In the high-stakes world of College Football, head coaches are under relentless pressure. Fanbases often turn on their leaders at the first sign of trouble.
This season’s already seen some big shake-ups, with UCLA’s DeShaun Foster and Virginia Tech’s Brent Pry both out of a job. As we hit the mid-season stretch, everyone’s wondering: who’s next?
Here’s a look at the top ten college football coaches currently on the hot seat. We’ll dig into why their positions are so shaky and what might come next for them.
Dabo Swinney: Clemson Tigers
The Clemson Tigers have stumbled out of the gate, sitting at 1-3 after entering the season with huge expectations. Fans are frustrated, and honestly, who can blame them?
Still, Dabo Swinney has taken this program to heights few thought possible. His track record speaks for itself.
Why Swinney is Safe
Despite the rough start, Swinney’s past success gives him a cushion. He’s earned a bit of grace, at least for now.
David Braun: Northwestern Wildcats
David Braun stepped in after Pat Fitzgerald was fired, handling a tough situation as well as anyone could. But with Northwestern planning a new stadium, the clock might be ticking.
If the Wildcats don’t show real progress, the school could look for a long-term answer. The pressure’s definitely on Braun to deliver.
The Stakes for Braun
Northwestern’s investment in new facilities makes it clear they want a fresh start. Braun’s performance this season could decide if he sticks around.
Mark Stoops: Kentucky Wildcats
Even if Mark Stoops has a down year, his job seems safe thanks to a massive buyout clause. Kentucky would owe him 75% of his remaining contract—$40.5 million—within 60 days if they let him go.
That’s a lot of money to swallow, so it’s hard to see Stoops going anywhere soon.
Financial Security
Stoops’ contract is basically a shield. Kentucky’s leadership would have to think long and hard before making any big moves.
Bill Belichick: North Carolina Tar Heels
The Bill Belichick experiment at North Carolina is off to a shaky start. The team’s 2-2, and they’ve been outscored 82-23 in games against TCU and UCF.
People are starting to wonder if Belichick’s really the right fit here.
On-Field Struggles and Off-Field Drama
The mix of poor results and internal issues isn’t helping Belichick’s case. The next few games could be make-or-break for his future with the Tar Heels.
Tony Elliot: Virginia Cavaliers
Tony Elliot came into the season already feeling the heat, and Brent Pry’s firing at Virginia Tech only turned it up. Even with a 3-1 start, Elliot’s overall record of 14-24 isn’t inspiring much confidence.
ACC play is right around the corner, and if Virginia spots a better option, they might just make a move.
The Buyout Factor
Elliot’s buyout is just $4.5 million, so Virginia could cut ties without too much pain. How the team performs in the next few weeks will matter a lot.
Trent Dilfer: UAB Blazers
Trent Dilfer’s time at UAB is on thin ice. He’s 9-19 overall and 6-12 in conference play, and the gamble to hire him just hasn’t worked out so far.
One more rough season might be all it takes for UAB to start over.
Performance Under Scrutiny
Dilfer hasn’t been able to turn things around. The UAB administration is definitely watching closely.
Luke Fickell: Wisconsin Badgers
Wisconsin brought in Luke Fickell to boost the program after letting Paul Chryst go. Instead, things seem to have gone the other way.
The Badgers haven’t kept up in terms of talent, and if Big Ten play goes badly, Fickell could be on the chopping block.
Expectations vs. Reality
Fickell was supposed to take Wisconsin to the next level, but so far, it’s been a letdown. The next stretch of games is huge for him.
Sam Pittman: Arkansas Razorbacks
Arkansas started strong, but losses to Ole Miss and Memphis have derailed things. There’s talk—even among the coaching staff—about a possible change.
Bobby Petrino is reportedly angling for the interim job, which is telling.
Internal Turmoil
The Razorbacks’ struggles have led to a lot of chatter behind the scenes. Pittman needs to turn things around, fast.
Mike Gundy: Oklahoma State Cowboys
Mike Gundy’s been around forever, but he’s having a tough time with the new NIL and Transfer Portal era. The Cowboys just can’t seem to build a solid roster these days.
His recent pay cut could be a sign that bigger changes are coming.
Adapting to Change
Gundy’s got to adapt, plain and simple. If he doesn’t, Oklahoma State might decide it’s time for a new direction.
Billy Napier: Florida Gators
Billy Napier’s time at Florida feels a bit shaky. He survived last season thanks to a miracle run, but not hiring a play-calling offensive coordinator is starting to look like a big mistake.
Florida’s on a bye week, so Napier’s safe for now. But with the schedule ahead, things could change in a hurry.
The Clock is Ticking
Napier’s future at Florida hangs in the balance. The next few weeks could decide everything for him.
Without a real turnaround, it’s hard to imagine he’ll stick around much longer.
For more in-depth analysis and updates on the coaching carousel, check out Saturday Blitz.
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