The college football season is approaching quickly. While there are coaches who have some stability, there are others with some pressure heading into the 2024 season. Here are the college football coaches on the hot seat for 2024.
College Football Coaches on the Hot Seat
ACC
Virginia: Tony Elliott
Elliott took over a program that needed a turnaround, but it hasn’t happened yet. He enters year three, having won just six games total. Improvements will need to be made so that Elliott can feel secure in his job. They have 13 returning starters, but their over/under win total is set at 4.5. If they fail to win six games, Elliott may be out.
Big Ten
N/A
Big 12
Baylor: Dave Aranda
Aranda had a tough job when he took the gig at Baylor. He had one down season, but then won 12 games in his second season. There has been some regression since, as the Bears won six games in 2022 and then three in 2023. They have an over/under win total of 5.5 and if he doesn’t go over and make a bowl game, Baylor may elect to make a change.
BYU: Kalani Sitake
Last season, Sitake had his second losing season in eight years at BYU. He has a solid overall record at 61-41, but another losing season could end his tenure at the Cougars. They have just 10 starters returning and their schedule is much tougher this season, as they only dodge Iowa State among the top contenders in the Big 12.
SEC
Arkansas: Sam Pittman
After turning things around in year two of his tenure by going 9-3, things have fallen off at Arkansas. Pittman won seven games in 2022 and then just four last season. An out of conference game against Oklahoma State and a tougher SEC schedule make things look bleak. Pittman will be hoping new offensive coordinator, former Arkansas head coach, Bobby Petrino and Boise State transfer at quarterback Taylen Green spark the offense and win more games than projected.
Florida: Billy Napier
Napier did a good job at Louisiana, but his first two seasons at Florida haven’t gone as planned. He won six games in 2022 and five in 2023. A lot of players that Napier recruited have left the program and although there is talent on the roster, it is hard to project a lot of wins this season. Florida has a brutal schedule and Florida is not projected to make a bowl game because of it. No signs of tangible improvement could mark the end of the Napier era at Florida.
Vanderbilt: Clark Lea
Vanderbilt is a tough job and Lea has struggled to turn things around. He is 9-27 over his three seasons in charge. He has two two-win seasons and a five-win season in the middle of them. Only nine starters return and a tough SEC schedule means going .500 would be an incredible feat. Vanderbilt may want to try another coach at the end of the season.
Group of Five
Akron: Joe Moorhead
Moorehead has won just four games in two seasons at Akron. The offensive-minded coach is projected to finish near the bottom of the MAC. If that happens Akron could move on.
Ball State: Mike Neu
Over eight seasons at Ball State, Neu has posted a record of 37-56. The Cardinals have had a losing record in each of the last two seasons. Another losing season could make his seat get hot.
East Carolina: Mike Houston
After a few subpar seasons to start his time at ECU, Houston helped the Pirates win seven then eight games in 2022 and 2023. Things fell off last season, as the Pirates won just two games. If that happens again, Houston could be looking for a new job.
Louisiana Tech: Sonny Combie
Combie has won three games in each of his two seasons at Louisiana Tech. They have limited returning players, which means the 2024 season could be tough.
Southern Miss: Will Hall
One season where the Golden Eagles went to a bowl is sandwiched between two 3-9 seasons. Another three-win season could make things dicey for Hall.
Temple: Stan Drayton
After going 3-9 for his two seasons, an increase in wins will be needed for Drayton. That could be hard to do with just seven returning starters.
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