CBS Sports released a list of all 136 FBS head coaches and whether they're on the hot seat for the coming season. A coach's job can get thrown on the line due to one season or even one game, and especially big-name programs can feel the heat of those losses much more than others.
The panel of nine college football experts each gave their rating for all head coaches on a scale of zero to five. Louisiana Tech's Sonny Cumbie is the only coach who's in the "Win or be fired" category (5.00). No Big Ten coaches ventured into the "Start improving now" section (4.00-4.99), but three have more pressure on them than the others.
Here's where all Big Ten coaches sit on CBS Sports' hot seat ranking.
The Badgers' Luke Fickell is one of the three "Pressure is mounting" teams. After a 3-6 (Big Ten) end to the 2024 regular season and only one win at home, Fickell should have the pressure on him. However, he's entering his third season at Wisconsin and is has a battle ahead of him. The Badgers have the hardest schedule in their conference and not many people have faith that he can get the job done.
Unsurprisingly, USC's Lincoln Riley also has a lot of pressure on him going into his fourth season with the Trojans. Like Fickell, though, the expectation is that he suffers yet another below average year fighting to get above .500. However, Riley was in the "All good . . . for now" category in 2024-25 and he won't be in a better position until those wins manifest. If he can't put together an acceptable record and overall season, the hot seat might be waiting for him.
Mike Locksley is the last Big Ten coach under "Pressure is mounting." A 1-8 (Big Ten) season with the only victory being a one-point, at-home game is more than concerning for Locksley. Purdue already handled its coaching situation, and the second-to-last Big Ten finisher in 2024-25 were the Terrapins. While he's only in the 3.00-3.99 range, Maryland could decide that things need to change sooner rather than later, especially as he's entering his seventh year with the team.
Finally branching into the 2.00-2.99 range, Deshaun Foster is the highest-rated coach in the "All good . . . for now" category. While the Bruins had the same 2024-25 record, 3-6, this is not only Foster's second season at UCLA but the program's second year in the Big Ten. This puts him in a better position than Riley or Fickell, but the results need to start improving — even if it's slow — to hinder the pressure piling up in the future.
Sherrone Moore is heading into his second season at Michigan. While it may seem odd that his job is "All good . . . for now" considering other second-year coaches with worse records are in a better position on this list, the Wolverines' program just simply needs to be better. The pressure is obviously going to build year-by-year if the results don't roll in, and the results Michigan is looking for is greater than some other schools. Moore needs a real competitive record that gets him and his team into the College Football Playoffs, and that's not going 5-4 in the Big Ten.
Matt Rhule is another coach entering his second season in the Big Ten. Given the previous "Safe and secure" ranking in 2024-25, the pressure on Rhule is naturally building. There's no surprises here, especially considering Nebraska made a bowl game for the first time in seven years. The more Rhule proves he can get it done, the quicker the pressure will amount on him to propel the program further. Some think he'll crack into the playoffs, while others think he could underwhelm.
Northwestern already went through a coaching change when David Braun stepped up as interim head coach in 2023 and eventually kept the position. Turnovers are going to be the Wildcats' biggest downfall if they can't minimize those mistakes. However, Braun is heading into a season where both sides of the ball are stronger. So if he can't surpass a 2-7 Big Ten record, there's a problem.
Jonathan Smith is revamping the Spartans program and while their 2024-25 record was subpar, there's a brighter future ahead for Smith compared to other coaches. There's a lot of good happening at Michigan State to see advancement in 2025-26 as well as the following season. He's entering his second season in East Lansing with promise. While Smith is closer to the "All good . . . for now" category, one game won't push him out of the "Safe and secure" territory.
P.J. Fleck just signed a one-year contract extension that will keep him through the 2030 season. He's one of the most successful coaches in Minnesota program history and has a 6-0 bowl game record. The Golden Gophers won't be looking to replace him anytime soon.
The Hawkeyes are secure with Kirk Ferentz and his long list of achievements throughout his tenure keep his job very safe heading into 2025-26. He's one of the most successful coaches in the Big Ten, just one conference win away from Woody Hayes' record. The only thing Iowa needs to worry about is if he changes his mind about signing a contract extension when the 2029 season wraps up.
Similar to Smith, Jedd Fisch is overseeing Washington's rebuild and is doing well with it even if he didn't achieve a winning record in 2024-25. A new coaching staff, good recruitment, player development, and helping the Huskies transition into the conference keeps him safe and secure going into 2025-26.
Greg Schiano is a big reason for Rutgers turnaround and success, including getting the Scarlet Knights into the Big Ten in 2014. While the 2024-25 4-5 conference record isn't ideal, Schiano led his team to an overall winning record, 7-6. With how much he's done for the program, his job is safe and secure.
Penn State won't get rid of James Franklin after last season's success and it won't even be a thought unless in a few seasons, he can't reign in the titles. He doesn't have the hot seat looming, but he arguably has the most pressure on him as a coach this coming season given his infamous title of "Big Game James."
The 0-9 (Big Ten) Boilermakers are starting fresh with Barry Odom. He's as safe and secure as it can be, but of course he's not untouchable. If Odom can prove get Purdue into a relatively competitive spot over the next couple of seasons and get well beyond one overall win, he shouldn't have much to worry about as he rides out his six-year deal.
Ryan Day's job was borderline questionable, "All good . . . for now," last season. For the coaches who are in that 3.00-3.99 range, Ohio State is proof that they can turn their team and season around drastically. After winning the CFP championship, the Buckeyes' head coach is obviously untouchable heading into 2025-26. His seven-year contract extension will keep him around through 2031.
Bret Bielema's heading into his fifth season at Illinois after signing a six-year contract extension that'll keep him through 2030. The Fighting Illini have a more comfortable schedule compared to other conference rivals. However, he'll face reigning CFP champion Ohio State in 2025-26 and other tough opponents, which means he'll have to minimize close games to secure a competitive record.
The head coach of the reigning Big Ten champions with a 9-0 conference and 13-1 overall record in 2024-25 is no doubt untouchable. Oregon can go undefeated in the upcoming season given quarterback Dante Moore is consistent, the offensive and defensive lines hit the ground running, and special teams contributes early on. Dan Lanning also signed a six-year contract extension in March.
An 11-2 overall, 8-1 conference record in his first season at Indiana no doubt makes Curt Cignetti's job untouchable. He signed an eight-year contract in November 2024 that'll keep him with the Hoosiers through 2032.