Hot Seat: CBS Sports ranks Big 12 Football head coaches' seats from hottest to coolest

Fresh off of Big 12 Media Days in Frisco, Tex., CBS Sports has ranked Big 12 football head coaches’ seats from hottest to coolest. Unlike other conferences, however, there aren’t many contenders in the conference to truly be on the hot seat.

Consistent play and new hires litter the Big 12. That means a change in leadership following this upcoming season would be a little surprising, to say the least. Here are CBS Sports’ rankings from 1-16:

1. Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State Cowboys (169-88)

After 20 seasons in Stillwater, Mike Gundy‘s tenure at Oklahoma State could be coming to an end. This would be a huge change for the program.

“After a prolific playing career and leading the program to 169 victories as a head coach, Gundy is Oklahoma State football,” Athlon Sports wrote in its recent College Football Preview magazine for the 2025 season. “But after last year’s 3-9 record and reworked contract that included a pay cut, it’s clear that Gundy is under some pressure.”

2. Brent Brennan, Arizona Wildcats (4-8)

After just one season, Arizona‘s Brent Brennan is on the hot seat. Brennan, who made the jump from San Jose State to Arizona prior to its 2024 campaign, led the Wildcats to a lowly 4-8 record. Its eight losses came by an average of 23.9 points per game.

“Brennan inherited a roster capable of contending for the Big 12 title,” Athlon Sports wrote. “Instead, the Wildcats regressed to 4-8, with six losses by 20 points or more. Add in a new athletic director who didn’t hire Brennan, and it’s clear that the second-year coach needs to show marked improvement.”

3. Scott Satterfield, Cincinnati Bearcats (8-16)

Cincinnati is entering year three of the Scott Satterfield era and things still look like a mess. The Bearcats are just 8-16 (4-14) over his first two seasons, a far cry from when they made the College Football Playoff in 2021.

“Satterfield was a surprising hire for Cincinnati following a 17-19 record in his final three years at Louisville,” Athlon Sports wrote. “Through two seasons, Satterfield has struggled to find his footing with an 8-16 mark.”

4. Sonny Dykes, TCU Horned Frogs (27-13)

Three seasons removed from taking TCU to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Sonny Dykes could be hanging on the hot seat. Following that 13-2 season, the Horned Frogs are just 14-11 over the past two years.

“It’s crazy to say this about a team who played in the national championship, but this is the season that really matters when it comes to Sonny,” an anonymous Big 12 coach told Athlon Sports. “They built depth and recruited to fill every deficiency on that five-win team. Now what? They have the best signing classes in the league, and that matters because they’re also building NIL to keep the kids they want.”

5. Joey McGuire, Texas Tech Red Raiders (23-16)

Joey McGuire‘s first three seasons have been consistent, as the Red Raiders have won at least seven games in all three years, along with two bowl victories. However, if McGuire doesn’t take Texas Tech to that next level this season, his seat could get a little warm.

“If they’re not a double-digit win team this season, it will be considered a failure,” an anonymous Big 12 coach told Athlon Sports. “It’s hard to know if that’s fair, or if spending like this is a smart long-term strategy.”

6. Dave Aranda, Baylor Bears (31-30)

Dave Aranda and Baylor broke through in his second season at the helm (2021), winning 12 games and the Big 12 Championship. Since then, however, the Bears are just 17-21.

With a strong returning cast, led by quarterback Sawyer Robertson, another disappointing season could turn heads amongst the suits in Waco. The Bears look to avoid that being the case.

Nos. 7-16

7. Scott Frost, UCF Knights (19-7)
8. Rich Rodriguez, West Virginia Mountaineers (60-26)
9. Willie Fritz, Houston Cougars (4-8)
10. Kalani Sitake, BYU Cougars (72-43)
11. Lance Leipold, Kansas Jayhawks (22-28)
12. Chris Klieman, Kansas State Wildcats (48-28)
13. Kyle Whittingham, Utah Utes (167-86)
14. Matt Campbell, Iowa State Cyclones (64-51)
15. Deion Sanders, Colorado Buffaloes (13-12)
16. Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State Sun Devils (14-12)