Zach Manoogian
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Will Charlie Strong feel the heat after 2 straight heartbreaking losses?
Zach Manoogian via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
We check in on the hot seat level for coaches across the country, including a few right here in Big Ten territory.
The first month of the college football season is in the books, and after four games, some cold seats are getting warm, and some warm seats are approaching uncomfortably hot. Let's take a look:
The race to follow Tim Beckman
Charlie Strong, Texas
record this year: 1-3
record at Texas: 7-10
possible replacements: Nick Saban, Justin Fuentes, Tom Herman, Chip Kelly, Ah hell, probably everybody right?
We left Strong off the list last week because, honestly, the guy is in his second year and inherited a dumpster fire. But losing at Texas is never going to be acceptable (although the 80's and 90's were a lot leaner than Longhorn fans seem to remember) and Strong is doing a lot of losing. Sure, the last two losses happened because of completely implausible circumstances, but they still count as losses in the standings.
Assistant coaching controversies and discipline issues won't help, and there is little doubt Texas boosters wouldn't be shy to open their pocket books for a consistent winner. Strong needs to right the ship quick here and at least make a bowl game -- that might be enough to get him to year three.
But time is ticking on the former Urban Meyer assistant.
Darrell Hazell, Purdue
record this year: 1-3
record at Purdue: 5-23
possible replacements: Brock Spack, Dino Babers, Drew Brees?
The former Jim Tressel assistant is struggling in year three at Purdue and memories of his miracle season at Kent State are going evermore distant. No one expects Purdue to be challenging for a league title yet, but you've got to beat Bowling Green at home.
If Purdue does choose to turn in a different direction at some point it may be a great landing place for a current OSU assistant, but it's tough to see the Boilermakers going in that direction again after Hazell.
Bret Bielema, Arkansas
record this year: 1-3
record at Arkansas: 11-18
possible replacements: Jeff Brohm, Justin Fuentes, Chris Ash, John L Smith
Another week, another ass-kicking loss for Bert. Sort of.
Despite having his athletic directors support, if the Hogs end up quitting on this year, the pressure will be on Bert. And it might be enough to force Jeff Long to make a change in the hyper-competitive SEC West.
Is it enough to humble, Bert? Probably not.
#Arkansas won as many #SEC games in October 2012 under John L. Smith as it has under Bret Bielema in 2013, 2014 and 2015 combined (2)
— HogStats.com (@HogStats) September 27, 2015
Randy Edsall, Maryland
record this year: 2-2
record at Maryland: 22-32
possible replacements: Chip Kelly, Greg Schiano, Mike Locksley
With Under Armor money backing the program and a move to the Big Ten, expectations are higher than ever at Maryland. Getting blown out by Bowling Green and West Virginia do not meet those expectations. The road for the Terps doesn't get a lot easier with Michigan and trips to East Lansing and Columbus still on the schedule.
Ending the season without a bowl trip could have Edsall packing his bags and this could become one of the more intriguing openings available should certain boosters decide they need to make a big splash with the hire.
George O'Leary, Central Florida
record this year: 0-4
record at UCF: 81-64
possible replacements: Brent Key, Ty Willingham, Randy Shannon, Frank Wilson, Billy Gonzales
It's sort of a shame O'Leary is best known for fudging his resume at Notre Dame, because he's actually had a great career building programs. He is getting up there is age and it's tough to see him regaining the energy it takes to run a non-Power Five program.
O'Leary was named interim athletic director back in June so he may, at the very least, have a strong say in who replaces him, but it's a decision that will likely be happening soon - whether O'Leary is ready or not.
Jim Harbaugh, TTUN
record this year: 3-1
record at TTUN: 3-1
possible replacements: Brian Cook, Dave Brandon, Jim Hackett
The Colts are off to a disappointing 1-2 start and the head coach is feuding with the star quarterback. Michigan wasn't able to score a single point in the second half against BYU. This whole Michigan thing might not be working out. Sounds like it's time for Captain Comeback to take the reigns down in Indy.
Continue reading...
Zach Manoogian via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
We check in on the hot seat level for coaches across the country, including a few right here in Big Ten territory.
The first month of the college football season is in the books, and after four games, some cold seats are getting warm, and some warm seats are approaching uncomfortably hot. Let's take a look:
The race to follow Tim Beckman
Charlie Strong, Texas
record this year: 1-3
record at Texas: 7-10
possible replacements: Nick Saban, Justin Fuentes, Tom Herman, Chip Kelly, Ah hell, probably everybody right?
We left Strong off the list last week because, honestly, the guy is in his second year and inherited a dumpster fire. But losing at Texas is never going to be acceptable (although the 80's and 90's were a lot leaner than Longhorn fans seem to remember) and Strong is doing a lot of losing. Sure, the last two losses happened because of completely implausible circumstances, but they still count as losses in the standings.
Assistant coaching controversies and discipline issues won't help, and there is little doubt Texas boosters wouldn't be shy to open their pocket books for a consistent winner. Strong needs to right the ship quick here and at least make a bowl game -- that might be enough to get him to year three.
But time is ticking on the former Urban Meyer assistant.
Darrell Hazell, Purdue
record this year: 1-3
record at Purdue: 5-23
possible replacements: Brock Spack, Dino Babers, Drew Brees?
The former Jim Tressel assistant is struggling in year three at Purdue and memories of his miracle season at Kent State are going evermore distant. No one expects Purdue to be challenging for a league title yet, but you've got to beat Bowling Green at home.
If Purdue does choose to turn in a different direction at some point it may be a great landing place for a current OSU assistant, but it's tough to see the Boilermakers going in that direction again after Hazell.
Bret Bielema, Arkansas
record this year: 1-3
record at Arkansas: 11-18
possible replacements: Jeff Brohm, Justin Fuentes, Chris Ash, John L Smith
Another week, another ass-kicking loss for Bert. Sort of.
Despite having his athletic directors support, if the Hogs end up quitting on this year, the pressure will be on Bert. And it might be enough to force Jeff Long to make a change in the hyper-competitive SEC West.
Is it enough to humble, Bert? Probably not.
#Arkansas won as many #SEC games in October 2012 under John L. Smith as it has under Bret Bielema in 2013, 2014 and 2015 combined (2)
— HogStats.com (@HogStats) September 27, 2015
Randy Edsall, Maryland
record this year: 2-2
record at Maryland: 22-32
possible replacements: Chip Kelly, Greg Schiano, Mike Locksley
With Under Armor money backing the program and a move to the Big Ten, expectations are higher than ever at Maryland. Getting blown out by Bowling Green and West Virginia do not meet those expectations. The road for the Terps doesn't get a lot easier with Michigan and trips to East Lansing and Columbus still on the schedule.
Ending the season without a bowl trip could have Edsall packing his bags and this could become one of the more intriguing openings available should certain boosters decide they need to make a big splash with the hire.
George O'Leary, Central Florida
record this year: 0-4
record at UCF: 81-64
possible replacements: Brent Key, Ty Willingham, Randy Shannon, Frank Wilson, Billy Gonzales
It's sort of a shame O'Leary is best known for fudging his resume at Notre Dame, because he's actually had a great career building programs. He is getting up there is age and it's tough to see him regaining the energy it takes to run a non-Power Five program.
O'Leary was named interim athletic director back in June so he may, at the very least, have a strong say in who replaces him, but it's a decision that will likely be happening soon - whether O'Leary is ready or not.
Jim Harbaugh, TTUN
record this year: 3-1
record at TTUN: 3-1
possible replacements: Brian Cook, Dave Brandon, Jim Hackett
The Colts are off to a disappointing 1-2 start and the head coach is feuding with the star quarterback. Michigan wasn't able to score a single point in the second half against BYU. This whole Michigan thing might not be working out. Sounds like it's time for Captain Comeback to take the reigns down in Indy.
Continue reading...
