Mark Richt: Richt has done a good job this season after an 0-2 start, and has guided the Georgia Bulldogs to the SEC Championship game. However, even with the success this season, there is still a segment of the fan base that wants Richt gone. It seems some believe this season is a case of fools gold, with the Bulldogs not having to play any of the top SEC West teams, and they are reluctant to give Richt any credit for a good season.
Richt has exceeded what I predicted he needed to do to get off the hot seat, but a victory over LSU in the SEC Championship game will take Richt off the Hot Seat for the foreseeable future. However, a blowout loss could have Richt right back where he started.
- Current Record: 10-2
- Record I predicted needed to stay off hot seat: 8-4 + a bowl win
- Heat Meter: Warm – Red Hot – Nuclear
Tom O’Brien: It seems Tom O’Brien has staved off disaster. With an upset of Clemson and a miracle comeback victory against Maryland, O’Brien has led N.C. State to bowl eligibility and a 7-5 record which is what I predicted he needed to keep his job. However, there are still some in the fan base who will not forgive O’Brien for the Russell Wilson debacle, and he will remain in their dog house until N.C. State consistently challenges for the Atlantic Division title. O’Brien has bought himself another season, but a losing season next year, and he will be done.
- Current Record: 7-5
- Record I predicted needed to stay off hot seat: 7-5 + a bowl bid.
- Heat Meter: Warm - Red Hot – Nuclear
Rick Neuheisel: Rick Neuheisel was just fired by UCLA. Neuheisel did not meet the record I predicted he needed to keep his job.
- Current Record: 6-6
- Record I predicted needed to stay off hot seat: 7-5 + a bowl win.
- Heat Meter: Warm – Red Hot – Nuclear (FIRED)
You’re FIRED!: Coaches who have already been burned by the HOT seat.
- Mike Stoops, Arizona – Just when it looked like he had turned the corner, it all fell apart.
- Mike Locksley, New Mexico – His team was 2-26 during his tenure. Nuff’ said.
- Houston Nutt, Mississippi – Had to go bowling this year to save his job, and wasn’t close.
- Turner Gill, Kansas – Gill didn’t come close to maintaining Kansas as the bowl level team they were under Mark Mangino.
- Ron Zook, Illinois – It seems Zook is on the Hot Seat every season he’s been a Head Coach. He has his moments at Illinois, but just could be consistent.
- Rick Neuheisel, UCLA
- Dennis Erickson, Arizona State – It seemed that Arizona State was on the brink of having a breakthrough season, but they weren’t able to sustain the momentum they had from the beginning. Another example of OK just doesn’t cut it.
- Larry Porter, Memphis – 3-21 record in two seasons just won’t cut it. You no longer get five years any more, people want results immediately, at least more than 3 wins in two years.
It’s Getting HOT in here: Coaches now on the Hot Seat after a season below expectations.
Kevin Wilson (Indiana): Going 1-11 puts you on the hot seat regardless of whether the administration like you or not. For some reason Indiana can’t seem to find a coach who get them to win consistently. Maybe it’s the “Basketball school” thing. But another terrible season, and Wilson might be out of a job.
Mike Riley (Oregon State): After two consecutive losing seasons, Mike Riley is firmly on the hot seat. The good will he’s built up over years has clearly granted him some patience from the Administration, but the Beavers have to be in a bowl gome next season for Riley to save his job.
Will Muschamp (Florida): I know it was just his first season as the Head Coach at Florida, but after finishing 6-6, Muschamp is now squarely on the Hot Seat. The hiring of Charlie Weiss as his Offensive Coordinator has not helped. and legend Urban Meyer has been hired by Ohio State, and everything Muschamp does will be compared to the legend. The Gators must show dramatic improvement next season or Muschaump might be done.
Randy Edsall (Maryland): When he replaced Ralph Freidgen as the Head Coach at Maryland, Randy Edsall was not considered much of an upgrade by the fan base. Yes he had just led UConn to a BCS bowl appearance, but that was in the lackluster Big East, where somebody has to go to a BCS bowl. Freidgen had Maryland in a bowl game, and was the ACC Coach of the Year last year, but still got fired.
Randy Edsall so far in his tenure has alienated the fan base and turned a bowl team into a 2-10 disaster. The state of Maryland is being raided of its top recruits by national programs, and now with the resurgence of Virginia, Mike London is becoming a force in recruiting Maryland as well. Edsall is going to have to do something to get the fan base back on his side in a hurry, or his tenure at Maryland won’t last long.
Brian Kelly (Notre Dame) – The fact is when you’re the Head Coach at Notre Dame you are always on the hot seat, win or lose. Kelly has done OK so far, but OK doesn’t cut it for long at Notre Dame. Kelly is recruiting well, so that will help him. But it’s been a while since Notre Dame has had a consistent winner, and patience is wearing thin.
Derek Dooley (Tennessee) – After two consecutive losing seasons, it seems Derek Dooley may have created a lot of good will after the Lane Kiffin era. But this is Tennessee we’re talking about after all, and good will can only get but so far. The Vols will needs to be competitive in the SEC East next season or Dooley may bein hot water.
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