College coaches Dave Aranda, Mike Norvell, and Luke Fickell face job pressure

Head coaches Dave Aranda, Mike Norvell, and Luke Fickell enter the 2026 college football season with significant scrutiny regarding their job security. Aranda, who returns to Baylor following a 5-7 record, faces a critical opening matchup against Auburn in Atlanta. Florida State coach Mike Norvell seeks to build momentum in a primetime Labor Day game against SMU following a lackluster performance against New Mexico State. Meanwhile, Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell faces a demanding early schedule including road games against Penn State, UCLA, and Iowa. These programs are closely monitoring performance outcomes to determine if coaching changes are required to improve team results. Following a 2025 season that saw multiple mid-season firings, athletic departments remain sensitive to early-season losses that could prompt staff turnover.

• 3:29 PMCBS Sports — These games will be difference between hot seat coaches keeping jobs or being fired