As the first season of the 12-team College Football Playoff approaches, the definition of success and the pressure on coaches are being reassessed. Each coach faces varying levels of expectations ranging from making it to just being happy to be there (pressure meter: 1) to must-win situations (pressure meter: 5).
Ohio State’s coach, Ryan Day, is under immense pressure after losing to Michigan and facing high expectations for a national title. Penn State’s coach, James Franklin, needs to shed his can’t-win-the-big-one label and make a deep Playoff run to silence critics. Notre Dame’s new coach, Marcus Freeman, is expected to deliver a postseason win but faces pressure from fans and a matchup against Indiana in the first round.
Other coaches, such as Dabo Swinney of Clemson and Steve Sarkisian of Texas, are looking to reclaim their championship pedigree. Dan Lanning of Oregon and Josh Heupel of Tennessee are navigating different pressures as well, with varying levels of expectations for success and failure. Rhett Lashlee of SMU faces pressure in recognizing the opportunity to compete at this level while Kirby Smart of Georgia is expected to chase titles every year.
Overall, each coach faces unique challenges and expectations as they navigate the first season of the expanded Playoff format. The pressure meter varies for each coach, with some facing must-win situations and others having more leeway for success. The College Football Playoff promises to be an exciting and high-stakes event for all involved.
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