College basketball coaches may not experience turnover at the same rate as college football coaches, but that is only because of how many games are played. The window to make an impact and establish a winning culture is still limited, and when results lag, pressure rises fast. The ten coaches listed below are facing the most heat as the season enters its second month. They are broken into three tiers to show just how close each is to a potential exit. Now that the seats are warmed up, let’s get into it.
Scalding: Most Likely Gone If This Year Disappoints
Earl Grant, Boston College
Grant’s tenure in Boston has been underwhelming. Now in his fifth year, he has only produced one NIT appearance in 2023-2024. A lack of recruiting momentum combined with no personal ties to the area could push Boston College to move on, especially with the ACC being so top heavy.
Bobby Hurley, Arizona State
While his brother Dan has become one of basketball’s premier coaches, Bobby has lived in perpetual hot seat territory at ASU. He has only reached three NCAA tournaments since 2015 and has lost twelve high level players to the transfer portal, including potential lottery pick Jayden Quaintance. This is the final year of his contract and it is difficult to envision a scenario where the deal is renewed.
Mike Young, Virginia Tech
Young’s six year run has been a steady decline. He started strong with two tournament appearances and an ACC Tournament title, but he never advanced past the Round of 64 and has not returned to the Big Dance since. Weak recruiting classes and limited program momentum place him in real danger.
Hot: Don’t Be Surprised
Johnny Dawkins, UCF
Dawkins is not quite on red alert, but the pressure is building. He has yet to make the NCAA Tournament at UCF and his teams have routinely struggled in conference play. Without a meaningful step forward soon, his long term future will be in question.
Matt McMahon, LSU
The SEC sent a historic 14 teams to the NCAA Tournament last year, but LSU was not one of them. Transitioning from Will Wade’s tenure was always going to be messy, but McMahon has been poor in SEC play and the constant roster turnover is alarming. A $7.5 million buyout is manageable for a school with LSU’s resources.
Wes Miller, Cincinnati
Miller has not produced the conference results Cincinnati fans expect. He is above .500 overall but has only one season with a winning conference record and he has not reached the NCAA Tournament. This year will shape how much time he has left.
Porter Moser, Oklahoma
Oklahoma was one of the 14 SEC teams to make last year’s tournament, but Moser finished below .500 in conference play and relied heavily on a strong early season record. He recruits the portal well, but fans want consistent league results and a second straight NCAA appearance before committing long term.
Warm: Unlikely, But Not Impossible
Adrian Autry, Syracuse
Autry’s slow start has not inspired confidence. A former Orange guard and protege of Jim Boeheim, fans hoped he would seamlessly continue the program’s legacy. Last year’s 14-19 record raised eyebrows, and with Kiyan Anthony arriving, expectations have risen sharply this season.
Jerome Tang, Kansas State
PJ Haggerty transferring in helps, but Tang has not matched the success of his breakout first season. Expectations in Manhattan are the highest they have been in years, and failure to make a tournament run could heat up his seat quickly.
Kim English, Providence
English enters year three with his strongest roster yet, but his coaching flaws remain obvious. He has not built a reliable defense and an even 4-4 start comes on the heels of a 12-20 season. If any coach is likely to jump from “warm” to “scalding”, it is English.
Want more Sandman? Come connect with us here at sandmansports.com/staging/8269/onestopshop
