CBS Sports has released its annual list of five college basketball coaches entering the 2026-27 season on the hot seat, highlighting programs where expectations are not being met despite significant investment.
Penny Hardaway, Memphis
Hardaway enters his ninth season with a 175-87 record at Memphis, but the Tigers finished 13-19 last season, the program's worst since 1970. Season-ticket sales have dropped below 2,000 in an NBA arena, and Memphis has not reached the Sweet 16 since 2009. Hardaway has one conference championship in eight years; another miss could jeopardize his return for a tenth season.
Porter Moser, Oklahoma
Moser, a 2018 Final Four participant with Loyola Chicago, is 95-75 in five years at Oklahoma with only one NCAA Tournament appearance. The Sooners have finished tied for 13th and 11th in the SEC since joining the conference. With one year left on his contract after 2026-27 and a new athletic director, Roger Denny, a similar finish that misses an expanded 76-team NCAA Tournament could prompt a change.
Lamont Paris, South Carolina
Paris is 62-68 in four seasons, including a 6-30 conference record over the past two years with first-round SEC Tournament exits. Despite a reported $15-17.5 million roster investment, KenPom projects South Carolina to finish last in the SEC at 4-14. Anything close to that projection would make a fifth season unlikely.
Mark Pope, Kentucky
Pope is 46-26 in two seasons with Sweet 16 and Round of 32 appearances, but at Kentucky those results are considered underwhelming. His teams finished tied for sixth and seventh in the SEC, while predecessor John Calipari finished outside the top four only once in 15 years. New athletic director J Batt faces pressure from a passionate fanbase expecting Elite Eight-caliber seasons.
Mike Young, Virginia Tech
Young is 124-98 in seven seasons but the Hokies have missed four straight NCAA Tournaments, finishing no better than tied for eighth in the ACC. A contract extension through 2027-28 was viewed as an act of kindness rather than confidence. Another missed tournament would likely end his tenure.
