Which college football coach is on the hottest seat heading into 2026? Florida State’s Mike Norvell, South Carolina’s Shane Beamer, North Carolina’s Bill Belichick, and Maryland’s Mike Locksley are among several college coaches facing mounting pressure as expectations threaten their jobs. Could Florida State’s brutal early slate against SMU, Alabama, Louisville, and Miami force a high-stakes midseason firing? Or will Shane Beamer’s Gamecocks survive a punishing SEC run with matchups against Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee?

Brian Smith offers sharp insights, breaks down buyout complications, and highlights how power struggles off the field—NIL, booster involvement, and staff shake-ups—directly impact program stability. Get scouting on who’s poised to take over next: top coordinators, Group of Six coaches, and bold predictions about surprise openings. Can embattled coaches survive, or will college football’s coaching carousel start spinning faster than ever?

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