College football’s coaching carousel has been especially active over the last two seasons, with more than 60 changes. But with Florida State’s Mike Norvell, Wisconsin’s Luke Fickell and Baylor’s Dave Aranda topping the list of coaches on the hot seat entering the 2026 season, the carousel isn’t likely to slow down this year.
Outside of the top three names, it’s a crucial year for Maryland’s Mike Locksley to show improvement after back-to-back losing seasons. Additionally, South Carolina’s Shane Beamer is looking to rebound after a disappointing 4-8 mark last year. Boston College’s Bill O’Brien, Mississippi State’s Jeff Lebby and Cincinnati’s Scott Satterfield are just a few of the other coaches from the power conference ranks feeling the heat, with Georgia State’s Dell McGee and Middle Tennessee’s Derek Mason headlining the top names under pressure in the Group of 6 conferences.
With the ’26 season starting in just a few days, Athlon Sports examines the top 10 coaches on the hot seat, along with a few names getting warm and facing increasing pressure entering ‘26:
After back-to-back losing seasons and a 3-13 mark in ACC play since 2024, Norvell’s seat is scalding hot entering ‘26. A hefty buyout may have saved Norvell last season, but a third consecutive losing record would likely spell the end of his tenure. The Seminoles were snubbed from the College Football Playoff after a 13-1 record and ACC Championship in ‘23. However, the program massively regressed the following year with a 2-10 mark and enters this season with major question marks once again. Florida State has not won a road game in two years and is just 38-34 overall under Norvell.
Considering Fickell’s ties to the Big Ten as a former player and coach at Ohio State, he seemed like a surefire home-run hire at Wisconsin — especially after leading Cincinnati to a 57-18 record (2017-22) and a trip to the College Football Playoff (2021). However, the Badgers have struggled to find their footing under Fickell. The program is only 17-21 under his watch and has posted back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since 1991-92. Wisconsin hopes an increased investment in the roster gets Fickell’s tenure back on track in ‘26.
After a 12-2 record and a Big 12 title in 2021, the arrow seemed to be pointing up for Aranda’s tenure in Waco. However, progress has been scarce, as the Bears have just one winning season (8-5 in ‘24) over the last four years. Aranda is just 36-37 overall in charge at Baylor, and the school’s late change of athletic director last season may have saved his job after a disappointing 5-7 record in ‘25.
Locksley’s recruiting ability isn’t in question, but after guiding the program to three straight bowl games (2021-23), Maryland has finished 4-8 in back-to-back seasons. The Terrapins are just 2-16 in Big Ten play in that span. Since taking over the job in ‘19, Locksley is 36-44 overall and has yet to post a winning record in conference play.
McGee’s extensive ties to the state of Georgia seemingly made him a good hire at Georgia State prior to 2024. However, the former Auburn cornerback could be facing a make-or-break year this fall. The Panthers are just 4-20 under his watch and have managed only one victory in Sun Belt play over the last two years.
After nearly earning a trip to the College Football Playoff with a nine-win regular season in 2024, South Carolina took a step back with a 4-8 mark last fall. Beamer is 33-30 since taking over in Columbia and has guided the team to three winning seasons. However, the Gamecocks are just 16-24 in SEC play, and last year’s disappointment looms large. Can Beamer get this program back on track in ‘26?
Mason is just 6-18 in two years at Middle Tennessee and needs to show marked improvement to earn another season in 2027. In addition to struggling in the win column, the defense — Mason’s side of the ball — has ranked near the bottom of Conference USA in each of the last two years. A 34-14 blowout loss to FCS opponent Austin Peay to open the ‘25 campaign certainly didn’t sit well in Murfreesboro.
After a 7-6 debut at Boston College in 2024, the seat under O’Brien quickly heated up with a 2-10 record last season. Will a transfer-heavy roster overhaul, along with significant staff changes, help the Eagles get back on track in ‘26?
Mississippi State displayed progress in Lebby’s second year in 2025. After a 2-10 record in ‘24, the Bulldogs improved to 5-8 and had a couple of close calls in SEC play, including matchups against Texas and Tennessee. Even though Mississippi State faces a hard schedule, another losing season — especially if it features close losses with more questionable in-game decisions similar to the ones that popped up in ‘25 — could spell trouble for Lebby’s tenure.
Satterfield was squarely on the hot seat entering 2025 after an 8-16 start to his Cincinnati tenure. Although last year’s 7-6 record cooled the heat a bit, a five-game losing streak to end ‘25 didn’t sit well. A fast start is needed this fall.
Bill Belichick, North Carolina
Not only are the on-field results lagging after Belichick went 4-8 in his North Carolina debut last season, but the program has also seen significant off-the-field drama under the 74-year-old coach. If marked improvement isn’t noticeable in ‘26, could the Tar Heels look for a way to move on?
Lincoln Riley, USC
Riley has a hefty buyout, but the pressure is mounting to get USC into the College Football Playoff. Program investment and resources have increased in recent years, and Riley landed the No. 1 recruiting class in ‘26. Riley is 35-18 in Los Angeles and nearly guided the team to a playoff trip in ‘22. However, considering the level of investment and talent, he’s running out of time and excuses to not guide this team to a major step forward.
Dabo Swinney, Clemson
Swinney isn’t in danger of being fired, but the program has slipped a bit and last year’s 7-6 record was a major disappointment. Can Swinney get Clemson back on track? If he can’t in ‘26, the pressure will significantly increase.
Major Applewhite, South Alabama
The Jaguars went 7-6 in Applewhite’s debut in 2024 but regressed to 4-8 last year. A return to a bowl game is needed in ‘26.
Jeff Choate, Nevada
Nevada is a tough job with resource challenges, but the 2026 season is a crucial one with Choate going 6-19 through his first two years.
Jay Sawvel, Wyoming
An overhauled offense provides optimism for the Cowboys in 2026 after a 7-17 start to Sawvel’s tenure.
Scotty Walden, UTEP
Walden was a promising hire at UTEP after a successful stint at Austin Peay. However, he’s only 5-19 so far in El Paso.
