Men’s College Basketball Coaches Facing Uncertain Futures in 2026

College basketball coaching jobs are about as stable as a house of cards in a breeze. One year, you’re a hero; the next, you’re fighting for your job. Even the most respected coaches can end up on the hot seat. This piece takes a look at several high-major coaches whose futures feel pretty shaky right now. From buyouts to disappointing seasons, there’s a lot at stake for these programs. For the full article, you can check it out here.

ACC Coaches Under Fire

Trying to follow a legend is brutal, and some ACC coaches are finding out just how tough it can be. Let’s look at who’s sweating the most right now.

Adrian Autry – Syracuse

Adrian Autry took over for Jim Boeheim at Syracuse, which was always going to be a tall order. So far, it’s been rough. He’s 47-42 overall and 22-29 in the ACC, and Syracuse hasn’t sniffed the NCAA Tournament. Benching Kiyan Anthony, son of Carmelo Anthony, didn’t help his popularity. Unless things change fast, it’s hard to see how Autry keeps this job.

Jeff Capel – Pittsburgh

Jeff Capel got a contract extension in 2024, but results haven’t followed. He’s 26-31 overall and just 10-22 in the ACC. That’s put Pitt on track to miss the NCAA Tournament for the seventh time in eight seasons. Money issues make it tough for Pitt to move on, but Capel’s seat is scorching.

Steve Forbes – Wake Forest

Steve Forbes has a knack for finding transfers, but Wake Forest still can’t get over the hump. No NCAA Tournament appearances so far. He’s done decently with limited resources, but unless Wake takes a big step forward, Forbes might be out.

Big East Coaches in Trouble

The Big East is dealing with its own headaches. Some big names just aren’t delivering.

Ed Cooley – Georgetown

Ed Cooley left Providence for Georgetown, hoping for a fresh start. Instead, he’s 40-50 over three seasons and still hasn’t made the NCAA Tournament. He’s brought in talent, but the big turnaround hasn’t happened.

Kim English – Providence

Kim English had a strong debut season, but the last two have been rough. He’s 23-33 in that stretch. Providence owes him a lot if they fire him, but morale is low and the future feels murky.

Big Ten Coaches Feeling the Pressure

The Big Ten’s a meat grinder, and some coaches are struggling to keep up.

Jon Diebler – Ohio State

Jon Diebler did well as interim and landed the Ohio State job, but it’s been a mixed bag since. He’s 32-23 and the Buckeyes are on the tournament bubble. If he can’t get them in, his buyout isn’t huge, so a change could happen.

Steve Pikiell – Rutgers

Steve Pikiell took Rutgers to the NCAA Tournament in 2021 and 2022, but it’s been downhill since. Last year, they went 15-17, and this season isn’t looking much better. His buyout is big, so Rutgers might stick with him for now.

Big 12 Coaches on the Brink

The Big 12 is a pressure cooker, and a few coaches are feeling it hard.

Bobby Hurley – Arizona State

Bobby Hurley admits his message isn’t landing with his team. Three losing seasons in a row have pushed him to the edge at Arizona State. Unless he pulls off something wild in the Big 12 tournament, it’s probably over.

Wes Miller – Cincinnati

Wes Miller hasn’t made the NCAA Tournament at Cincinnati, even though he’s had the resources. His buyout drops after April 1, so the Bearcats will likely wait before making a move. That delay could hurt their chances with top coaching candidates.

SEC Coaches Under Scrutiny

The SEC doesn’t mess around. Coaches who don’t win quickly feel the heat.

Will McMahon – LSU

Will McMahon started strong at LSU, but things went south fast. The Tigers slipped off the tournament radar. He’s 59-53 overall, but just 16-49 in SEC play. LSU has spent big on buyouts before, so don’t rule out another coaching change.

Porter Moser – Oklahoma

Porter Moser’s time at Oklahoma has been up and down. He won 20 games two years in a row, but this season’s been ugly. His buyout is hefty, but most people around the sport expect a change soon.

Other Notable Coaches on the Hot Seat

It’s not just the power conferences—other programs have coaches in limbo too.

Anthony Grant – Dayton

Anthony Grant’s run at Dayton has had its moments. He led the Flyers to a No. 1 seed in 2020, but that tournament was canceled. In six full seasons, he’s only made one other tournament. Retirement rumors are swirling, and if Dayton misses out again, this could be it for Grant.