Coaches on the Hot Seat Entering 2026

The coaching carousel began remarkably early in 2025, with UCLA dismissing DeShaun Foster and Virginia Tech parting ways with Brent Pry after poor starts. By September 14, they both registered 0-3 records. In that hiring cycle, 32 FBS teams saw coaching changes. Over the past three years, there have been 93 head coach changes in college football. As programs increasingly invest in NIL deals to strengthen their rosters, coaches face rising pressure to deliver quick success. It’s plausible that the coaching carousel might restart before the opening month of the next football season concludes.

Five Coaches on the Hot Seat

Here are five coaches under scrutiny as the 2026 season approaches.

1. Lincoln Riley, USC

In May, USC Athletic Director Jennifer Cohen stated her expectation for the Trojans to reach the College Football Playoff. Before 2022, Riley signed a decade-spanning contract worth $110 million with USC. Arriving with three CFP appearances in five years at Oklahoma, Riley was tasked with restoring USC’s national championship ambitions. His record stands at 35-18 over his first four seasons in Los Angeles. The standout season was 2022, when USC posted an 11-3 record, and quarterback Caleb Williams won the Heisman Trophy. USC hasn’t exceeded 10 wins since.

2. Mike Norvell, Florida State

Florida State appeared on track last season by defeating Alabama 31-17 in Week 1. The team started 3-0 but stumbled with four consecutive losses, ending 5-7. This was an improvement over the 2-10 record in 2024. Norvell faced scrutiny during the season, yet a substantial buyout reportedly kept him in place for 2026. The expectations for FSU this year remain tempered. Norvell, with a 38-34 record at the university, enjoyed his best season in 2023 when FSU went 13-1, surprisingly missing the Playoff due to an injury to quarterback Jordan Travis.

3. Luke Fickell, Wisconsin

Wisconsin fans have expressed dissatisfaction with Luke Fickell’s performance since he took over before their 2022 bowl game. Fickell was seen as a strong choice for the Badgers, having led Cincinnati to the CFP in 2021. So far, his record at Wisconsin is 17-21, with just one winning season. Following a 4-8 record in 2025, Athletic Director Chris McIntosh committed to supporting Fickell with investments in recruitment and retention. This season requires Fickell to show progress to maintain support among Wisconsin stakeholders.

4. Shane Beamer, South Carolina

South Carolina is a challenging SEC position. Beamer achieved 9-4 in 2024, a worthy season, surrounded by a 5-7 mark in 2023 and a 4-8 record, including 1-7 in SEC play, in 2025. Beamer has a 33-30 record over five years at South Carolina. With LaNorris Sellers at quarterback, the Gamecocks possess the talent for a successful season this fall. Another losing season might lead to a coaching change.

5. Dave Aranda, Baylor

Dave Aranda led Baylor to remarkable success in 2021, capturing the Big 12 title and the Sugar Bowl. However, since then, he’s recorded only one winning season and holds a 36-37 record over six years. Baylor’s 5-7 season in 2025 intensifies the need for improvement as the team adapts to a Big 12 without Texas and Oklahoma. Aranda recruited DJ Lagway from Florida to energize the offense. The outcome this fall may determine his future with the Bears.

For further coverage on the NCAA, refer to Newsweek Sports.