With the 2025 college football season fast approaching, several head coaches find themselves facing intense pressure to produce winning results immediately.
According to 247Sports, five coaches will enter the season with little margin for error, expected to turn their programs around or solidify success without delay.
Here’s a closer look at who 247Sports has pegged as the five coaches on the hottest of hot seats entering the 2025 season…
#1. Auburn’s Hugh Freeze
Since taking over the Tigers in 2023, Hugh Freeze has struggled to put Auburn back on winning track. Consecutive losing seasons – 6-7 in 2023 followed by 5-7 in 2024 – have left fans and administration eager for a turnaround. The 2025 season represents a crucial opportunity for Freeze to deliver legitimate results.
#2. LSU’s Brian Kelly
Brian Kelly’s controversial move from Notre Dame to LSU surprised many, especially given the high expectations that come with coaching in Baton Rouge. While the Tigers have consistently ranked in the Top 25, they have yet to seriously challenge for an SEC title or a spot in the College Football Playoff under Kelly’s leadership. The upcoming season will test whether LSU can reach those goals.
#3. Florida State’s Mike Norvell
Mike Norvell’s time with the Seminoles has been marked by highs and lows. A perfect regular season just two years ago showed their potential, but last season’s struggles placed Florida State among the weakest Power 5 teams. The 2025 campaign will be a pivotal chance for Norvell to return the program to elite status.
#4. Arkansas’s Sam Pittman
Since joining Arkansas in 2020, Sam Pittman has led the Razorbacks to three winning seasons. Still, the team has not yet emerged as a contender at the top of the fiercely competitive SEC. Fans are hopeful that 2025 will mark a breakout year under Pittman’s guidance.
#5. Oklahoma’s Brent Venables
Taking over for Lincoln Riley, who departed for USC, Brent Venables stepped into big shoes as head coach of the Sooners. The team has faced challenging schedules, particularly with recent games against SEC opponents. The Oklahoma fan base is eager for Venables to deliver a true title contender and restore the program’s dominance.
As the countdown to kickoff continues, these five coaches will be under the spotlight, with expectations high and patience running thin.
What are your thoughts on the list?
Are there any other coaches who you feel are facing even more pressure than these five???
