For those keeping a keen eye on the college football coaching landscape, it’s clear that consistent turnover is the norm.
Following a relatively quiet 2024—with the notable exception of Bill Belichick’s surprising move to North Carolina—2025 is shaping up to be far more dynamic. The early weeks have already signaled potential upheaval, with concerns rising in key programs in Gainesville, Florida, and Stillwater, Oklahoma, among others.
Particular coaching roles face more immediacy than others, notably Mike Gundy of Oklahoma State, who narrowly retained his position last season and just faced a staggering defeat (69-3 against Oregon). Virginia Tech’s Brent Pry began 2025 with expectations to win now but has started the season at 0-2. Meanwhile, Florida’s Billy Napier, who initially secured his role after a strong finish last year, now finds himself vulnerable after a disappointing home loss to South Florida.
At this early juncture, it’s crucial to distinguish between perceptions and the actual situations at play. Speculation about Kalen DeBoer’s future at Alabama may be hasty, especially given a significant buyout and the challenging task of succeeding Nick Saban. While second-year coaches like UCLA’s DeShaun Foster may face scrutiny, more time is needed to assess their outcomes.
Our team is diving into the coaching positions under the most pressure after just two weeks of the 2025 season, evaluating who might mitigate their situations and who may soon face significant opportunities within the Power 4 landscape. —Adam Rittenberg
Which early-season challenges have intensified the heat?
Andrea Adelson: Florida’s Billy Napier seemed secure as the season started, especially after reaffirmation from the university last November and a four-game winning streak to conclude 2024. With talents like DJ Lagway returning, Napier expressed confidence in July, stating the team was evolving from selling hope to demonstrating success. However, familiar issues resurfaced in a narrow 18-16 defeat to South Florida, including undisciplined plays and poor game management. Lagway’s discomfort was palpable, and now Napier finds himself back in jeopardy; Florida is not expected to lose to a non-Power 4 team, especially from within the state. An intensive schedule looms, featuring back-to-back road games against LSU and Miami, followed by encounters with other nationally ranked teams, including Texas, Texas A&M, Georgia, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and Florida State.
Rittenberg: Napier’s predicament stands out due to the daunting challenges ahead for his team and the perception that he had begun to resolve previous issues. To stabilize his situation, he may need to achieve a couple of major upsets. While anticipated Power 4 coaching vacancies are likely to increase, Florida could be among the most significant, potentially reshaping dynamics within the SEC or Big Ten.
Gundy hopes for a turnaround, as Oklahoma State has historically rebounded when expectations are lower. However, their recent performance against Oregon raises concerns, notably with a missing quarterback. Next week’s game against Tulsa could be critical as they approach four straight home games. Without visible improvement, a coaching change may be in the cards.
Adelson: Virginia Tech’s Brent Pry entered the season with high hopes after a disappointing 2024. Despite staff changes and roster revamps, the Hokies faltered again, blowing a significant halftime lead against Vanderbilt. Now at 0-2 for the second time in three seasons, Pry’s record stands at 16-23 since his hiring.
Who else might be at risk?
Rittenberg: Similar to Napier, DeBoer at Alabama is grappling with ongoing concerns over losses to unranked opponents. Despite looming challenges against Georgia, potential upsets could prove crucial for stabilizing his tenure.
I’m also keeping an eye on the Big Ten, particularly the performance of UCLA’s Foster and Northwestern’s Braun leading up to their matchup on September 27. UCLA’s season hasn’t begun well amid high expectations surrounding quarterback Nico Iamaleava. Northwestern faced a rough start with a loss to Tulane, increasing expectations for Braun to rectify their offensive shortcomings before the new Ryan Field opens in 2026. Wisconsin is another program to watch, facing a daunting schedule ahead for coach Luke Fickell.
Which coaches have alleviated pressure?
Mark Schlabach: Despite being just two weeks into the season, both Auburn’s Hugh Freeze and Arkansas’ Sam Pittman seem to have their teams on the right path. Auburn secured a convincing 38-24 win against Baylor followed by a 42-3 triumph over Ball State. While quarterback Jackson Arnold has demonstrated his skills, the Tigers will need an improved passing game as they enter tougher matchups against ranked SEC teams in the coming weeks.
Arkansas’s quarterback Taylen Green has shone early in the season, leading the offense effectively. In last week’s game against Arkansas State, he shined with 151 rushing yards and 269 passing yards. However, the upcoming schedule is daunting, as Arkansas faces a series of ranked opponents.
Baylor’s Coach Dave Aranda is also noteworthy after his team’s recent comeback victory over SMU. Meanwhile, Oklahoma’s Brent Venables is worth a glance, as his team recently outperformed Michigan, though he faces pressure to produce this season due to an ongoing transition in their athletic department.
What if Florida changes coaches?
Max Olson: If Florida initiates a coaching change, retaining quarterback Lagway will be a significant factor. His loyalty to Napier could influence other players’ decisions as well, and speculation about his future would escalate immediately following any such change. With notable interest from Texas A&M and a familial connection to Baylor, Lagway’s commitment to the Gators could be uncertain if a new coach is introduced, making it challenging for the new staff to maintain the roster’s integrity.
Eli Lederman: Similar dynamics could affect Florida’s 2026 recruiting class, currently ranked 11th. Five-star defensive end JaReylan McCoy is among the standouts and would likely draw significant interest from other programs, as would other commitments such as four-star rusher Davian Groce. If a coaching change occurs, other top recruits might reconsider their commitments, including quarterback Will Griffin, a legacy prospect.
Coaching candidates to watch
Schlabach: In the event of a coaching change at Florida, it would undoubtedly draw interest from various high-profile candidates due to the program’s storied history and recruiting opportunities. Scott Stricklin, the Florida AD, is under pressure to make this hire successfully. Notably, Lane Kiffin, currently at Ole Miss with a solid record after six seasons, is a prime candidate due to his quarterback expertise and recruitment acumen.
Jedd Fisch from Washington could be an intriguing prospect, especially considering his background as a Florida graduate assistant. Despite a challenging start, he led Arizona to significant improvements and might attract attention.
Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz has steadily improved his program, earning recognition after a successful 2023 season. His familiarity with the SEC landscape positions him well.
Additionally, South Florida’s Alex Golesh, Kansas’ Lance Leipold, and Georgia’s Glenn Schumann are also rising candidates to monitor.
Rittenberg: Both Kiffin and Drinkwitz are favorable options within the SEC, known for their high-octane offensive strategies. Moreover, could James Franklin be in the mix? Depending on how a pivotal 2025 unfolds, he could seek new adventures after leading Penn State for over a decade, a transition that might appeal to him given ties to Florida. Should South Florida’s Golesh continue his success, he would likely emerge as a high-profile candidate, especially given his recruiting strength in Florida.
Tulane’s Jon Sumrall is another name to consider from outside the Power 4 realm. His track record suggests he would transition into a prominent SEC program soon, particularly given his Alabama roots and experience.
Keep an eye on Memphis’ Ryan Silverfield, as he has established a successful independent path that might land him in discussions for higher-profile openings due to his NFL tie-ins and current success.
Additionally, Leipold presents an enticing choice; if he decides to leave Kansas, one could foresee him returning to the Big Ten, where he has deep-rooted connections.
Finally, Dan Mullen’s early success at UNLV, including a recent impressive win against UCLA, could place him back in the conversation for high-level coaching roles as he reintegrates into the college football landscape.