Predicting 3 SEC coaches who could get fired in 2024 college football season ft. Sam Pittman
The 2024 college football season is less than a month away as play will kick off on August 24, with eight teams in action. While none of the SEC's 16 teams are among the group that will play on the opening weekend, each program will begin their season the following week.
The conference will have a new look in 2024, with the Oklahoma Sooners and Texas Longhorns moving from the Big 12 to the SEC. With things expected to get more difficult, take a look at three SEC coaches who could get fired before the end of the 2024 season below.
3 SEC coaches who could get fired in the 2024 college football season
#1: Sam Pittman
Sam Pittman has spent the past four seasons leading the Arkansas Razorbacks, compiling a 23-25 record. After debuting with a 3-7 mark in the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, he led the program to a 9-4 record the following season, as they reached as high as eighth in the rankings. Things appeared to be trending upward following their Outback Bowl victory over the Penn State Nittany Lions, however, that has not been the case.
The Razorbacks have regressed in each of the past two seasons - finishing 7-6 and 4-8. If they are unable to bounce back, Pittman could find himself looking for a new job.
#2: Billy Napier
Billy Napier had a strong four-year tenure leading the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns to a 40-12 mark from 2018-2021. He was named the head coach of the Florida Gators ahead of the 2022 season and has not found the same success, compiling an 11-14 record.
After finishing 6-7 with a bowl game loss in 2022, he led the program to a 5-7 mark as they failed to reach a bowl game last season. His predecessor Dan Mullen led the Gators to a 34-15 mark, yet was fired before he could finish his fourth season. If Napier is unable to turn things around, he may not make it through a third season.
#3: Clark Lea
Clark Lea has struggled in three years leading the Vanderbilt Commodores as they are just 9-27 during his tenure. After finishing 2-10 in 2021, they had a 5-7 record the following season leading many to believe that things were trending in the right direction. That was not the case, however, as Vanderbilt once again finished 2-10 last season. Lea will look to lead the program to a resurgence or face the prospect of being without a job.