Countdown to Chaos: Which 6 College Football Coaches Face Career-Defining Pressure in 2025?

As the college football season looms ever closer, one can’t help but wonder—will this be the year some coaches finally escape the hot seat, or will the flames only grow hotter? Pressure’s mounting for a handful of SEC and Big Ten head coaches, each wrestling with programs that desperately need a turnaround in 2025. Maura Carey of the Associated Press has pinpointed six coaches whose job security teeters on the edge: Brent Venables, Hugh Freeze, Sam Pittman, Billy Napier, Luke Fickell, and Lincoln Riley. These leaders face not just critics and tough schedules, but the daunting shadow of past seasons that haven’t quite lived up to expectations. It’s a high-stakes game off the field as much as on it—where a few bad losses could pitch these programs into a whirlwind of change. Curiously, some may even be looking toward a future in the NFL, adding another twist to the drama unfolding amid college gridiron rivalries. Want to dive deeper into who’s on the brink and why? LEARN MORE.

5 College Football Coaches Who Could Eventually Leave For The NFL (1:51)

With the college football season approaching, pressure is mounting for some coaches to reverse their program’s fortunes in 2025.

Maura Carey of the Associated Press identified six head coaches entering the season on the hot seat. It shouldn’t be too surprising that they’re all struggling to maintain footing in the SEC and Big Ten.

Carey highlighted Brent Venables, Hugh Freeze, Sam Pittman, Billy Napier, Luke Fickell and Lincoln Riley as coaches whose job security could be in jeopardy if they stumble this season. She also included Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer, Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy and Florida State’s Mike Norvell as high-profile honorable mentions.

Carey wrote that Venables “could use a standout year” after Oklahoma went 6-7 with a 2-6 conference record in its SEC initiation. The Sooners are 23-17 with no bowl wins in Venables’ three seasons.

Auburn has suffered seven losses in each of Freeze’s two seasons at the helm. The Tigers could seek another change if they don’t post their first winning record since 2019.

“Recruiting efforts have been admirable, but in-game decisions in high-pressure moments have raised concerns,” Carey wrote. “Auburn hasn’t hesitated to part ways with coaches in recent years, and Freeze could be next on the chopping block if he doesn’t produce fast results.”

Nov 30, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Carey said the Arkansas Razorbacks “look like a mostly middling program” under Pittman, who’s 30-31 through five seasons following a 7-6 campaign. They’ve finished just one of the last 13 years nationally ranked, and a difficult schedule could pose more problems in Fayetteville.

Florida improved to 8-5 in Napier’s third season, but Carey wondered if that incremental progress would appease a prestigious program. Early games against LSU, Miami and Texas may sway Napier’s standing.

Carey called Wisconsin an “afterthought” in the Big Ten after going 5-7 in Fickell’s second season. The Badgers will play Michigan, Alabama, Ohio State and Oregon in a schedule that will test the former Cincinnati head coach.

Finally, Riley’s stock has cratered after following a late 2023 collapse with a pedestrian 7-6 season. The offensive guru needs quarterback Jayden Maiava to reignite the Trojans offense, but Riley’s seat may catch fire if they falter against Michigan and Notre Dame in October.