Hot Seat Rankings: It's "We had a hell of a practice today" season

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Remember last week's rankings when I said someone was getting fired? Well, not a single person got fired! That means we still have a glut of 12-14 coaches who I feel like are on legitimately hot seats as we hit October. Could this finally be the week the 2026 coaching carousel fires up?

HOT SEAT GAME OF THE WEEK

There are a number of games you could put in this spot. This one takes it because Shane Beamer can't afford to drop a home date with Kentucky the week before South Carolina visits The Swamp.

THE RANKINGS

1. Mike Norvell - Florida State (2-2) (Last week: 1)

Florida State's matchup with Central Arkansas should've been a game where the worst-case scenario was the heat on Norvell not getting any higher than it already was. It should've been an opportunity for FSU to let off some steam and build confidence heading into the heart of ACC play. Instead, the Noles lazily cruised to a 34-7 win, with one of the main talking points afterwards being the defensive coordinator apologizing to the offensive backups:

FSU's defense allowed just 3.4 yards per play and 248 total yards, yet committed seven penalties that gave Central Arkansas first downs. Those infractions helped UCA's offense hold the ball for nearly 40 minutes, despite not actually accomplishing much all game. It's the kind of process that makes the result of the game mean little for a fanbase already over the edge.

There's been smoke out of Tallahassee recently about Florida State's leadership keeping Norvell if FSU finishes 6-6 or better. Putting aside the angry mob that scenario will result in, six wins aren't on the table if they don't beat Virginia tomorrow. For what it's worth, Norvell said their Wednesday practice was "outstanding." It's a classic coach-on-the-hot-seat quote - so much so that Norvell wasn't the only one to say it this week.

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2. Bryant Vincent - Louisiana Monroe (0-4) (Last week: 3)

I have to give Bryant Vincent some credit for making positive strides off the field this week. He didn't get mad online at anyone after ULM's 45-17 home loss to Florida Atlantic - at least not on his public account. Unfortunately, his team still can't do much of anything, including tackle:

There isn't a situation in the country as bleak as ULM's right now. They're on a 12-game losing streak dating back to last September, and are 14.5-point underdogs to open Sun Belt play against South Alabama.

3. Dave Doeren - NC State (2-2) (Last week: 2)

A week after orchestrating one of the most spectacular late-game failures of all-time, Dave Doeren nearly pulled off an unprecedented back-to-back. NC State blew a 28-10 halftime lead to Appalachian State, allowing the Mountaineers to tie it at 31 in the fourth quarter, before pulling away for a 41-31 win. In classic hot seat head coach fashion, Doeren spent his postgame and mid-week pressers complaining about criticism:

This is the definition of a man who can't read a room, or the temperature of his fanbase:

Doeren at least has a solid path (on paper) laid out for him the rest of the season, compared to other coaches on the hot seat. NC State avoids Miami, Clemson, Pitt, SMU, and Virginia Tech in ACC play. They catch Louisville at a good time tomorrow with the status of Cardinals' QB Lincoln Kienholz up in the air, and get Wake Forest and Duke at home. I don't think any of that matters in reality, though. Doeren's defiance after a month where NC State's only strong performance came against Richmond makes me believe this is a fragile team ready to splinter at the next bit of adversity they face in ACC play.

4. Shane Beamer - South Carolina (2-2) (Last week: 6)

Shane Beamer is just like Mike Norvell, in that he wants you to know that his team just lit it up in practice:

If South Carolina's going to turn things around over the next two months, they'll have to do it without star DE Dylan Stewart for what might the rest of the season. Beamer suspended him indefinitely after he threw a punch at an Alabama player, plus got into it with Beamer and his coaching staff. Did I mention that South Carolina gave up nearly 500 yards and lost 49-18 to the Tide? He better hope that practice translates into much better play against Kentucky tomorrow.

5.Mike Locksley - Maryland (2-2) (Last week: NR)