Blog Article
Spotlight on the Top Five – Week 6 Coaches Hot Seat Rankings
Most people have no idea how quickly things can unravel in college football.
One day, you’re the “savior” of a storied program. Next, you’re fielding questions about your buyout clause and watching fans organize billboards calling for your resignation. The difference between job security and unemployment in this business isn’t always talent or even wins—it’s momentum. And right now, these five coaches have none.
Billy Napier is watching Florida become irrelevant in the SEC. Trent Dilfer can’t win a single road game at UAB. Joe Moorhead’s Akron teams lose close games like it’s their full-time job. Butch Jones is in year five at Arkansas State and still can’t crack .500. Sonny Cumbie’s “offensive innovation” at Louisiana Tech has produced nothing but more losses.
The clock is ticking.
Here are the five coaches who better start winning—fast—or they’ll be updating their LinkedIn profiles before Thanksgiving.
1. Billy Napier — Florida (SEC)
Napier’s seat is the hottest in college football.
Florida has a losing overall record (20-22) and an abysmal mark against key rivals (3-11 vs. Miami, Georgia, Tennessee, FSU, LSU). Fan frustration is at an all-time high due to:
- Underperforming teams year after year
- Poor offensive play that fails to capitalize on elite recruiting
- Frequent penalties that cost games
- Repeated blown opportunities in winnable contests
Administrative support is eroding as the Gators appear to be treading water in a league that demands immediate improvement.
2. Trent Dilfer — UAB (American)
Dilfer is 7-17 at UAB, with no road wins.
The fanbase is turning on both his leadership and the athletic department for the controversial hire. Performance has declined since his arrival, and the program’s competitiveness has suffered a sharp decline. The buyout remains a hurdle, but a lack of progress or response has the pressure rising each week.
3. Joe Moorhead — Akron (MAC)
Moorhead’s Zips are just 8-28 over three years.
Akron is showing incremental stat gains but not translating that into wins. The key issues:
- Frequent close losses
- Faltering in one-score games
- A lack of true program momentum
The expectation is wins now, not merely competitiveness.
Patience is nearly gone.
4. Butch Jones — Arkansas State (Sun Belt)
Now in his fifth year, Jones cannot get the Red Wolves out of the bottom of the Sun Belt.
With a cumulative record of 19-31, hopes of turning around the program have largely faded. The administration is expected to take action if meaningful improvement isn’t demonstrated—that means a winning season is likely a must.
5. Sonny Cumbie — Louisiana Tech (C-USA)
Cumbie owns a 13-27 mark and has failed to show substantial progress in Ruston.
Offensive innovation has not yielded meaningful results, and buyout considerations are now being outweighed by growing donor and fan restlessness.
The next losing streak or lack of tangible on-field progress could be his last.
The Bottom Line: Win Now, Or Pack Your Office
These five coaches have no excuses.
No more “building for the future.” No more “we’re close.” No more moral victories. College football is a results business, and right now, these programs are getting zero return on their investment. Billy Napier can’t beat Florida’s rivals. Trent Dilfer can’t win on the road. Joe Moorhead can’t close games. Butch Jones can’t break .500. And Sonny Cumbie’s offense isn’t innovating anything except new ways to lose.
Want the full story? This is just the tip of the iceberg.
Every Tuesday during football season, we rank all 136 FBS coaches—and newsletter subscribers get an exclusive, deeper dive into the top 10 (this week, we threw in a bonus #11). That means inside intel on buyout clauses, potential replacements, and which athletic directors are already making phone calls behind closed doors. Subscribe to stay ahead of the chaos before it hits ESPN.
