Blog Article
Week 9 — Top 10 Coaches Hot Seat Rankings
1. Mike Norvell, Florida State (ACC)
Mike Norvell’s seat went from warm to “legit fire hot” after losing to Stanford 20-13 as a 17.5-point favorite.
The fourth straight loss. The fourth time Norvell’s had a four-game losing streak in Tallahassee. Florida State is 5-14 since the start of 2024, and sources say players were cracking jokes in the locker room about having to “respond” yet again—Norvell’s common phrase as losses mount. FSU went all-in with the portal, signing 23 transfers and spending well into the $20 million range on this roster between revenue share and NIL. The $55 million buyout—second-largest in college football history—no longer seems like a roadblock to many around the program.
Athletic director Michael Alford gave Norvell a dreaded vote of confidence, but boosters spent the flight from Palo Alto commiserating and planning.
2. Hugh Freeze, Auburn (SEC)
Hugh Freeze is under intense scrutiny after back-to-back losing seasons and a poor start in SEC play.
The Tigers risk another winless SEC campaign. Freeze’s buyout is considered manageable by Auburn standards, meaning a failure to show tangible improvement could result in his dismissal—especially with expectations unmet following his high-profile hiring from Liberty. Rumors and speculation about his future are fueling pressure across the program.
Sources tell Coaches Hot Seat that Freeze will most likely remain the head coach at Auburn through the remainder of the 2025 season.
3. Bill Belichick, North Carolina (ACC)
Bill Belichick’s debut season at North Carolina has been disastrous.
The Tar Heels are 2-4, struggling defensively and offensively in every Power Four matchup, and were recently embarrassed against California—where both Cal fans and the stadium scoreboard mercilessly trolled Belichick and girlfriend Jordon Hudson throughout the game. Athletic director Bubba Cunningham gave Belichick a “vote of confidence” despite it being well-known he did not want to hire him. Rumors already swirl about the school exploring options to move on from the legendary NFL coach.
Both the scheme and talent are failing to meet ACC standards.
4. Jeff Choate, Nevada (Mountain West)
Jeff Choate enters his second season needing rapid improvement after a brutal 3-10 debut and an 0-7 Mountain West mark.
He inherited a historically bad stretch for Nevada. But the Wolf Pack’s ongoing execution errors, penalty problems, and lack of visible player development mean that the administration and fans demand not just “process” but immediate results.
Patience is running out for anything short of a significant turnaround.
5. Joe Moorhead, Akron (MAC)
Despite incremental statistical improvement, Joe Moorhead’s 10-34 record in three years overshadows any progress at Akron.
Expectations are now for actual wins, not just competitive efforts. Last season’s upgraded defense regressed offensively, and major roster overhauls have yet to translate into results—Akron lost 42-28 to Ball State last Saturday. Frustration mounts among stakeholders tired of moral victories.
This is a do-or-die 2025 for Moorhead.
6. Luke Fickell, Wisconsin (Big Ten)
Luke Fickell’s tenure has soured dramatically after a string of shutout losses, leaving Wisconsin at 2-5 with its worst Power Four losing streak in decades.
The Badgers’ complete lack of offensive progress and recent blowouts, combined with a tough schedule, have ramped up calls for change. Fickell’s once-impressive resume is doing little to quell dissatisfaction in Madison.
However, sources at Wisconsin tell Coaches Hot Seat that the consensus in Madison is to bring Fickell back next season while increasing NIL investments and the use of the portal.
7. Butch Jones, Arkansas State (Sun Belt)
Butch Jones is again in hot seat territory after showing little progress during his time at Arkansas State, despite a small bright spot last year.
The 2025 season has started with poor results—zero FBS wins as of October—and his contract situation means the school could feasibly move on if the win-loss pattern doesn’t change. Arkansas State scraped by South Alabama 15-14 in their last game.
Growing fan impatience means Jones is running out of time.
8. Justin Wilcox, California (ACC)
Justin Wilcox faced major pressure after years of mediocrity as Cal struggled to transition into the ACC.
While flashes of improvement appeared early in 2025, his seat remains warm due to lack of signature wins and questions about long-term program direction. Cal beat North Carolina 21-18 last game—knocking off Bill Belichick—but nearly lost in a sloppy contest. With an expensive buyout but little recent success, Wilcox must keep showing progress.
Otherwise, fan unrest and alumni demands for a fresh direction will intensify.
9. Sonny Cumbie, Louisiana Tech (C-USA)
Sonny Cumbie’s program has stagnated with three straight losing seasons and an 15-28 overall record, keeping him near the top of Group of Five hot seat lists.
Once regarded as an offensive innovator, Cumbie’s tenure has been marked by unmet expectations and a fanbase tired of perpetual underachievement. Cumbie started the season at #1 on the Hot Seat rankings—his team has won some games this year, but the weak spot remains the offense, Cumbie’s specialty.
His job status is week-to-week barring drastic change.
10. Derek Mason, Middle Tennessee (C-USA)
Derek Mason is only in his second year, but a bleak 4-14 record and lack of progress following a 3-9 debut has rapidly sapped any initial optimism about his hire.
The Blue Raiders’ ongoing struggles and the absence of visible improvement—especially after a supposed “stabilizing” hire—have quickly landed Mason on national watch lists.
The program is evaluating his future as wins remain elusive.
