CBS Sports identifies six college football coaches facing job pressure for 2026
Annual rankings reveal increased stability with 95 coaches holding low hot-seat scores, though complex financial and strategic factors continue to influence employment decisions.
CBS Sports has released its annual Hot Seat Rankings for the 2026 college football season, identifying six coaches facing significant job pressure. The report highlights Luke Fickell and Dave Aranda as notable figures among those at risk, marking a shift from the previous cycle which was characterised by widespread dismissals of high-profile personnel.
The data indicates a period of relative stability compared to the prior year, with 95 coaches holding a hot-seat score below 2.0. Forty-seven of these coaches have a score under 1.0, a substantial increase from the 28 recorded in the previous season. Established figures such as Kirby Smart, Curt Cignetti, and Dan Lanning finished near the top of the list, while several first-year coaches received zero scores.
This contrasts sharply with the previous coaching cycle, described as a "bloodbath," which saw the dismissal of Brian Kelly, James Franklin, Mike Gundy, Hugh Freeze, and Sam Pittman. While a high hot-seat score is not a guaranteed indicator of termination, historical data shows that all five coaches who received scores above 4.0 in the prior season were ultimately fired.
The report notes that firing decisions have become more complex due to the "new era" of college football rules. Some schools are retaining coaches despite poor performance due to financial constraints, with Tallahassee cited as a specific example of institutions unable to afford coaching changes. Others are keeping staff to support strategic development plans for star players.
Exceptions to the trend remain common, with coaches such as Louisiana Tech’s Sonny Cumbie, Oklahoma’s Brent Venables, and Arizona’s Brent Brennan reversing negative narratives through strong on-field results. Conversely, midseason firings occurred previously for Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy and UAB’s Trent Dilfer during unsuccessful campaigns, underscoring the volatile nature of the profession.
