4 Big Ten football coaches on the hot seat entering the 2026 season
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
The Big Ten has no shortage of established coaches heading into the 2026 season, but not all of them enter the year with the same level of job security.
While programs like Ohio State, Oregon, Michigan and Indiana feel confident in their leadership, several coaches across the conference are entering pivotal campaigns that could determine whether they return in 2027. Some have struggled to produce results despite multiple years on the job, while others face mounting pressure simply because expectations have grown.
Here are four Big Ten head coaches facing the most pressure entering the 2026 season.
Luke Fickell, Wisconsin
No Big Ten coach may have more riding on this season than Luke Fickell. When Wisconsin hired him before the 2023 season, the expectation was that one of college football’s most respected coaches would elevate the Badgers back into conference contention. Instead, the program has trended in the opposite direction.
After a 7-6 debut season, Wisconsin followed with consecutive losing campaigns, posting five wins in 2024 and four in 2025. The offensive transition away from their traditional identity never truly materialized, and the Badgers have struggled to find consistency at quarterback.
Wisconsin responded aggressively this offseason, bringing in former Old Dominion quarterback Colton Joseph to stabilize the offense while investing heavily at other positions through the transfer portal. The talent is there, but now the wins have to follow.
Another losing season would make it difficult to envision Fickell returning for a fifth year, while even moderate improvement may not be enough unless Wisconsin once again looks like a legitimate factor in the Big Ten race.
Matt Rhule, Nebraska
Matt Rhule has built a reputation throughout his career for rebuilding struggling programs, but Nebraska is still waiting for its breakthrough. The Cornhuskers have reached bowl eligibility under Rhule, but consecutive seven-win seasons haven’t satisfied a fan base eager to return to national relevance.
Adding to the pressure, Nebraska lost quarterback Dylan Raiola to the portal. Rhule responded by bringing in UNLV transfer Anthony Colandrea, hoping the experienced dual-threat quarterback can provide the spark the offense has lacked.
Nebraska has shown signs of progress under Rhule, which is why his seat may not be quite as hot as Fickell’s. Still, Year 4 is typically when meaningful results are expected, and another season hovering around .500 likely won’t quiet down the frustration building in Lincoln.
Mike Locksley, Maryland
Mike Locksley deserves credit for elevating Maryland’s recruiting and injecting life into the program, but the problem is those recruiting wins haven’t translated into victories.
Locksley enters his ninth season in College Park with a 37-49 overall record after back-to-back four-win campaigns. Maryland appears optimistic about sophomore quarterback Malik Washington and has assembled one of the better recruiting classes in program history, highlighted by five-star edge rusher Zion Elee.
However, potential eventually has to turn into production. No one expects Maryland to consistently compete with the top programs in the Big Ten, but another season near the bottom of the standings would make it difficult to justify staying the course.
Lincoln Riley, USC
Lincoln Riley owns the best record of anyone on this list, which speaks to the expectations that come with coaching at USC. Since arriving in Los Angeles, Riley has gone 35-18, but his first season of 11 wins remains his best. Since then, USC has failed to return to that level despite his reputation as one of college football’s premier offensive minds.
The Trojans return veteran quarterback Jayden Maiava along with one of Riley’s most experienced rosters, giving USC what many believe is its best opportunity yet to compete for a CFP berth. That expectation is precisely why the pressure has intensified, and another season that falls short of the CFP may leave university leadership asking themselves whether Riley can deliver championships rather than simply winning games.
The reality is Riley probably isn’t coaching for his job in the same sense as Fickell or Locksley. But at a program with high expectations every year, failing to reach the expanded CFP again would undoubtedly raise difficult questions about USC’s long-term direction under his leadership.
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos