Three ACC coaches who could find themselves on the hot seat

North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick. Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Three ACC coaches who could find themselves on the hot seat

By Daniel Morrison | Last updated May 20, 2026 2:14 PM ET

The ACC is in a unique position in college football. A Power Four conference with excellent history, its teams expect to compete for national championships, while they fall behind the SEC and Big Ten financially, putting pressure on coaches to do more with less.

That can put ACC coaches in a difficult position where some face almost unrealistic expectations. That can quickly put them on the hot seat. In 2025, the ACC had three different coaching changes. However, there could easily have been more and likely will be more coming in 2026.

With that said, several coaches are arguably already on the hot seat in the ACC. That starts, but doesn't necessarily end, with these three coaches.

Mike Norvell, Florida State Seminoles

Now going into his seventh season at Florida State, Mike Norvell has not lived up to expectations with any consistency. Sure, he went 23-4 over the 2022 and 2023 seasons, winning the ACC in 2023, but it's been a steep drop-off since then. In the last two years, Florida State has been just 7-17.

There is a good chance that if Norvell didn't have a massive buyout, reported to be over $58 million if he was fired in 2025, it may have bought him more time. However, games against SMU and Alabama in September could immediately put the Seminoles in a bad spot once again.

Bill Belichick, North Carolina Tar Heels

As an NFL coach, Bill Belichick is arguably the greatest to ever roam the sidelines. As a college coach, he's 4-8 with off-field baggage as it relates to his very prominent girlfriend, Jordon Hudson. If the Tar Heels don't improve in his second season, then North Carolina might be looking to pull the plug on its experiment.

There is every chance that North Carolina starts to click under Belichick. There is a chance his NFL model begins to work, and the Tar Heels make noise in the ACC. At the same time, nobody is predicting much from Belichick and UNC this season. But they'll open in Dublin against TCU for a chance to make a statement.

Dabo Swinney, Clemson Tigers

There is no doubt that Dabo Swinney is the most decorated coach in the ACC today. He's the best coach in Clemson history and one day will be in the College Football Hall of Fame. Swinney also hasn't adjusted well to the NIL and transfer portal era, and tensions seem to be rising at Clemson.

2018, Clemson's last national championship, was a long time ago now, and a 7-6 season in 2025 hurt. In particular, in a season where Clemson had nine draft picks. Only three teams had more. So, it felt like Swinney wasted talent and did so in an era where he's been slow to adapt. That could lead to some attempt to force him out, if not outright fire him, if Swinney has another subpar season.

Daniel Morrison

Dan Morrison is a writer originally from Massachusetts, now residing in Florida. He spent four years at On3, working on the National News Desk there. Prior to that, he’s also contributed at Underdog Dynasty.

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