The 2024 college football season was full of underachievement. Whether due to recruiting misses, portal misfires, or poor game-day execution, several major programs fell far short of expectations. And in a sport where patience is in short supply, the coaching carousel is already turning.
Here are five head coaches whose seats are heating up fast as we look ahead to the 2025 campaign.
Mike Norvell, Florida State
Mike Norvell enters 2025 with the most pressure of any coach in America. After leading Florida State to a 13–0 season in 2023, only to be left out of the College Football Playoff, expectations were sky high. But rather than using that snub as fuel, the Seminoles fell apart, finishing 2–10 in what was one of the biggest collapses in recent memory.
Portal management, player development, and recruiting have all been called into question. And while the causes may be debated, the accountability falls squarely on Norvell. With Tommy Castellanos likely to start at quarterback and freshman Kevin Sperry waiting in the wings, Norvell has no room for error. If Florida State is not back in the top 25 by November, he may not survive the season.
Brent Venables, Oklahoma
Brent Venables has had a rocky run in Norman, and last year’s 6–7 finish did not help. The Sooners went just 2–6 in SEC play and looked overmatched for long stretches. The frustration around the program has only grown, and Venables enters 2025 knowing that a losing season will likely be his last.
To his credit, he is trying to turn things around quickly. Oklahoma brought in Washington State transfer John Mateer to take over at quarterback and hired Ben Arbuckle as offensive coordinator. With a healthy receiver room and a solid defense, there is hope. But in the SEC, hope only gets you so far. The Sooners need at least nine wins and a major bowl appearance to quiet the noise. Anything short of that, and a change feels inevitable.
Lincoln Riley, USC
Lincoln Riley was once considered one of the brightest minds in college football. But after three underwhelming seasons at USC, his seat is warmer than anyone expected. Since joining the Big Ten, the Trojans have struggled to adjust to a more physical brand of football. Their offensive line has been overwhelmed, and recruiting momentum has stalled.
Riley deserves some of the blame, but USC’s move to the Big Ten has not helped. The program was built on speed and flash, but that does not cut it against the power-heavy defenses of the Midwest. Unless Riley dramatically changes how he builds his roster, it is hard to see USC getting back to national relevance anytime soon. And if they cannot do that, a new coach may be the next move.
Luke Fickell, Wisconsin
Wisconsin missed a bowl game in 2024, finishing 5–7 and falling well below expectations. Luke Fickell was supposed to bring the Badgers into a new era, but so far, the results have not followed. Oddly, Wisconsin extended Fickell through 2032, but fan confidence is low.
The offense looks uninspired, the recruiting class is average, and sportsbooks have set the over-under for wins at 5.5. Even with a strong offensive line and a new quarterback in Maryland transfer Billy Edwards Jr., the schedule is brutal. Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan, and Oregon are all on deck. If Wisconsin wins fewer than six games again, even a long-term contract may not be enough to protect Fickell.
Trent Dilfer, UAB
Trent Dilfer was a surprising hire when he joined UAB, and the results have not been pretty. After going 7–17 over his first two seasons, the former NFL quarterback has taken a once-steady program and steered it off course. UAB had not posted a losing season since 2013, but they are now staring at a major rebuild.
Dilfer’s temperament has been questioned, his sideline demeanor criticized, and his salary has become a burden for a program that cannot afford dead weight. Throw in a few awkward press conference moments, and it feels like he is on borrowed time. If UAB does not turn things around quickly, Dilfer will be out by season’s end.
Final Thoughts
These five coaches enter 2025 with everything on the line. Some are in power conferences with big expectations. Others are leading smaller programs trying to avoid total collapse. But in each case, one thing is clear: this season is do or die.
Enjoyed this article? Follow us for more!
📸 Instagram: @EnterSandmanSports
📘 Facebook: @EnterSandmanSports
🐦 X (Twitter): @EnterSandmanSports
📺 YouTube: @EnterSandmanSports
🎵 TikTok: @EnterSandmanSports
📨 Join our newsletter for weekly updates and picks!
