Top 5 college football coaches on hot seat after Week 4 games ft. Billy Napier
Week 4 of the college football season is officially in the books, and there are some coaches who find themselves on the hot seat. Let's take a closer look at five of the more notable names that could be on the chopping block with their current programs.
Top college football coaches on the hot seat
Billy Napier, Florida
Billy Napier has been the poster child for college football coaches on the hot seat this season as he has not put the Florida Gators in national championship contention. This is his third season, and the Gators are 13-16 during his tenure and have one of the most difficult schedules in the history of the sport this season.
With the prestige of the Gators brand, if Napier is fired, there should be a big-name coach waiting in the wings. He is reportedly due 85% of his remaining contract if he is fired without cause, which equates to an estimated $26 million at the end of the 2024 season.
Napier did win this weekend, 45-28 over the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Still, the Gators are only 2-2, and more wins will be needed to ease the pressure on their coach.
Dave Aranda, Baylor
Dave Aranda has been the definition of a middling coach as the program has had one winning season in his tenure. Hired to be the Baylor Bears coach in 2020, Aranda has a 25-27 record, including 2-2 in 2024 after a 38-31 overtime road loss to the Colorado Buffaloes in Week 4.
It may not be enough to solidify his position, especially with the Big 12 adding teams and pushing Baylor down the pecking order.
There is a chance it could get back former associate head coach and current Texas Tech coach Joe McGuire if they were to get rid of Aranda. However, if they do get to that next level and be in contention for the College Football Playoff, that will secure the job of the coach.
Sam Pittman, Arkansas
Sam Pittman has been a mediocre coach as through 52 games with the Arkansas Razorbacks over 4.5 seasons, he is 26-26. The highs have been great with a 2-0 bowl record, but he won a combined 10 games outside of those two years.
With the Razorbacks off to a 3-1 start, it is not likely to see a change right now, but it still has to be on the table if they struggle in the SEC portion of their schedule.
The Razorbacks are coming off a solid 24-14 road win against the Auburn Tigers. This will only slightly ease the pressure on their coach.
Mike Norvell, Florida State
Mike Norvell is the most recognizable name on this list and is in the midst of his fifth year with the Florida State Seminoles. While there have been some massive peaks during his tenure, the warts are continuing to show.
After a 13-1 season last year and winning the ACC championship, the Seminoles are 1-3 after a 14-9 home victory in Week 4 over the California Golden Bears.
Norvell is reportedly owed 85% of his remaining contract if fired without cause. That means he would be owed an estimated $62.4 million if fired after the season. While this move likely will not happen, it's not unprecedented as Texas A&M fired Jimbo Fisher last season with similar money owed/pedigree.
Will Hall, Southern Miss
He is in his lame-duck season, so the Golden Eagles would not have to pay much out to him in regards to letting him go a few games earlier than contractually obligated to.
They even have the interim ready as defensive coordinator Ron Roberts was one of the rumored candidates for the coaching position before the school decided to hire Hall.
He has struggled in four seasons as he holds a 14-27 record and is 1-3 to begin the 2024 season. Hall could be the first coach to be fired this season and is coming off a 44-7 road defeat against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in Week 4 action.