5 ACC football coaches beginning the season on the hot seat

Fighting Gobbler · Jul 20, 2026 11:00 · 3 min read

5 ACC football coaches beginning the season on the hot seat — Florida State head coach Mike Norvell leads practice Thursday, April 9, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Five ACC football coaches begin the 2026 season on the hot seat this fall, including Mike Norvell at Florida State.

The ACC wrapped up its media days last week in Charlotte on Friday, and now all eyes in the conference turn to the 2026 campaign. The league will have four teams play in Week 0, with North Carolina playing TCU in Ireland, Virginia hosting NC State, and Florida State hosting New Mexico State.

The rest of the conference will be held the following weekend with Week 1 games. That includes Virginia Tech hosting VMI in James Franklin's first game as head coach in Blacksburg. With the season right around the corner and camps beginning soon, here are five ACC coaches who begin the season on the hot seat in 2026.

Mike Norvell, Florida State

This one goes without saying. It won't take much of a struggle at any point this year for Florida State to consider ending Mike Norvell's future in Northern Florida. Money is the only reason why he still has a job, for the most part, but Seminoles fans will get frustrated if things head down the same road they did last season.

Dabo Swinney, Clemson

Could Dabo Swinney survive another six-or seven-win season at Clemson? Probably, but there are always going to be whispers if things head down the wrong path for the Tigers. Could he bolt for another job? Sure, anyone could, but Swinney embraces the criticism and runs with it. We'll see what happens this fall.

Dave Doeren, North Carolina State

This is a sneaky one. Now, one reason Dave Doeren is on here is that the Wolfpack have a very favorable schedule this fall. They could be a dark horse team to get to Charlotte in December, but they have a difficult opener against Virginia in Charlottesville. If they win that, it could really set them up for success in the ACC. A loss and it could set up for an interesting fall in Raleigh.

Bill Belichick, North Carolina

This year, Year 2 of Bill Belichick in Chapel Hill, and normally there is no pressure or a hot seat list to be on, but after a disaster in Year 1 that almost saw it end halfway through the season, a full offseason under his belt is what he hopes helps to have a better second season at UNC. They open with TCU again and also play Notre Dame. It's not going to be easy. A four or five win seasons and things could get interesting for Belichick.

Bill O'Brien, Boston College

This one feels like a two-or three-win season in Chestnut Hill could spell the end of Bill O'Brien. He has had some run-ins with the media, which hasn't helped his cause, and BC is investing more in the program and giving him more resources. The Hokies visit the Eagles to open ACC play on Sept. 26.