As the 2025 college football season looms, several head coaches are under intense scrutiny due to underwhelming performances, lofty program expectations, and restless fan bases. With athletic directors increasingly willing to absorb hefty buyouts, these coaches face a critical year to prove their worth. Below are the top 10 college football coaches on the hot seat for 2025, based on their recent records and the pressure they’re facing.
1. Mike Norvell, Florida State Seminoles, Record at FSU: 33-22 (through 2024)
Why He’s on the Hot Seat: Mike Norvell’s time at Florida State has been a wild ride. After a 13-1 season and an ACC Championship in 2023, the Seminoles plummeted to a shocking 2-10 in 2024, marking one of the worst year-to-year drops in recent memory. The season kicked off with a loss to Georgia Tech in Dublin, Ireland, and FSU failed to score 20 points against any FBS opponent. Despite a $65 million buyout, Norvell’s failure to maintain momentum has fans and boosters restless. Another poor season, especially missing a bowl game, could end his tenure. What He Needs: At least 7-8 wins and a bowl appearance to calm the critics.
2. Hugh Freeze, Auburn Tigers, Record at Auburn: 11-14 (through 2024)
Why He’s on the Hot Seat: Auburn’s boosters are known for paying massive buyouts, and Hugh Freeze is pushing their limits. With an 0-2 record in the Iron Bowl and a 5-11 SEC mark, Freeze hasn’t lived up to expectations. Despite a top-five recruiting class for 2025, his 444.5 yards per game haven’t translated into wins, and his public criticism of players after losses hasn’t helped. A third consecutive losing season could prompt Auburn to look elsewhere. What He Needs: A bowl game and a competitive SEC performance.
3. Lincoln Riley, USC Trojans, Record at USC: 26-14 (through 2024)
Why He’s on the Hot Seat: Hired for $110 million to bring championships, Lincoln Riley has instead overseen a decline at USC: 11-3 in 2022, 8-5 in 2023, and 7-6 in 2024. The Trojans’ Big Ten transition exposed defensive weaknesses, and Riley’s failure to contend for a conference title has frustrated fans. With an $80 million buyout, USC may hesitate, but a soft 2025 schedule (starting with Missouri State, Georgia Southern, and Purdue) leaves no room for excuses. Missing the College Football Playoff (CFP) could spell trouble. What He Needs: 9-10 wins and a CFP berth.
4. Brent Venables, Oklahoma Sooners, Record at OU: 22-17 (through 2024)
Why He’s on the Hot Seat: Following Lincoln Riley at Oklahoma was always going to be tough, but Venables’ 56.4% win percentage falls far short of the program’s historic 80%+ standard. The Sooners went 6-6 in their 2024 SEC debut, highlighted by an upset over Alabama but tarnished by a loss to Navy in the Armed Forces Bowl. Venables is taking over defensive play-calling in 2025, and with transfer quarterback John Mateer leading the offense, expectations are high. Texas’ SEC success only adds pressure. What He Needs: At least 8 wins and a strong SEC showing.
5. Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State Cowboys, Record at OSU: 166-79 (through 2024)
Why He’s on the Hot Seat: One of the longest-tenured FBS coaches, Gundy took a pay cut after Oklahoma State’s disastrous 3-9 season in 2024, which included an 0-9 Big 12 record and a 52-0 loss to Colorado. Once a Big 12 contender, the Cowboys missed a bowl game for the first time in 18 years. His reduced $15 million buyout makes a change feasible, and another poor season could end his long tenure. What He Needs: A bowl game and at least 6-7 wins.
6. Luke Fickell, Wisconsin Badgers, Record at Wisconsin: 12-13 (through 2024)
Why He’s on the Hot Seat: Wisconsin’s expectations remain high after firing Paul Chryst, who won 10+ games in four of six full seasons. Fickell’s 7-6 and 5-7 records, including a bowl-less 2024 (the first in 22 years), have raised concerns. A brutal 2025 schedule—featuring Alabama, Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, Indiana, and Washington—puts Fickell in a tough spot. Despite transfer portal additions, the Badgers need offensive improvement to avoid another mediocre year. What He Needs: 8+ wins and a bowl game.
7. Mike Locksley, Maryland Terrapins, Record at Maryland: 36-40 (through 2024)
Why He’s on the Hot Seat: Locksley’s back-to-back 8-win seasons in 2021-22 raised hopes, but a 4-8 record in 2024, with just one Big Ten win, has turned up the heat. Maryland’s tough Big Ten schedule and lack of a breakthrough season in seven years have frustrated fans. Another losing season could force a change. What He Needs: A return to 7-8 wins and a bowl game.
8. Brent Pry, Virginia Tech Hokies, Record at VT: 14-22 (through 2024)
Why He’s on the Hot Seat: Virginia Tech’s 7-6 records in 2023 and 2024 show progress under Pry, but the program hasn’t returned to its former glory. With a manageable $5.825 million buyout, a lackluster 2025 could lead to his exit. Pry needs to leverage the Hokies’ talent and a favorable ACC schedule to secure his job. What He Needs: 8-9 wins and a strong ACC showing.
9. Dave Aranda, Baylor Bears, Record at Baylor: 25-29 (through 2024)
Why He’s on the Hot Seat: Aranda’s 12-2 season in 2021 feels distant after an 11-20 record over the last two years, including a 2-4 start in 2024. Baylor’s patience last offseason may not extend to another subpar year. Aranda’s defensive expertise hasn’t translated to consistent recruiting or success, and a favorable late-season schedule in 2025 offers no excuses. What He Needs: 7-8 wins and a bowl game.
10. Scott Satterfield, Cincinnati Bearcats, Record at Cincinnati: 6-17 (through 2024)
Why He’s on the Hot Seat: Satterfield’s 3-9 record in 2024, including a 1-8 Big 12 mark, has cast doubt on his Power 4 fit. His 20-28 record over four seasons (including Louisville) pales compared to his 29-9 run at Appalachian State, suggesting he may be better suited as a coordinator. Cincinnati’s lack of transfer portal success adds to the challenge. What He Needs: A significant improvement to 6-7 wins.
Honorable Mentions
- Sam Pittman, Arkansas Razorbacks: Pittman’s 6-7 season and Liberty Bowl win in 2024 bought him time, but another underwhelming year could reignite pressure.
- Tony Elliott, Virginia Cavaliers: A 3-9 record in 2024 has Elliott on thin ice, with fan frustration growing.
- Stan Drayton, Temple Owls: Consecutive 3-9 seasons at a tough job put Drayton at risk.
The 2025 college football season will be a defining moment for these coaches. With the expanded 12-team CFP raising the stakes and buyouts no longer deterring athletic directors, the coaching carousel could be active by December. Programs like Florida State, Auburn, and USC face pivotal seasons, while others like Oklahoma State and Wisconsin need to regain consistency. For these 10 coaches, only results will cool their hot seats.
