Eight Power 4 college football programs are in dire straits as they head into the 2026 offseason. These teams exhibit signs of dysfunction, ranging from ineffective coaching to poor performance, with little hope of improvement. Coaches like Mike Norvell and Matt Rhule face mounting pressure due to disappointing records and prohibitively expensive buyouts, fueling fan frustration. Programs like Arkansas and Clemson are stuck in a cycle of underachievement, while fledgling teams like Cincinnati grapple with roster instability. This complex landscape reveals the urgent need for significant change across these organizations.

By the Numbers
  • 29 wins combined for Arkansas, Cincinnati, Clemson, Florida State, Mississippi State, Nebraska, UNC, and Wisconsin since 2020.
  • Clemson has only managed eight wins in the 2025 season despite a high rate of returning players.
State of Play
  • Arkansas hired Ryan Silverfield amid skepticism regarding past hiring choices and performance.
  • Clemson’s Dabo Swinney continues to defend his coaching methods despite disappointing seasons.
What's Next

Expect potential coaching changes as fan discontent grows, especially if teams fail to achieve marked improvements in the upcoming season. Higher stakes in recruiting could lead to significant roster overhauls for struggling teams, particularly those in the transfer portal. With upcoming seasons verifying programs' current standings, swift corrective measures may become vital for survival in collegiate football.

Bottom Line

Many Power 4 programs are struggling, needing strategic overhauls in coaching, recruitment, and on-field performance to escape their current predicaments. With increasing financial stakes, these schools must adapt quickly to avoid further decline and fan alienation.