In 2025, Brian Kelly and nine other head coaches of college football have the most to prove.

In 2025, Brian Kelly and Nine Other Head Coaches of College Football Have the Most to Prove

College football is a sport of constant change and evolution, where success can be fleeting and every season presents new challenges for head coaches. As we look ahead to the 2025 season, several high-profile coaches in college football find themselves at critical junctures in their careers. These coaches have proven themselves in various capacities, but the upcoming season holds greater significance for them. Whether it’s the pressure of living up to high expectations, recovering from disappointing seasons, or attempting to build lasting legacies, these coaches face a great deal of scrutiny in 2025. Among them, Brian Kelly, the head coach of LSU, stands out as one of the key figures under the microscope this upcoming year. Along with Kelly, there are nine other head coaches whose futures in college football will be shaped by the outcome of the 2025 season.

1. Brian Kelly (LSU)

Brian Kelly made waves when he took over as LSU’s head coach in 2022, bringing with him a wealth of experience and success from his time at Notre Dame. In his first season, Kelly quickly showed that he could build a competitive team in the SEC, leading LSU to a 10-win season and a spot in the Citrus Bowl. However, despite the success, Kelly faces an intense pressure to win championships, especially in one of the toughest conferences in college football.

The 2025 season is pivotal for Kelly. LSU fans expect nothing short of contention for an SEC title and potentially a spot in the College Football Playoff. While his first two years showed promise, Kelly must now prove that he can consistently compete with the heavyweights of the SEC, such as Alabama, Georgia, and Texas A&M. Moreover, LSU has a rich football tradition and high expectations, meaning the pressure to bring a national championship back to Baton Rouge is already palpable.

2. Jim Harbaugh (Michigan)

Jim Harbaugh has built Michigan into one of the most consistent programs in the country since returning to his alma mater in 2015. However, after two straight losses to Georgia in the College Football Playoff semifinals in 2021 and 2022, and with another disappointing performance in 2024, Harbaugh faces intense pressure to finally break through and win a national championship.

Despite regular-season dominance, including big wins over Ohio State, Harbaugh’s inability to secure a national title or even make it to the national championship game has started to wear on Michigan fans and alumni. For Harbaugh to solidify his legacy at Michigan, the 2025 season will be critical. It’s make-or-break for Harbaugh to prove that he can guide the Wolverines past their playoff woes and finally win the biggest prize in college football.

3. Lincoln Riley (USC)

When Lincoln Riley left Oklahoma for USC ahead of the 2022 season, many saw it as a move that could revolutionize college football. The Trojans were immediately competitive in his first year, but the promise of a championship-caliber program has yet to materialize. In 2024, USC had a disappointing finish, falling short of their playoff aspirations and raising questions about Riley’s ability to take the program to the next level in a loaded Pac-12, which is set to become even more competitive as other teams join the conference.

Riley is an offensive mastermind, but his defense continues to be a major point of concern, and it has hampered USC’s championship hopes. The 2025 season will be a critical year for him to prove that USC is on the right track. Riley must show that he can bring a national championship to USC, especially with a program as storied as the Trojans and with the ever-increasing pressure from other powerhouse programs in the West.

4. Mario Cristobal (Miami)

Mario Cristobal arrived at Miami with great expectations after a successful tenure at Oregon, but his time at Miami has been filled with inconsistency and a lack of success. Cristobal has struggled to find stability at quarterback and has failed to restore the program to its former glory. In 2024, the Hurricanes’ disappointing season and failure to compete for an ACC title raised serious concerns about Cristobal’s future.

For Cristobal, 2025 is a make-or-break season. Miami has the resources and recruiting power to become a contender again, but Cristobal must prove he can turn those resources into tangible success. A lack of improvement this season could lead to questions about his ability to lead the program back to national relevance.

5. Dan Lanning (Oregon)

Dan Lanning’s debut season at Oregon in 2022 was solid, but it was far from a championship-caliber performance. Lanning showed promise with a solid recruiting class and an exciting future, but the Ducks have not quite made the leap to become a true contender in the college football playoff conversation. With the increased competition in the Pac-12 and the growing expectations for Oregon to be one of the premier programs on the West Coast, 2025 represents a critical juncture in Lanning’s tenure.

If Oregon wants to remain competitive in a shifting college football landscape, Lanning needs to demonstrate that the Ducks can compete with the best programs in the country, both on the field and in recruiting. A strong showing in 2025 could push Oregon back into the elite tier of college football, but another underwhelming season would force the program to reconsider whether Lanning is the right man to lead them into the future.

6. Steve Sarkisian (Texas)

Steve Sarkisian’s tenure at Texas has been filled with highs and lows. After taking over a Texas program that had struggled for years, Sarkisian showed flashes of brilliance, especially with an offense led by dynamic quarterback Quinn Ewers. However, inconsistency has been a significant issue, with Texas unable to maintain momentum or finish strong in key games.

The pressure on Sarkisian will only grow stronger as Texas transitions to the SEC in 2025. The Longhorns need to prove they can compete at the highest level in the toughest conference in college football. Sarkisian’s ability to recruit elite talent and develop his players will be critical in the coming years, and the 2025 season will be an important test for his future at Texas. Another season without significant success could jeopardize his position.

7. James Franklin (Penn State)

James Franklin has done an admirable job maintaining Penn State’s status as a perennial contender in the Big Ten. However, Franklin has struggled to get over the hump when it comes to beating top-tier teams like Ohio State and Michigan, especially in high-stakes matchups. The Nittany Lions have shown they can compete with the best, but Franklin’s inability to close the deal in big games has led to growing frustration among fans and alumni.

For Franklin, 2025 is a critical year to prove he can get Penn State back into the College Football Playoff and win the Big Ten. If Franklin cannot get past Ohio State and Michigan in the coming seasons, questions about his future at Penn State will continue to swirl. He must prove that his program can compete for national titles, not just stay competitive.

8. Mark Stoops (Kentucky)

Mark Stoops has elevated Kentucky football to heights previously thought impossible for a program that had long been a doormat in the SEC. Under Stoops, Kentucky has become a consistent bowl team, and Stoops has recruited and developed NFL-caliber players. However, Kentucky has yet to break through and contend for an SEC title or major bowl game.

In 2025, Stoops must prove that Kentucky can take the next step. While he has done an excellent job of building a solid foundation, it’s time for Stoops to elevate the program to new heights, especially in a stacked SEC. The Wildcats’ consistent success has earned Stoops credibility, but Kentucky fans will be looking for that elusive breakthrough season where the team can challenge for a division title and a major bowl game.

9. Shane Beamer (South Carolina)

Shane Beamer took over a struggling South Carolina program in 2021 and has done an impressive job of turning it around. With an exciting offense led by Spencer Rattler, Beamer’s squad has shown flashes of brilliance. However, Beamer is still in the process of building the Gamecocks into a true contender in the SEC.

For Beamer, the 2025 season is an important one to prove that South Carolina is no longer a bottom-tier SEC team. The Gamecocks must show that they can consistently compete with the top-tier teams in the conference and secure bowl berths year after year. With growing support from the fanbase, Beamer needs to turn that momentum into tangible results and solidify South Carolina as a program capable of making noise in the SEC.

10. Josh Heupel (Tennessee)

Josh Heupel’s high-flying offense at Tennessee has revitalized the Volunteers program, but the key to long-term success for Heupel lies in consistency and defensive improvement. Tennessee has been impressive offensively, but it has yet to put it all together with a balanced team capable of competing for the SEC title.

Heupel has built a strong foundation at Tennessee, but 2025 represents a crucial year to show that the Volunteers can contend for championships in the competitive SEC. If he can get his team to consistently perform on both sides of the ball, Heupel could solidify Tennessee’s place among the elite programs in college football.