3 college football coaches on the hot seat after conference championship week ft. James Franklin

Conference championship weekend in college football is an exciting time for fans as teams secure titles in their groups. This weekend had even more at stake in 2024 with the expanded 12-team college football playoff, giving everyone something to fight for.

After the results, who are the three coaches with the hottest seats in college football?

3 college football coaches on the hot seat after conference championship week

#3. James Franklin

Penn State Nittany Lions coach James Franklin has long been criticized for losing big games, especially after his team lost in Week 10 to the Ohio State Buckeyes 20-13.

The Nittany Lions lost 45-37 to the Oregon Ducks in the Big Ten championship game, another result that will put pressure on Franklin as he leads the team into the playoff.

During his postgame news conference, Franklin bemoaned the fact the Ducks seemed to receive better officiating calls which invited ridicule from college football fans.

“I don't want this to come off the wrong way, I give Oregon a ton of credit, but the penalties were pretty lopsided,” Franklin said. “There was a couple calls that we didn't get that I thought we should have. One of the calls that I thought was a critical point in the game was the two-minute drive with a catch on the sideline to Omari, I thought was a catch. Looking on the Jumbotron, it looked like it was a catch."

#2. Mike Gundy

Despite his team not being involved in conference championship weekend, Oklahoma State Cowboys coach Mike Gundy's job security is under threat after an ESPN report Thursday revealed his future was hanging by a thread.

His team started the season 3-0 but lost the final nine games of the season, concluding with a 52-0 blowout loss to coach Deion Sanders' Colorado Buffaloes in Week 14 action.

According to the ESPN report, Gundy and the Cowboys have proposed a restructured salary ($7.75 million), which is to be redistributed as a revenue share with the student-athletes. Gundy's buyout has reportedly also been lowered as a result of the agreement.

#1. Ryan Day

Ohio State coach Ryan Day is perhaps on the hottest seat in college football despite leading the Buckeyes to a 10-2 record in the regular season. The 13-10 loss to the Michigan Wolverines in Week 14 action was his fourth consecutive loss to the Buckeyes' eternal rivals.

Ahead of the playoff, Day is under immense pressure with outspoken ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum making a scathing remark about his future during Tuesday's segment of "ESPN College Football."

"The bottom line is he has to make a serious run. First-round knockout, I'd fire him on the field before he gets to the midfield," Finebaum said. "I still think he probably oughtta go. This guy has been a very good coach, 66-10. But when you lose to your rival every single year, four straight.

"So we're talking about three revenge games and the same result happens, especially this year. It's time to start packing."

Day has another chance to win over Ohio State fans as he leads the team to the expanded playoff. Any result other than a national championship win could revive old wounds as Buckeyes fans still stew over the Michigan result.