It is not easy being a head coach in college football. While they get more control over their program and how it is put together — compared to their NFL counterparts — bad seasons mean even more blame. With the demand to win as high as ever in the era of the CFB playoffs, we rank the most vulnerable big-name college football coaches heading into the 2025 season.
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After an outstanding run at Oklahoma , Lincoln Riley got off to a fast start at USC . Going 11-3 in his first season leading the Trojans. Of course, that came during a Heisman season for Caleb Williams . But they have gone into a steady decline since and finished 7-6 in 2024. And there is no reason to expect a huge leap ahead for USC in its second season in the Big Ten. Riley would be in the hottest seat in the sport. However, his massive contract buyout will likely save him. Barring a disastrous showing in 2025.
Lincoln Riley record:81-24
Lincoln Riley buyout:$89 million
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Two years ago, Mike Norvell seemed to emerge as one of the top college football coaches in the nation. After a 10-win campaign, he led Florida State to a 13-1 record in 2024. However, after some notable departures from the roster, the coach had his worst showing in the sport with a 2-10 record last year. With 3-6 and 5-7 seasons already on his resume at FSU, he can't afford another losing year. His huge buyout may not be able to save him from another losing season.
Mike Norvell record:71-43
Mike Norvell buyout:$64 million
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Brian Kelly had a phenomenal run at Notre Dame , going 113-40 in 12 seasons. While he has still been good overseeing the LSU Tigers , life has been much tougher in the SEC. After a pair of 10-win seasons, the team's 9-4 result in 2024 was not what administrators expected in year three. Kelly is one of the best coaches in the country, but this is a playoffs-or-bust year for him. If they fail to reach the postseason in 2025, Kelly could be looking for work elsewhere.
Brian Kelly record:195-73
Brian Kelly buyout:$61 million (As of Dec. 2024)
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After firing Dan Mullen four years ago, Florida Gators administrators felt Billy Napier could be the man to bring them back to the heights they had with coaching legend Urban Meyer. However, he has come nowhere close to matching what he did at Louisiana or what his predecessor did. If he can get a nine-win season, he should be fine after an 8-5 showing in 2024. However, a step back in 2025 would be big trouble for Napier.
Billy Napier record:59-31
Billy Napier buyout:$27 million
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In his first job as a head coach, Brent Venables took on one of the most storied franchises in college football, Oklahoma , four years ago. The first season is always expected to be tough, but when they won 10 games two years ago, it looked like the former Clemson defensive coordinator was taking the necessary steps to get the Sooners back to relevancy. However, a stunning 6-7 finish last season heated up his seat big time. If transfer QB John Mateer can't get Oklahoma into playoff contention or a double-digit win result this season, Venables is in trouble.
Brent Venables record:22-17
Brent Venables buyout:$35 million
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Mike Gundy is one of the longest tenured coaches in college football. But all things come to an end, and year 22 for the Oklahoma State coach could be his last. He has done great things with the program during his tenure, but they've had just two double-digit win seasons since 2018. While the Big 12 is a good conference, it isn't the SEC or Big Ten. Their 3-9 campaign set off alarm bells that Gundy may no longer be a good fit for the position. It is a make-or-break year for the 58-year-old.
Mike Gundy record:169-88
Mike Gundy buyout:$15 million
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There were high hopes when Virginia Tech made former Penn State DC Brent Pry their new head coach four years ago. Yet after three seasons, he has a 16-21 record in his first stint as a college football head coach. Schools like Va Tech are a bit more patient and cautious with their money than some of the wealthier programs. However, a third losing season in four years will definitely lead to Pry's ouster.
Brent Pry record:16-21
Brent Pry buyout:Around $10 million
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After doing big things with Liberty , Auburn administrators hoped Hugh Freeze could bring the program back to notoriety when they hired him three years ago. However, after two seasons, he has posted an 11-14 record as the leader of the program. With an easy-to-swallow buyout, he needs to have a big season in 2025, or he will be coaching elsewhere next year. Rumors that Nick Saban may be interested in a return to coaching doesn't help him either.
Hugh Freeze record:94-57
Hugh Freeze buyout:$5 million
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