In modern college football, coaches can rebuild rosters and become competitive very quickly via the transfer portal and NIL, however many coaches have struggled in this new era of college football. Coaches need time to develop and get talent to their respected programs, but in this day and age if coaches do not show signs of improvement rather quickly, it could result in a very quick stay. These five coaches are not necessarily on the hot seat just yet but definitely could be if they do not have success in 2023.
College Football Coaches Under the Most Pressure in 2023
5. Brent Pry, Virginia Tech
Brent Pry did not have high expectations for his first year in Blacksburg. However, Pry did not give the Hokie fans anything to be excited about in 2023. Virginia Tech has a manageable ACC slate, but their tricky non-conference schedule will be the determining factor on whether or not the Hokies make a bowl game in 2023. Many, including myself, believe Pry will figure things out in 2023. But, if not, things will not be looking good in Blacksburg.
4. Mel Tucker, Michigan State
In 2021, Mel Tucker was one of the most sought-after coaches in the country and led Michigan State to a New Year’s Six bowl. But in 2022, the Spartans failed to even make a bowl game and might have put Mel Tucker on the hot seat. With Michigan State losing a ton of production and having to play what might be the toughest schedule in the country, things could go downhill very quickly in East Lansing if Mel Tucker does not turn his program around.
3. Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M
The expectations for Texas A&M heading into the 2022 season were very high and understandably so. Jimbo Fisher brought in what most believe was the greatest recruiting class of all time and could not wait for the 2022 season. The Aggies season came to a halting stop in early September after a loss to Appalachian State and could never figure it out after that.
Many believe that Jimbo Fisher would have been fired in 2022 if not for his massive buyout, so saying Jimbo is on the hot seat might be an understatement. The vibe in College Station still is not great, but Aggies fans still believe in Jimbo and his staff to figure things out in 2023.
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2. Billy Napier, Florida
Billy Napier’s Florida Gators had a very bizarre year in 2022 and did not perform the way that many expected. In Napier’s first season at Florida, he lost to bitter rivals Tennessee, Georgia, and LSU, as well as losing to Kentucky in the Swamp and at Vanderbilt.
Florida fans are not happy at all with Napier and the direction of their program. There is no hiding the fact that Florida’s program is rapidly declining and many believe that the 2023 Florida Gators will be one of the worst in the SEC. I do not believe that Florida will be that bad in 2023, but their incredibly tough schedule is doing them no favors. If Billy Napier has another bad year in Florida, fans might just run him out of town.
1. Brent Venables, Oklahoma
Brent Venables was thrown into a very interesting situation, so I will cut him a little slack. However, Venables had a terrible first impression for Sooners fans in his first year. Oklahoma had its worst season since 1998 in Venables’ first season as head coach.
I thought that this was a home run hire for Oklahoma because of Venables coaching over the years with Clemson’s defense, but the Oklahoma defense in 2022 was one of the worst in the Big 12. The worst part of Venable’s first season was an embarrassing 49-0 loss to bitter rival Texas, which was the largest defeat in Oklahoma and Texas’ long rivalry. A loss like that to Texas, a game that means so much to so many people, is unacceptable and Sooner fans will never get over it.
With the Sooners moving into the SEC very soon, Venables has to have a good year in 2023 or things could get ugly for such a legendary program.
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