season with Tulsa, he had a 4-8 record. He was then fired one game before the end of the 2024 season with a 3-8 record.

Wilson was previously the head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers from 2011 to 2016. In that time, he amassed a 26-47 record and did not have a winning season. His best season was his final season when his team went 6-6.

His team had two bowl appearances during his tenure, although he did not coach the final game. He resigned before the game after several internal investigations into the mistreatment of players.

Between his two head coaching jobs, Wilson was hired as the offensive coordinator and tight ends coach at Ohio State. He was part of the team that made the national championship game in 2020.

With Wilson out as the head coach of the Tulsa Golden Hurricane, the school will begin its search for a new appointee. An interim head coach will likely be selected for the final game of the season before an official hire is made in the off-season.