By Mark Pszonak
With the likelihood that additional head coaching changes will happen it is time to take a look at who is on the hotseat heading into the 2025 season. While some of these coaches survived the unemployment line during this cycle, it doesn’t mean that their status is secure:
1. Mike Gundy – Oklahoma State
Gundy may have been the closest to getting fired after the 2024 season. It was so close that there were already stories online that he actually had been fired. But he managed to rebound, took a pay cut and will be back in Stillwater for his 21st season. 2024 was the first year that the Cowboys missed a bowl since 2005, which was Gundy’s first season in Stillwater. But another bad season will likely mean the end of his time at Oklahoma State.
2. Brent Venables – Oklahoma
In three seasons, Venables has compiled a 22-17 record in Norman, including two 6-7 finishes. The Sooners first season in the SEC was also a disappointment, as they finished 2-6. The late season victory against Alabama gained him some favor, but that will quickly be forgotten if the 2025 season starts poorly. Venables future will likely depend on how quickly new transfer quarterback John Mateer and new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle adjust to life in the SEC.
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3. Brent Pry – Virginia Tech
Many people (including myself) thought that Virginia Tech had the potential to be a darkhorse candidate to make the first expanded playoffs. Instead, the Hokies finished 6-7 and lost to Minnesota in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. Patience will wear extremely thin with Pry if Virginia Tech hovers around .500 yet again.
4. Mark Stoops – Kentucky
Stoops turned Kentucky into an annual winner, which isn’t an easy task, but a 4-8 season has the fanbase unsettled. He deserves more time due to what he has done for the program, but that does not mean he will receive it if the Wildcats slip down to the bottom of the SEC again.
5. Luke Fickell – Wisconsin
Fickell took over one of the more consistent and stable winning programs in the country and has gone 12-13 over the last two seasons. This includes a 2024 season that saw the Badgers miss a bowl for the first time since 2001. This lack of production will quickly get you on the hotseat in Madison.
6. Sam Pittman – Arkansas
Pittman was on the hotseat entering the 2024 season, but a 7-6 record, pulling off one of the biggest upsets of the season with a victory against Tennessee and then a bowl win saved his job. Would another 7-6 season be enough to save his job again? Probably not.
7. Lincoln Riley – USC
With approximately $88M remaining on his contract, there was little realistic chance that Riley would have been fired during this off-season. With that amount only dropping by about $10M after the 2025 season, it is still unlikely that he will be fired. But if he doesn’t improve on his 13-11 record over the last two seasons, Trojans’ faithful will become even more restless.
8. Brian Kelly – LSU
Kelly has gone 29-11 in three seasons with the Tigers, which would make many fanbases happy, but that isn’t necessarily the case in Baton Rouge. Since his arrival prior to the 2022 season, many have seen him as an outsider in the SEC. That has yet to change, and unless the Tigers start competing for SEC titles, it may play a part in his exit.
9. Mike Norvell – Florida State
A year after returning Florida State to national prominence, the Seminoles had a historically embarrassing 2-10 season in 2024. Norvell restructured his contract recently which helps his situation, but he desperately needs a rebound season in 2025 to keep himself on firm ground.
10. Hugh Freeze – Auburn
Freeze arrived at Auburn with plenty of fanfare, but in two seasons he has only been able to accumulate an 11-14 record. Losses to New Mexico State and Cal haven’t helped his issue, along with what same fans believe was a complete misevaluation of the quarterback room last season. Improvement needs to be seen in 2025 or Freeze’s time in Auburn may turn out to be much shorter than expected.
