5 College Football Coaches Facing 'Immediate' Pressure In 2025

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Five college football head coaches are facing “immediate” pressure to win in 2025.

The 2025 college football season is right around the corner. The 2025 college football regular season will open up in late August. That’s a little more than just three months away.

Ahead of the 2025 college football season, who’s facing the most pressure to win right away?

247Sports analyst Brad Crawford recently named five head coaches who are facing “immediate” pressure to win – and win now – during the 2025 college football regular season.

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 1: (L-R) Desmond Howard, Rece Davis, Nick Saban, Pat McAfee, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit of ESPN College GameDay appear on set before the Rose Bowl between Ohio State Buckeyes and Oregon Ducks at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 1, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)

Ric Tapia/Getty Images

Here’s who is facing pressure to win right away during the 2025 college football season.

1. Auburn’s Hugh Freeze

Freeze, the head coach at Auburn, has been with the Tigers since 2023.

But Auburn has posted back-to-back losing seasons under Freeze, going 6-7 in 2023 and 5-7 in 2024. The Tigers need to post a winning season in 2025.

AUBURN, ALABAMA – SEPTEMBER 16: Head coach Hugh Freeze of the Auburn Tigers prior to their game against the Samford Bulldogs at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 16, 2023 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)

Michael Chang/Getty Images

2. LSU’s Brian Kelly

Kelly shocked the sport when he left Notre Dame for LSU. While the Tigers have been a top 25 team for most of Kelly’s tenure, they’ve yet to contend for a conference title or a College Football Playoff championship.

Expectations are higher at LSU.

HOUSTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 31: Head coach Brian Kelly of the LSU Tigers reacts against the Baylor Bears during the second half in the Kinder’s Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium on December 31, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

Alex Slitz/Getty Images

3. Florida State’s Mike Norvell

Norvell’s had an up-and-down tenure at Florida State. The Seminoles went undefeated in the regular season two seasons ago, while they were one of the worst Power 5 teams in the country this past season.

Florida State will need to get back to an elite level in 2025.

TALLAHASSEE, FL – SEPTEMBER 02:Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell walks the field before a college football game between the Boston College Eagles and the Florida State Seminoles on September 2nd, 2024 at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, FL. (Photo by Chris Leduc/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Icon Sportswire/Getty Images

4. Arkansas’s Sam Pittman

Pittman, 63, has been at Arkansas since 2020. He’s posted three winning seasons, though the Razorbacks have yet to contend at the top of the SEC.

Fans are hoping that’ll change in a big way in 2025.

ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 25: Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Sam Pittman talks to a referee during the Southwest Classic college football game between the Texas A&M Aggies and Arkansas Razorbacks on September 25, 2021 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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5. Oklahoma’s Brent Venables

You never want to be the guy replacing the guy when it comes to coaching. Lincoln Riley was that guy at Oklahoma, replacing Bob Stoops. While Riley had success, he ultimately chose to leave for USC.

Venables, a former Oklahoma assistant, took over when Riley left. The Sooners have faced some tough schedules lately, especially in the SEC, but the fan base is desperate for a title contender.

NORMAN, OK – SEPTEMBER 10: Head coach Brent Venables of the Oklahoma Sooners greets team members before a game against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 10, 2022 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma won 33-3. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

Brian Bahr/Getty Images

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College football coaches facing pressure to WIN this season …Hugh FreezeBrian KellyMike NorvellSam Pittman Brent VenablesPredicting one will be replaced, who will it be?

— Brad Crawford (@BCrawford247) May 21, 2025