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12 coaches under the most pressure to make the 12-team playoff in 2024

Which FBS coaches are under the most pressure heading into the 2024 season with expectations that they will lead their programs to the new 12-team College Football Playoffs?

By Sam Fariss

Dec 2, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart.
Dec 2, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart. / Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
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9. Steve Sarkisian

Jan 1, 2024; New Orleans, LA, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian.
Jan 1, 2024; New Orleans, LA, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian. / Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

In 2023, Texas was back… almost. Head coach Steve Sarkisian led the Horns to a third-place regular-season finish and a ticket to the CFP Semifinals. 

But, his Longhorns were no match for the Washington Huskies. Michael Penix Jr. and (now-former) head coach Kalen DeBoer held the Horns to just 31 points and knocked the team out of the playoffs.

After losing by six to UW, Sarkisian was also in the mix for who would take Saban’s place. However, Texas and Sark reached an agreement on a contract extension and he will be staying in Austin until 2030… for now.

Sarkisian is the only head coach who was in the 2023-24 CFPs that stayed at his current position. DeBoer flew to Alabama, Jim Harbaugh left Michigan for the LA Chargers, and Nick Saban retired.

Falling just short of reaching the national title game left Texas fans with an uneasy feeling in their hearts and minds… and Horns fans don’t do well with a coach who can’t win them a title.

If Sarkisian doesn’t at least get Texas back to the CFPs, he will be thanking his lucky stars that he received that extension before the 2024 season.

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