10 college football coaches under the most pressure in 2026: Mike Norvell, Luke Fickell need big seasons
CBS Sports
by
Brad Crawford
February 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The 2026 college football season is shaping up as a high-stakes environment for several head coaches, many of whom face intense pressure to deliver strong performances. With a recent wave of coaching changes and the demands of the revenue-sharing era, which prioritizes quick results, these leaders must generate momentum—or risk facing scrutiny or even job instability. The College Football Playoff expansion has also heightened expectations, creating a "win-now" culture in major programs.
Mike Norvell at Florida State is under significant pressure after taking over play-calling duties for 2026. The Seminoles' program is grappling with $437 million in athletics-related debt, much of which stems from football infrastructure projects. Following a five-win season and a downturn that saw the team drop 17 games over two seasons, Norvell must stabilize Florida State to avoid further criticism.
Luke Fickell’s situation at Wisconsin remains precarious despite receiving public support from his athletic director. With a 10-17 record against Big Ten opponents since taking over three years ago and struggles against ranked teams (2-11), Fickell needs to turn around a program that has fallen short of expectations.
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Originally published on CBS Sports on 2/20/2026