The school soccer teaching carousel may start heating up because the 2026 season strikes deeper into convention play. USA As we speak’s John Brice up to date his newest Warmth Verify following one other weekend that put a number of high-profile coaches underneath elevated scrutiny.
Maryland’s Mike Locksley headlines the group after one other lopsided loss, whereas Lincoln Riley’s future at USC continues to generate questions regardless of getting into the season with vital expectations. Deion Sanders, Greg Schiano and Invoice Belichick additionally seem on Brice’s listing as their respective packages wrestle to generate constant outcomes in opposition to Energy 4 competitors.
Moreover, Oklahoma’s Brent Venables and South Carolina’s Shane Beamer will not be but within the major group, however Brice included each underneath his “Warming Watch” class. Right here’s a have a look at every coach highlighted by USA As we speak, and why Brice believes the strain is starting to construct.
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Locksley is going through maybe probably the most tough state of affairs on Brice’s listing after Maryland’s downward pattern continued with a 54-3 dwelling loss to UCLA. The Terrapins have now misplaced 18 of their previous 28 video games, however USA As we speak pointed to their lack of competitiveness in opposition to Energy 4 opponents as an excellent better concern.
Because the begin of 2024, Maryland has solely three victories in opposition to Energy 4 groups whereas struggling 13 losses by at the least 10 factors. Locksley beforehand led Maryland to 23 victories from 2021 via 2023, however Brice wrote that this system’s momentum and confidence have disappeared because the losses proceed to mount.
Riley makes a notable look after USC’s outcomes for the reason that center of the 2023 season continued to fall in need of the usual established throughout his first 12 months in Los Angeles. The Trojans opened Riley’s tenure with 17 victories in his first season and a half, however USA As we speak famous they’re simply 22-16 since a 6-0 begin to the 2023 marketing campaign.
Moreover, USC has misplaced 16 video games in opposition to Energy 4 opponents throughout that span and has not defeated Notre Dame since Riley’s first season. Brice additionally reported, citing individuals with direct information, that Riley may probably depart USC with out owing a buyout, including one other wrinkle to a state of affairs he believes may ultimately lead to each side pursuing a contemporary begin.
Sanders stays one of many largest names in faculty soccer, however Brice pointed to Colorado’s file in opposition to major-conference opponents because the central concern surrounding his tenure. The Buffaloes have misplaced 11 of their previous 13 video games in opposition to Energy 4 competitors and are 12-25 in opposition to Energy 4 groups total underneath Sanders, with 14 of these defeats coming by double digits.
Colorado’s newest setback got here in opposition to Baylor, with Sanders additionally benching quarterback JuJu Lewis in the course of the 10-point loss. USA As we speak famous that firing Sanders would presently value Colorado nearly $32 million, making any potential determination costly regardless of Brice’s argument that the outcomes haven’t constantly matched the eye surrounding this system.
A cupcake win over Howard gave Rutgers a break from convention motion, however it did little to alter the broader issues Brice sees surrounding Schiano and the Scarlet Knights. Rutgers has misplaced 10 of its previous 13 video games and has suffered 5 double-digit defeats for the reason that starting of the 2025 season, struggling to determine itself in opposition to Huge Ten and different Energy 4 opponents.
The Scarlet Knights opened 2026 with a stunning loss to UMass earlier than additionally falling to Boston School and USC. Their subsequent alternative comes in opposition to defending nationwide champion Indiana, which means the schedule turns into considerably tougher at a time when Schiano’s crew desperately wants to alter its trajectory.
Belichick’s transition to varsity soccer has already skilled vital turbulence, with North Carolina shedding two main figures from the construction he delivered to Chapel Hill. High defensive assistant Steve Belichick is now not with this system, whereas basic supervisor Mike Lombardi has additionally resigned, leaving additional questions surrounding the operation.
Brice famous that Notre Dame is subsequent on the schedule, giving the Tar Heels one other tough problem as they try to stabilize their season. USA As we speak additionally reported that UNC’s exit value could possibly be $10 million and that, in keeping with business sources, the varsity may probably problem parts of a payout due to circumstances surrounding the departures of Lombardi and Steve Belichick.
Venables landed on Brice’s “Warming Watch” after Oklahoma adopted its 2025 School Soccer Playoff look with a tough begin to the present season. USA As we speak questioned the Sooners’ determination to increase Venables following that playoff berth, notably after Alabama eradicated Oklahoma at dwelling and issues concerning the offense remained unresolved.
These points have continued, with Brice pointing to an offense that has struggled to attain and repeatedly left Oklahoma’s protection on the sector for prolonged stretches. The Sooners nonetheless have time to alter their season, however Brice believes the strain may proceed rising if the offense doesn’t enhance underneath coordinator Ben Arbuckle.
Beamer is one other coach Brice believes may shortly transfer onto the first hot-seat listing if South Carolina’s SEC struggles proceed. The Gamecocks have gifted gamers reminiscent of quarterback LaNorris Sellers and edge rusher Dylan Stewart, each of whom have been considered as potential first-round NFL Draft prospects, however that particular person expertise has not translated into sufficient victories.
South Carolina has been outscored 90-52 via its first two SEC video games this season and has misplaced 9 of its previous 10 convention contests total. Brice’s concern facilities on the rising hole between the roster’s perceived capacity and the outcomes, leaving Beamer with mounting strain to reverse the pattern.
