College football’s coaching carousel never sleeps. As we inch toward the 2026 season, the pressure on head coaches is getting pretty intense.
Buyouts hang overhead, fans are restless, and preseason hype often turns into job security drama. More than 20 coaches are staring down a make-or-break year, from legendary programs to first-timers just trying to hang on.
Let’s take a look at which coaches are feeling the heat and who might be on their way out.
Florida State’s Mike Norvell: A Make-or-Break Season
Mike Norvell is heading into his seventh year at Florida State. The Seminoles have only managed seven wins over the past two seasons, which wiped out any momentum from their 13-1 ACC title run in 2023.
Florida State is predicted to finish 11th in the ACC, and Norvell is taking back play-calling duties in 2026 after stepping away last year. His buyout is still north of $50 million, but it drops each season, so the school could pull the trigger if things go south again.
Prediction: Norvell is fired during the 2026 season
North Carolina’s Bill Belichick: A Long-Term Project
Bill Belichick wrapped up his first season at North Carolina with a 4-8 record, just 2-6 in the ACC. At 75, he’s betting on continuity, pointing out that most of the team stuck around for spring ball.
It hasn’t been smooth, though; GM Michael Lombardi is on administrative leave, adding more off-field headaches. Still, Belichick’s hire always felt like a long-haul plan rather than a quick fix.
Prediction: Belichick keeps his job in 2026 regardless of record
Boston College’s Bill O’Brien: Running Out of Time
Bill O’Brien is rolling into his third year at Boston College after a rough 2-10 finish in 2025. The Eagles were 125th in rushing offense, so O’Brien’s brought in about 50 new players, including transfer QB Mason McKenzie.
Confidence is one thing, but three years of going backward—even at a place with lower expectations—gets old for fans and administrators real fast.
Prediction: O’Brien is fired at the end of the 2026 season
Clemson’s Dabo Swinney: Legacy and Buyout
Dabo Swinney’s Clemson Tigers went 7-6 last season, their first year without at least eight wins since 2010. They open 2026 at LSU, which is a tough draw.
Swinney’s brushed off the noise, and his buyout sits at $57 million in 2026—no offset, so Clemson’s on the hook even if he takes another gig.
Prediction: Swinney is not fired in 2026 regardless of outcome
NC State’s Dave Doeren: Chasing an ACC Championship
Dave Doeren is entering his 14th season at NC State after a 7-5 finish. He got a public vote of confidence from AD Boo Corrigan.
Doeren isn’t on the chopping block; he’s chasing that elusive ACC title. With QB CJ Bailey back and a solid track record, his job looks pretty safe.
Prediction: Doeren is not fired in 2026
Cincinnati’s Scott Satterfield: Steady Improvement
Scott Satterfield’s starting his fourth season at Cincinnati with a 15-22 record overall. The Bearcats have upped their win total every year and finally made a bowl under Satterfield last season.
A full defensive overhaul is supposed to help even more.
Prediction: Satterfield is not fired in 2026
Colorado’s Deion Sanders: Fighting Through Adversity
Deion Sanders is in his fourth year at Colorado after a 3-9 season, capped by a five-game losing streak. Sanders missed a chunk of last year fighting bladder cancer, which he says played a role in the team’s struggles.
His national profile and the school’s investment in the rebuild buy him some breathing room.
Prediction: Sanders is not fired in 2026
Kansas’ Lance Leipold: Rebuilding the Program
Lance Leipold’s entering his sixth season at Kansas after back-to-back 5-7 finishes. That’s a dip from the nine-win 2023, but Leipold’s history of dragging Kansas out of the basement still gives him some slack.
Prediction: Leipold is not fired in 2026
Maryland’s Mike Locksley: Administration’s Support
Mike Locksley’s rolling into his eighth year at Maryland after two straight 4-8 seasons. Even so, AD Jim Smith says Locksley’s staying and NIL support is getting a boost.
Locksley insists the record doesn’t tell the whole story, pointing to a bunch of close losses.
Prediction: Locksley keeps his job in 2026
USC’s Lincoln Riley: High Expectations
Lincoln Riley is in year five at USC, coming off a nine-win 2025 and welcoming the nation’s top recruiting class. The Trojans finished 13th in total offense last year, and Riley’s pretty upbeat about where things are headed.
His $80 million buyout doesn’t hurt his job security, either.
Prediction: Riley is not fired in 2026
Wisconsin’s Luke Fickell: High Stakes
Luke Fickell is entering his fourth year at Wisconsin after a 4-8 season—the program’s worst since 1990. He’s 17-21 over three years, and AD Chris McIntosh says they’ll invest more in the roster.
Fickell’s admitted the last two years have fallen short of what Wisconsin expects.
Prediction: Fickell is fired during the 2026 season
Nebraska’s Matt Rhule: Fan Base Impatience
Matt Rhule starts his fourth year at Nebraska after back-to-back 7-6 seasons. He got a two-year extension last October, but people still think he’s on one of the hotter seats in the Big Ten.
Rhule knows the team has to take a step forward now.
Prediction: Rhule is not fired in 2026
South Carolina’s Shane Beamer: Administration’s Support
Shane Beamer is heading into his sixth year at South Carolina after a 4-8 finish. Despite that, AD Jeremiah Donati says Beamer’s back for 2026.
Beamer’s banking on experience and a new offensive coordinator to turn things around.
Prediction: Beamer is not fired in 2026
Oklahoma’s Brent Venables: Reset Expectations
Brent Venables is starting his fifth season at Oklahoma after a 10-3 year that ended with a Playoff loss to Alabama. Even with a tough schedule, Venables points to leadership and roster depth as reasons for hope.
Prediction: Venables is not fired in 2026
Mississippi State’s Jeff Lebby: Close to the Floor
Jeff Lebby is in year three at Mississippi State with a 7-18 record, just 1-15 in SEC games. He’s mentioned roster retention as a positive, but a 1-15 conference record is about as bad as it gets in the SEC.
Prediction: Lebby is fired by the end of the 2026 season
Georgia State’s Brian McGee: Steep Decline
Brian McGee starts his third year at Georgia State after a 1-11 season—a big drop from the 7-6 bowl team he inherited in 2024. The results just haven’t been there.
Prediction: McGee is fired in 2026
Louisiana Tech’s Sonny Cumbie: Proven Turnaround
Sonny Cumbie is entering year five at Louisiana Tech after going 8-5 and winning the Independence Bowl. The move to the Sun Belt is a step up, but that turnaround last year bought him some time.
Prediction: Cumbie is not fired in 2026
Middle Tennessee’s Derek Mason: Close but Not Enough
Derek Mason is in his third year at Middle Tennessee with a 6-18 record. There were a few close calls and a late surge, but overall, it hasn’t been enough to feel safe.
Prediction: Mason is fired in 2026
UTEP’s Scotty Walden: Tough Transition
Scotty Walden enters his third year at UTEP with a 5-19 record. The jump from Conference USA to the Mountain West isn’t making things easier.
Walden preaches effort and detail, but so far, the wins just haven’t followed.
Prediction: Walden is fired during the 2026 season
Wyoming’s Jay Sawvel: Missed Opportunities
Jay Sawvel is starting year three at Wyoming with a 7-17 record. The Mountain West is changing, but the team’s performance hasn’t kept up, so they’ve made a coordinator switch.
Prediction: Sawvel is fired in 2026
For a closer look at which coaches might be in trouble heading into 2026, you can read the full article on Sports Illustrated.
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