Southeastern Conference

Coaches feeling the Heat: Pressure Mounts in College Football

Several high-profile college football coaches are facing increased scrutiny as they navigate challenging programs and expectations, according to a recent analysis of team performance and upcoming schedules.The pressure is particularly acute for coaches who haven’t delivered on initial promise or are experiencing significant downturns.

Luke Fickell, Wisconsin

Luke Fickell enters a critical juncture in his tenure at Wisconsin.His first full season in madison, Wisconsin, in 2023, yielded a 7-6 record, a result largely overshadowed by the success of other big Ten programs-Michigan and Washington-which competed for the national championship. The Badgers struggled with inconsistency at the quarterback position, compounded by injuries to key players and a demanding schedule. wisconsin’s offense averaged 22.9 points per game in 2023,ranking 10th in the Big Ten.Fickell, previously lauded for his successful nine-year run at the University of Cincinnati, where he led the Bearcats to a 69-33 record and a College Football Playoff appearance in 2021, now faces a daunting 2024 schedule. Upcoming challenges include road games against the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa on September 28th, the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor on November 2nd, and the University of Oregon in eugene on November 16th. A potential bright spot is a home game against Ohio State at Camp Randall Stadium on October 26th.

Lincoln Riley, USC

Lincoln Riley’s tenure at the University of Southern California has cooled off after a promising debut. His first season in 2022 saw the Trojans achieve an 11-3 record, but they were defeated twice by the University of Utah and narrowly lost to Tulane University in the Cotton Bowl, 48-45. Subsequent seasons have been less extraordinary, with an 8-5 record in 2023 and a 7-6 finish in 2024. The Trojans’ offensive output decreased from 41.7 points per game in 2022 to 28.4 in 2024.Much of Riley’s future success hinges on the performance of quarterback Jayden Maiava, who took over as the starter mid-season in 2024. The addition of Rob Ryan, a former NFL defensive coordinator with experience coaching for the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints, as an assistant coach is intended to bolster USC’s defense, which allowed an average of 34.8 points per game in 2024.

Honorable mention

Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer completed his inaugural season in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, with a 9-4 record. However, expectations at Alabama demand consistent championship contention, requiring a return to the College Football Playoff.Oklahoma State‘s Mike Gundy, after a successful 12-2 season in 2021, experienced a significant setback with a 3-9 record in 2023, raising concerns about the long-term direction of the program. Florida State’s Mike Norvell has demonstrated flashes of success, but a 2-10 record in 2023 has intensified the pressure.Notably, former Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher recently indicated his openness to returning to college coaching, potentially adding another layer of complexity to the situation in Tallahassee, Florida.

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