Every year there is always coaches on the proverbial hot seat. Last year Tyrone Willingham was on the hot seat in Washington. And sure enough the team goes win less, and Willingham receives his pink slip. This year is no different. There are coaches who are on the must win now seat, and their are coaches on the "you will get this year, but not next year" seat. So who's on the hot seat.
Win Now or you are gone!
Al Groh, Virginia: This guy has been on the hot seat for the past five years. But somehow his team wins at the right time and his job is saved. Last year was a disaster for Groh. His team and Duke were the only ACC teams that didn't at least reach a bowl game. So Groh took out his frustrations on his offensive coordinator(also his son) and found a replacement. This year Groh is all out of excuses. The thing about Groh that is amazing, is that he recruits NFL talent to this team, but the offense is inconsistent and the defense has never been able to pick up the slack. And this year he doesn't return enough talent. I think Mr. Groh might be finding another job after the season.
Charlie Weis, Norte Dame: Remember when Weis showed up in South Bend and declared his team will have a "schematic advantage" over every team? I do to! It's nothing new for a coach to be a cocky, blowhard but when you make as much money as Weis and coach were he is at, there is going to be presser. And his "schematic advantage" produced the worst offense in school history, there is going to be some scrutiny. Jimmy Clausen returns for his Junior season, after making huge strides down the stretch last year. Also the Irish have a light-schedule and a team good enough to win this year. If Weis can't get this team to perform up to their expectations, he will be taking his "schematic advantage" back to New England.
Steve Kragthorpe, Louisville: Only three years ago was Louisville a field goal away from playing in the National Title game. Also only three years ago, Kragthorpe was one of the hottest coaching names in the country coming out of Tulsa. Well two well-below expectations type of years can dampen anyone. And that is exactly what has happened to both Kragthorpe and Louisville. After the disastrous 2007 season, Kragthorpe blamed the defense and brought aboard former Michigan defensive coordinator Ron English. Well the defense improved, but the offense struggled which is Kragthorpe's specialty. If Louisville isn't able to at least compete in the weak Big East, Kragthorpe might be returning to Montana.
"You will get this year, but not next year"
Gene Chizik, Auburn: Chizik came into Auburn on the hot seat. His hiring caused a reaction that has not been seen in a while in college football. He was hired at Auburn after never coming close to a winning record in Iowas St. and after the school interviewed Turner Gill. When Gill wasn't hired, we heard people screaming racism toward the school and said that college football will never change. So yeah, Chizik is already on the hot seat. Auburn will give him this year to rebuild, but next year Chizik must get this team back to a bowl game. If he fails, then there will be a lot of people saying "I told you so" about Chizik. And does Auburn want that reaction?
Rich Rodriguez, Michigan: Could this be a "be careful what you wish for" type of hiring? Now I do know Lloyd Carr was going to retire. So I know Michigan didn't push Carr out of the door. But could he have done better last year? Rodriguez was a complete disaster last season. Michigan went 3-9 including a thrashing by Ohio St. and a loss to Toledo. I will say though Steven Threet and Nick Sheridan couldn't play quarterback at Sacramento St. let alone Michigan. But this year is different. Rodriguez finally has the players he needs to run that spread offense, that made him famous at West Virginia. So this year Michigan has to improve, or he could be gone after next year.
Editor's Note: Damn you Clear Channel for firing the entire staff at WDFN in Detroit. Listening to Stoney & Wojo talk about the worst quarterback in the history of Michigan was great. I loved the listeners putting both Threet and Sheridan on the list, even though both quarterbacks haven't even yet played a full season. Just classic stuff, and they have been missed.
Dan Hawkins, Colorado: Besides giving us a classic sound bite(go play Intramurals, brother!), Hawkins has been disappointing in three seasons at Colorado. Injuries devastated the team last year, so hopefully those players can come back and be a huge part of the team. Also some of the players Hawkins recruited haven't exactly panned out. Darrell Scott was suppose to be the next big thing at running back coming out of high school, but he was a huge disappointment as a Freshman last year. He is still considered an elite offensive minded football coach, but their has to be some results on the field.
Lukewarm
Brett Bielema, Wisconsin: Bielema was the hottest coach in the nation a couple of years ago. My how do times change. While he won't be fired this year, not even close, another below par season and Bielema's seat will become real warm in Madison. Too bad legendary coach Barry Alvarez is the school's AD, or the presser wouldn't be mounting.
Bill Snyder, Kansas St: He's been away from the game for three years and it has been six years since K-State was relevant. Just don't expect Snyder to be very friendly towards the media.
Chip Kelly, Oregon: Not only does he have to replace a legend(Mike Bellotti) he will have to hear the name Chris Peterson a lot. Peterson is the coach Oregon fans have wanted for a while now, but Kelly was already put in place. When Oregon travels to Boise St. this year, that game will be huge.
Lane Kiffin, Tennessee: He's already stirred the pot and committed recruiting violations. Boy I can't wait for the college football season!
I can't stand RichRod!
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