Six College Football Coaches Facing Critical Seasons in 2026
The 2026 college football season is set to be pivotal for several head coaches in the Power Four conferences, as the landscape of the sport has shifted dramatically due to the transfer portal, NIL, and conference realignment.
Lincoln Riley at USC is under scrutiny as his team has yet to achieve a complete performance despite strong offensive capabilities, raising doubts about his leadership. Shane Beamer has increased expectations at South Carolina, where the focus is now on consistent competition with top SEC teams rather than sporadic upsets.
Mike Norvell at Florida State faces pressure to return the program to championship contention after experiencing both success and decline. Luke Fickell's tenure at Wisconsin has not met expectations, as the team struggles against top Big Ten opponents. Meanwhile, Mike Locksley has improved Maryland's recruiting but needs to elevate the program beyond a middle-tier finish. Lastly, Dave Aranda, who led Baylor to a Big 12 title in 2021, must navigate a reshaped conference to regain competitive status, as another disappointing season could increase scrutiny on his future.
