Billy Napier and Mike Gundy, College football is a game of passion, loyalty, and high expectations. Fans live for Saturday afternoons, dreaming of victories that define seasons and legacies. But when those dreams turn into repeated disappointments, the spotlight shifts from players to coaches. As the 2025 season unfolds, it’s becoming clearer that Billy Napier and Mike Gundy lead college football coaching hot seat, with their futures hanging by a thread.
Billy Napier and Mike Gundy Lead College Football Coaching Hot Seat in 2025
Florida’s Billy Napier has reached a point where hope feels harder to find than victories. Once seen as a promising hire, his tenure is defined by inconsistency and heartbreak. Heading into a brutal schedule with Miami, Texas, Texas A&M, Georgia, and Florida State on the horizon, the writing on the wall grows bolder.
Losses to South Florida and LSU have dropped his record to 20-21, and his 48.7% winning percentage is the worst for a Florida coach since 1950. More painful are the numbers against rivals: a combined 3-11 against Miami, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida State, and LSU. When your rivals dominate, fans and boosters start to lose patience fast. That’s why Billy Napier and Mike Gundy lead college football coaching hot seat with Napier sitting squarely at the top.
Mike Gundy Faces Harsh Reality
Mike Gundy, a longtime figure at Oklahoma State, has been given chance after chance to revive the Cowboys. After reshuffling his staff and pledging a new direction, he delivered one of the program’s ugliest results, a 69-3 humiliation at the hands of Oregon. That game exposed just how far Oklahoma State has fallen from national contention.
While Gundy’s legacy is safe as the winningest coach in school history, his future looks grim. The Big 12 isn’t getting any easier, and patience is running thin. The brutal truth is that Billy Napier and Mike Gundy lead college football coaching hot seat because both men represent programs that should expect more but are currently delivering far less.
Other Coaches Feeling the Heat
Though Napier and Gundy are at the center of attention, they’re not alone. College football always has a few programs where expectations clash with reality.
Trent Dilfer at UAB has quickly become a cautionary tale. With only nine wins since 2023, a third of them against weaker FCS teams, his hiring already feels like a misstep. Even close wins, like one over Akron, don’t inspire confidence.
David Braun at Northwestern finds himself in an equally uncertain spot. After a surprisingly strong debut in 2023, his program slid backward, and now the Wildcats are pegged near the bottom of the Big Ten. With a new stadium opening in 2026, the university will almost certainly want a fresh face to lead them into that future.
Sam Pittman of Arkansas has had bright moments, but a 7-18 record in one-possession games and 14-29 in SEC play tells the real story. Razorback fans love him personally, but patience can only last so long when close losses pile up.
Luke Fickell at Wisconsin represents the most difficult decision. The Badgers must weigh his potential against their painful reality. With a grueling schedule ahead, Wisconsin’s administration must decide whether to endure another year of struggles or make an expensive coaching change.
These stories show why Billy Napier and Mike Gundy lead college football coaching hot seat, because in this sport, expectations never pause, and results define futures.
The Brutal Nature of the Hot Seat
Being on the hot seat in college football isn’t just about losing games. It’s about failing to live up to tradition, disappointing boosters who invest millions, and frustrating fanbases who expect Saturdays filled with pride. Coaches like Napier and Gundy are reminders that no amount of history or potential can save you when losses mount.
The SEC and Big 12 are unforgiving leagues. Every mistake gets magnified, every defeat feels heavier. For Napier, it’s the weight of Florida’s rich tradition. For Gundy, it’s the frustration of watching a proud program collapse. That’s why when people say Billy Napier and Mike Gundy lead college football coaching hot seat, it resonates so deeply across the sport.
FAQs
- Why is Billy Napier on the coaching hot seat?
Napier has struggled to win consistently at Florida, posting a losing record against major rivals and holding the lowest winning percentage of any Florida coach since 1950. His difficult upcoming schedule makes his job security even more fragile. - Why is Mike Gundy’s future in doubt at Oklahoma State?
Despite his long history and past success, Gundy’s Cowboys were embarrassed in a 69-3 loss to Oregon. With years of declining results, fans and administrators doubt his ability to restore the program to national relevance. - Who else is on the college football hot seat in 2025?
Other coaches under pressure include Trent Dilfer (UAB), David Braun (Northwestern), Sam Pittman (Arkansas), and Luke Fickell (Wisconsin). Each faces unique challenges but shares the same reality: underperformance leads to uncertainty. - What does it mean to be on the hot seat?
In college football, being on the hot seat means a coach is under serious scrutiny and could be fired soon if results don’t improve. It’s a sign that patience from fans, boosters, and athletic directors is running out. - Can Napier or Gundy save their jobs?
Both coaches technically still have opportunities. If Napier shocks the SEC with big wins or Gundy engineers a turnaround in Big 12 play, they could quiet the noise. But given their schedules and recent form, their chances appear slim.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information and analysis of current college football performances. It is intended for informational and commentary purposes only and should not be taken as definitive predictions or insider reporting. The situations surrounding coaches may change as the season progresses.
