Several coaches are on the hot seat heading into the 2025 season. Failing to produce a winning season could cost them their job.
Coaches on the Hot Seat in 2025
Billy Napier, Florida Gators
Napier’s tenure in Florida started with two sub-.500 seasons consisting of 6-7 and 5-7 records.
In 2024, the Gators went 8-5, rattling off four straight wins, including victories against ranked teams such as LSU and Ole Miss.
They beat Tulane in the Gasparilla Bowl. Quarterback DJ Lagway went 6-1 as their starter this past season, netting him freshman all-American honors.
2024 showed growth for the Gators, but Napier was on the hot seat due to the team’s performance in 2022 and 2023. Oregon State thrashed the Gators 30-3 in the Las Vegas Bowl in 2022, and the Gators missed the bowl games in 2023 because of a five-game losing streak to end that season. The team’s SEC record was 3-5 in those years.
Justin Wilcox, Cal Bears
The California Golden Bears have not created a winning season since 2019, when they went 8-5.
Wilcox has been at the helm since 2019, accumulating a 36-43 record and a 21-37 record in conference games.
Wilcox has reworked his coaching staff, adding several experienced coaches, including Nick Rolovich, senior offensive assistant; Bryan Harsin, offensive coordinator; and ex-NFL head coach Ron Rivera, who will work as an administrator.
Brent Venables, Oklahoma Sooners
Venables has been the head coach for the Sooners since 2021. His tenure has been very inconsistent, with records of 11-2, 10-3, and 6-7 (twice).
Although this past season had its struggles, Venables did show signs of positivity when Oklahoma trounced Alabama 24-3 in November.
However, that win was followed by a 37-17 loss to LSU and a 21-20 loss to Navy in the Armed Forces Bowl.
Lincoln Riley, USC Trojans
In four seasons with the Trojans, Riley was expected to take USC to a conference championship and win it. He hasn’t.
The team finished the inaugural season in the Big Ten with a 7-6 record and 4-5 in conference play.
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Riley did find success in 2022 with Caleb Williams, who led the team to an 11-3 record. Unfortunately, they underachieved the next season, finishing 8-5 in 2023.
Riley has recruited Husan Longstreet, a five-star quarterback. Hopefully, the addition will kickstart the offense, which scored 30.2 points a game and ranked 51st nationally.
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