According to recent reporting from CBS Sports and other college football outlets, the situations surrounding Florida State, Maryland, South Carolina, USC, Rutgers and several other programs deserve close attention. However, being on the hot seat does not mean a coach has been fired or that a decision has been made.
Here are the coaches whose job security could become one of the biggest storylines of the season.
- Mike Norvell — Florida State
Florida State's expectations remain high, and Norvell continues to face questions about the program's direction following its recent struggles. The Seminoles' difficult start, combined with changes in athletic department leadership, has put additional attention on his future.
Norvell's biggest obstacle may be financial. A substantial buyout could make a dismissal expensive, but money alone does not guarantee a coach's job is safe.
What to watch: Whether Florida State can finish strong, compete against its major rivals and demonstrate that the program is moving back toward championship contention.
- Mike Locksley — Maryland
Locksley entered the season under pressure after consecutive 4–8 campaigns. Maryland's disappointing start and a 54–3 loss to UCLA intensified the scrutiny surrounding his tenure.
The Terrapins need more than occasional competitive performances. They need sustained progress in a Big Ten conference where the financial and recruiting competition is increasingly demanding.
What to watch: Improved conference results, offensive consistency and evidence that Maryland can compete with stronger Big Ten programs.
- Shane Beamer — South Carolina
Beamer faces a difficult challenge in Columbia. South Carolina supporters want a program capable of competing with the SEC's best, and recent disappointing results have raised questions about whether the Gamecocks are meeting those expectations.
The challenge is not simply winning games. It is establishing consistency, developing talent and showing that the program can recover from setbacks.
What to watch: The Gamecocks' performance against SEC opponents and whether the team can regain momentum during the second half of the season.
- Lincoln Riley — USC
USC is a program where expectations are enormous. Riley's offensive reputation and recruiting resources have created pressure to produce a team capable of competing for a national championship.
Recent losses have intensified questions about whether USC is progressing quickly enough. Yet a potential buyout reportedly reaching tens of millions of dollars complicates any decision.
What to watch: USC's performance against elite opponents, its chances of reaching the College Football Playoff and whether the administration believes the program is on the right trajectory.
- Greg Schiano — Rutgers
Schiano has a history with Rutgers and has helped the program achieve stretches of improved performance. Nevertheless, the Scarlet Knights face a challenging competitive environment, and a disappointing season could prompt renewed questions about the program's long-term direction.
Rutgers must find ways to compete consistently in the Big Ten while building a roster capable of handling the conference's top teams.
What to watch: Whether Rutgers can reverse its early-season struggles and demonstrate meaningful progress.
- Dave Doeren — NC State
Doeren has enjoyed considerable success at NC State over the years, which makes his situation different from that of a coach who has consistently struggled.
Still, past accomplishments do not automatically protect a coach when expectations are not met. Disappointing results and questions about the team's ability to capitalize on its talent could lead to an important offseason evaluation.
What to watch: Whether NC State finishes the season strongly and whether the administration sees a clear path forward under Doeren.
Other coaches worth monitoring Several other coaches have also attracted attention in the 2026 hot-seat discussion:
Deion Sanders — Colorado: Colorado's struggles following the departures of key stars have raised questions about the program's ability to maintain momentum. Sonny Dykes — TCU: The Horned Frogs face pressure to return to the level of success that made them national contenders. Fran Brown — Syracuse: Continued results and the program's overall trajectory will help determine how much patience the administration maintains. Dave Aranda — Baylor: Baylor needs consistent improvement after several difficult seasons, and expectations remain important as the program evaluates its future. These are situations to monitor, not confirmed dismissals. Coaching decisions can change quickly as teams win or lose, and each university has its own financial and competitive considerations.
Why buyouts matter more than ever Firing a head coach is not simply a football decision. Universities must consider contract obligations, assistant-coach changes, recruiting consequences, roster retention and the cost of hiring a replacement.
Recent coaching changes have demonstrated just how expensive the process can become. A large buyout can delay a decision, but a university may still act if administrators believe the program has reached a point where change is necessary.
The transfer portal and revenue-sharing era also raise the stakes. Programs invest heavily in building rosters, and administrators want to see those investments translate into victories.
The Super64.club verdict The remainder of the 2026 season could determine the futures of several coaches. Florida State, Maryland, South Carolina and USC stand out as especially important situations to watch, while Rutgers, NC State, Colorado, TCU, Syracuse and Baylor remain programs worth monitoring.
Ultimately, the biggest question is not whether a coach has lost a few games. It is whether the university believes that coach can deliver the results, player development and competitive progress necessary to justify another season.
One thing is certain: November could bring some difficult decisions, and the college football coaching carousel may be just getting started.
Super64.club note: This article identifies reported coaching hot-seat situations as of October 20, 2026. It does not claim that any of these coaches has been officially dismissed. Conditions can change as new results and announcements emerge.