Kalen DeBoer, Shane Beamer listed among top 10 coaches with most pressure to win in 2026, per CFB writer
By Ethan Stone
Published:
247Sports writer Brad Crawford revealed his list of the 10 coaches under the most pressure to win heading into the 2026 season. Two SEC coaches are included in this list, South Carolina’s Shane Beamer and Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer.
Beamer comes in at No. 3 on Crawford’s list, with DeBoer sitting at No. 8. Florida State’s Mike Norvell is the top-ranked coach on the list, followed by Wisconsin’s Luke Fickell. Other notable names include Dabo Swinney, Deion Sanders and Bill Belichick.
Here’s Crawford’s full list:
I can certainly understand Beamer’s placement on this list. The Gamecocks’ best season under Beamer so far was in 2024, when South Carolina won 9 games and lost in the Citrus Bowl. I don’t think anyone is expecting a national title at South Carolina next season, but the Beamer has to start winning and winning soon following a 4-8 down year in 2025.
As for Kalen DeBoer, he’s always going to be under pressure. Alabama is not South Carolina. Crimson Tide fans demand excellence, but while Alabama struggled to start last year, it also finished with a College Football Playoff win when it was all said and done.
As it currently stands, Alabama has a 16% chance to win the SEC Championship in 2026. South Carolina’s odds are not listed in the top 10, per Kalshi.
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
