SEC Coaches on the Hot Seat—But Not Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer
While Kalen DeBoer’s upcoming 2025 season with Alabama will be a key moment in his coaching tenure, it’s unlikely that even a disappointing year would put his job in jeopardy. Despite some media speculation, DeBoer won’t face serious pressure unless the team continues to underperform into 2026.
DeBoer’s Job is Safe—for Now
Hot seat talk is common in college football, but financial realities often limit how quickly schools can make changes. Alabama’s athletic department, for instance, would face an enormous buyout of around $60 million if it wanted to fire DeBoer after just two seasons—an unlikely scenario, even if the team fails to reach the College Football Playoff again.
Other second-year SEC coaches, such as Mississippi State’s Jeff Lebby and Texas A&M’s Mike Elko, are in similar positions. Their schools are unlikely to cut ties so soon, particularly with buyouts in the $12–20 million range. Elko, in fact, had a promising first year with eight wins.
Other Coaches in Question
Several SEC coaches do face real pressure heading into 2025:
- Sam Pittman (Arkansas): A losing record and a small $9 million buyout make him one of the most vulnerable.
- Hugh Freeze (Auburn): Despite only one year on the job, a $20 million buyout wouldn’t necessarily stop Auburn from making a change.
- Brent Venables (Oklahoma): Though he has a reported $35 million buyout, poor results could still put him at risk.
- Billy Napier (Florida): Sitting at 19-19 after three seasons, he’ll need a winning record to avoid scrutiny. His buyout is around $26 million.
- Josh Heupel (Tennessee): Despite a solid 37-15 record over four years, a disappointing 2025—especially with an easier schedule—could make his modest $6 million buyout more tempting for Tennessee.
As for Mark Stoops at Kentucky, his situation is less clear. The team has declined since a 10-win season in 2021, but Stoops holds the best winning percentage for any Kentucky coach in the past 60 years. His $37 million buyout adds another layer of security.
Coaches Not on the Hot Seat
Alongside DeBoer, several SEC coaches appear secure heading into and likely beyond 2025. These include:
- Kirby Smart (Georgia)
- Steve Sarkisian (Texas)
- Lane Kiffin (Ole Miss)
- Shane Beamer (South Carolina)
- Eli Drinkwitz (Missouri)
Final Thoughts
Despite Alabama’s high standards, DeBoer’s position is stable for now. While another underwhelming season would increase pressure going into 2026, the financial commitment required to make a coaching change keeps him off any immediate hot seat.
