The Florida Gators’ head coach, Billy Napier, is already feeling the heat even before the 2024 season opener. After a disappointing 11-14 record in his first two seasons in Gainesville, Napier is now listed at +400 by SportsBetting.ag as the most likely NCAA football coach to be fired first this season.
But he’s not alone in the hot seat. Sam Pittman of Arkansas is right behind him with odds of +500. Despite a 23-25 record in his first four seasons, the pressure is mounting for Pittman as well. Miami’s Mario Cristobal follows closely behind with odds of +600, especially with Miami set to face off against Florida in the season opener.
The list of coaches at risk doesn’t end there. Baylor’s Dave Aranda and Vanderbilt’s Clark Lea are also on the radar with odds of +700 and +800, respectively. Aranda, with a 23-25 record, has struggled since winning the Big 12 in 2021, while Lea has a tough 9-27 record in three seasons with Vanderbilt.
One surprising name on the list is Ohio State’s Ryan Day, despite his impressive 56-8 record with the Buckeyes. The pressure is on for Day, especially after a three-game losing streak against rival Michigan.
As the season approaches, the speculation and anticipation for the first coach to be fired are building. With the odds stacked against them, these coaches will have to prove themselves on the field to secure their positions and silence the critics. Only time will tell who will be the first to face the chopping block in the high-stakes world of college football coaching.