The Coaches Feeling the Heat
Andy Staples of On3 has become a go‑to analyst for tracking the volatility that defines modern college football, and his latest report zeroes in on a dozen coaches who are perched on the edge of the hot seat as the 2026 season looms.
The conversation isn’t limited to a single conference; it spans the Power Five and reaches into programs that have traditionally enjoyed stability, highlighting how quickly expectations can shift in the sport’s high‑stakes environment.
Lincoln Riley, who left Oklahoma for USC, is under intense scrutiny after a series of seasons that failed to meet the Trojans’ lofty preseason rankings, while Mike Locksley at Maryland continues to wrestle with inconsistency despite a promising start.
Shane Beamer at South Carolina carries a 33‑30 record over five years, but a 4‑8 finish in 2025 has amplified the pressure, and the same fate looms over Bill Belichick at North Carolina and Mike Norvell at Florida State, both of whom saw their 2024 campaigns unravel.
Meanwhile, Dave Aranda’s tenure at Baylor has produced just 22 victories and two bowl defeats since the program’s surprise Big 12 title run, and Scott Satterfield at Cincinnati sits at 15‑22 over three years, a record that has drawn criticism from fans and analysts alike.
What’s at Stake for the Programs
The ripple effects extend beyond individual contracts; institutions such as the University of South Carolina and the University of North Carolina are re‑evaluating their coaching strategies, while the broader narrative underscores how quickly a program’s fortunes can pivot in college football’s ever‑changing landscape.
As the 2025 season draws to a close, the decisions made by athletic directors will shape not only the immediate rosters but also the recruiting pipelines and fan engagement that drive revenue for the athletic departments and their commercial partners.
The upcoming months will likely bring a flurry of buyouts, hirings, and strategic pivots, setting the stage for a 2026 season that could redefine the competitive balance across the nation’s top programs.