College Football 2025: Coaches on the Hot Seat Analysis
As the 2025 college football season creeps closer, several head coaches are feeling the heat. Pressure’s mounting—expectations are high, results have lagged, and some brutal schedules loom. It’s shaping up to be a make-or-break year for plenty of these guys.
Let’s take a look at the FBS coaching landscape. Who’s sweating, and what’s coming for them?
Coaches Under Pressure
Table of Contents
Last year, Power 4 conferences only swapped out six head coaches. This time, though, a lot more turnover seems likely. Plenty of coaches are at a crossroads, and they’ve got to prove themselves or risk getting the boot.
Here are some of the coaches staring down a tough 2025.
Tony Elliott – Virginia
Tony Elliott, who once coached at Clemson, hasn’t found much success at Virginia. He’s posted an 11-23 record overall and just 6-17 in the ACC.
Last season, the Cavaliers went 5-7. They did pull off an upset over then-No. 18 Pitt, but two three-game losing streaks really hurt.
This year’s team looks a bit more talented, and the schedule seems less brutal. If they can grab some early wins—Washington State, Cal, Wake Forest—Elliott might get a little breathing room.
But with a buyout under $5 million, it’s not wild to think Virginia could move on if things don’t improve.
Brent Pry – Virginia Tech
Brent Pry’s run at Virginia Tech hasn’t been easy. He’s 16-21 over three seasons and just 1-12 in one-score games.
Now, he’s working with two new coordinators and has Kyron Drones at quarterback. The Hokies face South Carolina and Miami, but the rest of the schedule isn’t too intimidating.
If they can start closing out close games and reach seven wins, Pry could hang on. But he’s really got to show something soon.
Brent Brennan – Arizona
Brent Brennan’s first year at Arizona was rough—just 4-8. He took over after Jedd Fisch left, and the roster had tons of turnover.
Key players bailed, and Brennan didn’t get hired by the current athletic director, which makes things a bit awkward. Opening games against Hawaii and Weber State should help, but the rest of the schedule is a grind.
Brennan has to show real progress if he wants to stick around.
Coaches in Critical Situations
Some coaches are really on the edge. They need big improvements or they’re out.
Scott Satterfield – Cincinnati
Scott Satterfield’s time at Cincinnati has been bumpy. He’s gone 8-16 overall and just 4-14 in the Big 12.
The administration says they’re behind him, but fans want more. With Brendan Sorsby at QB and a schedule that includes Nebraska, Arizona, and UCF, Satterfield needs to get this team bowl eligible, plain and simple.
Mike Gundy – Oklahoma State
Mike Gundy’s the winningest coach in Oklahoma State history, but last year was a nightmare. The Cowboys finished 3-9 and didn’t win a single Big 12 game.
After some internal drama, Gundy took a pay cut and reworked his contract. This season, they’ve got Oregon, Tulsa, Baylor, Arizona, Houston, and Cincinnati on the slate. Gundy’s got to bounce back in a big way.
Book Your Dream Vacation Today
Flights | Hotels | Vacation Rentals | Rental Cars | Experiences
Sam Pittman – Arkansas
Sam Pittman’s record at Arkansas sits at 30-31 after five seasons. He had a strong second year, but SEC play has been tough since then.
The buyout isn’t huge, so his seat’s a little warmer than he’d like. Pittman faces Memphis, Ole Miss, Notre Dame, and a half-dozen AP Top 25 teams. He needs to get this team to a bowl game to keep his job safe.
Coaches with Lukewarm Seats
Some coaches aren’t quite in crisis, but they can’t get too comfortable either. They’ve shown some promise, but they need to keep it up.
Billy Napier – Florida
Billy Napier started out 11-14 at Florida, but the Gators finished last season at 8-5. DJ Lagway looks like a real talent at quarterback, and the defense up front is fierce.
The schedule’s a beast, though—LSU, Miami, Texas, Texas A&M, Georgia. Napier has to keep things trending up.
Mark Stoops – Kentucky
Mark Stoops is probably the best coach Kentucky’s ever had, but going 4-8 last year stung. His buyout’s massive—nearly $40 million—so he’s not in immediate danger.
Still, Stoops needs to fix the offense and get the fans back on his side.
Brian Kelly – LSU
Brian Kelly came out strong at LSU but slipped a bit last year, finishing 9-4. The Tigers have talent, and expectations are sky-high.
Kelly’s buyout is big, but he’s got to deliver, especially with a tough schedule ahead.
Coaches with Uncertain Futures
A few coaches are in limbo. They need big steps forward to keep their gigs, simple as that.
Brent Venables – Oklahoma
Brent Venables has had a weird run at Oklahoma—two losing seasons, but also a 10-3 year sandwiched in there. The Sooners made some moves, adding OC Ben Arbuckle and a few key transfers.
Games against Michigan, Auburn, and Texas will test them. Venables needs to show he’s got this program going in the right direction.
Trent Dilfer – UAB
Trent Dilfer’s time at UAB has been tough. He went 4-8 his first year, then slipped to 3-9.
The roster’s been overhauled, and the schedule has some winnable games—Alabama State, Navy, Akron, Tennessee, Army. Dilfer needs to start stacking some wins, no way around it.
Sonny Cumbie – Louisiana Tech
Sonny Cumbie’s run at Louisiana Tech hasn’t exactly been smooth. Over two seasons, his record sits at 6-18.
Last year, the Bulldogs managed a bit of progress and finished 5-8. The schedule this year looks pretty favorable, and the conference feels a bit unpredictable.
Cumbie really needs a winning season if he wants to keep his job. It’s a tough spot, and you can’t help but wonder if things will finally click.
For more detailed insights and updates on these coaches and their situations, you can read the full article on the New York Times.