College football coaches face pressure amid 2026 season

Five weeks into the 2026 college football season, several head coaches are facing increased pressure due to poor performance and difficult upcoming schedules. Some coaches are facing job insecurity due to uneven results, while others are protected by massive contract buyouts that make termination a significant financial risk for their universities.

Maryland coach Mike Locksley is noted as being in a particularly difficult position. Following a series of losses, including a 54-3 defeat to UCLA and a 48-23 loss to Nebraska, Locksley faces a challenging schedule that includes a matchup against Ohio State. The upcoming weeks of ranked opponents and rivalry games are expected to be decisive for many coaches currently on the ‘hot seat’.