Week 6 saw some exciting matchups among the best programs in college football. Some head coaches, like the Mustangs' Rhett Lashlee, the Huskies' Jedd Fisch, and the Buckeyes' Ryan Day, are garnering praise for their teams' success in the 2024 season. Meanwhile, others are struggling to maintain their winning momentum and are currently on the hot seat.
Looking back at the Week 6 action, let’s take a look at head coaches who desperately need a win to safeguard their jobs.
#1 Mike Norvell - Florida State Seminoles
The first name should be none other than Florida State's Mike Norvell. The Seminoles went 13-1 overall and 8-0 in the ACC in the 2023 season; however, the 2024 season is a different story.
Norvell's season began with three back-to-back losses, and now the Seminoles are 1-5 after their Week 6, 13-29 loss against their ACC rival, No. 15 Clemson.
Week 6 marked the first time this season that Mike Norvell's team faced a Top 25 opponent, and with six games remaining, they are set to challenge No. 8 Miami and No. 14 Notre Dame.
The road ahead looks challenging for Mike Norvell and fans are already demanding his firing if he fails to make a comeback in the second half of the season.
#2 Hugh Freeze - Auburn Tigers
The Auburn Tigers faced their third straight defeat as they traveled to Athens in Week 6. The No. 5 Bulldogs were on a rampage, taking control of the game in the first half with a 14-3 lead that extended to 31-13 by the end of the game.
Hugh Freeze joined Auburn as the 31st head coach of the program after the 2022 season but managed only a 6-7 losing record in 2023.
This season, he already has four losses, and next week, they face another tough matchup against No. 9 Missouri.
#3 Dave Aranda - Baylor Bears
Dave Aranda joined the Bears in the 2020 season and took the program to new heights after going 12-2 in the 2021 season. However, their performance declined, resulting in a 6-7 record in 2022 and a disappointing 3-9 in 2023.
This season, Baylor started strong with a 45-3 win against Tarleton, but after Week 6, they are 2-4 overall following their recent 43-21 loss against Iowa State.
#4 Trent Dilfer - UAB Blazers
The UAB Blazers suffered one of their worst losses in the history of the program, falling 20-71 against Tulane in Week 6. This game only creates more problems for head coach Trent Dilfer, who joined the program following the 2022 season.
After going 7-6 in 2022, the Blazers declined to a 4-8 record last season. Now, in 2024, they already have four consecutive losses leading up to Week 6, putting Dilfer on the hot seat.
#5 Sonny Dykes - TCU Horned Frogs
After taking the reins of the TCU football program in November 2021, he led the Horned Frogs to an impressive season with a 13-2 overall record and a 9-0 conference record.
However, last year, he faced the same challenges that Mike Norvell is facing this season. In 2023, he suffered seven losses, and now he is 3-3 after losing their Week 6 game against Houston, 19-30.
Florida State Seminoles Fan? Check out the latest Seminoles depth chart, schedule, and roster updates all in one place.