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Part 1 of 2
The college football coaches that need to win ... now
Phil Steele
It's summer time, but the weather isn't the only thing that gets hot this time of year. Many college football fans are starting to put their head coaches on the hot seat, meaning this had better be a good year, or they could be out of a job.
Here is my list, in alphabetical order, of the 13 unlucky head coaches that are on the hottest seats this season.
Steve Addazio, Boston College: The Eagles are coming off a bowl win and have had three winning seasons in four years. But in today's offensive-minded world, their production of 17.2 and 20.4 points per game the past two years have some folks wanting more. The Eagles are not only 2-14 in ACC play the past two years, but their average conference loss was by 31.5 points per game last year. That's a big reason why their projected win total in Las Vegas right now is just four.
Bret Bielema, Arkansas: I think Bielema is doing a solid job and his Hogs have proven they can stand toe-to-toe with anyone. If they had held on to big halftime leads against Missouri and Virginia Tech, the Razorbacks would be coming off a 9-4 season. But all coaches in the SEC not named Nick Saban could be on this list, as that is whom they're compared to. After opening 2-14 with a rebuilding team in SEC play, he's 8-8 since. Arkansas has only three SEC home games this year and probably needs to make a bowl to keep Bielema employed.
Mark Dantonio, Michigan State: Coming off a playoff berth and five double-digit-win seasons the previous six years, Dantonio rated about a zero on my hot seat list last season. Michigan State stumbled to 3-9 last year, and this offseason, multiple Spartans players have been charged with sexual assault. His inclusion on this list will surprise many, but keep an eye on what happens during 2017, and don't be surprised if there's a change at the end of the year.
Hugh Freeze, Ole Miss: The Rebels put themselves on a one-year bowl ban this year, and with the investigation still continuing, that ban could be extended. After a 10-3 season and top-10 finish in 2015, expectations were raised, but 2016 ended in a thud with a 55-20 upset home loss in the Egg Bowl. Ole Miss finished just 5-7 and didn't make a bowl game for the first time since 2011.
Todd Graham, Arizona State: Graham has talked big since arriving in Tempe, not just about winning the Pac-12 South, but also contending for national titles. He got to 10 wins in 2013 and 2014, but with high expectations the past two years, is now coming off consecutive losing seasons. Arizona State faces my No. 10 toughest schedule, and the Sun Devils need to make a bowl this year.
Paul Haynes, Kent State: Coach Haynes enters the final year of his contract, which is never a good sign, and has an overall record of 12-35 (8-23 in MAC play). He has dealt with his share of tough injuries and luck but will have to pull some upsets this year. If the Golden Flashes play close to what Vegas expects from them -- one casino has them at a win total of 3.5 -- that's probably not good enough to save Haynes' job.
Butch Jones, Tennessee: Jones has done a solid job in taking over a team that had not had a winning record in three years and going 5-7 his first year, then 7-6 in 2014 and 9-4 in 2015. Last year, expectations for his veteran team were to win the SEC East. Despite a down year from other East Division teams, the Vols were derailed by injuries and finished just 4-4 in SEC play, finishing two games back. Fans are tired of hearing how young they are each year, and Jones is just 14-18 in SEC play.
The college football coaches that need to win ... now
Phil Steele
It's summer time, but the weather isn't the only thing that gets hot this time of year. Many college football fans are starting to put their head coaches on the hot seat, meaning this had better be a good year, or they could be out of a job.
Here is my list, in alphabetical order, of the 13 unlucky head coaches that are on the hottest seats this season.
Steve Addazio, Boston College: The Eagles are coming off a bowl win and have had three winning seasons in four years. But in today's offensive-minded world, their production of 17.2 and 20.4 points per game the past two years have some folks wanting more. The Eagles are not only 2-14 in ACC play the past two years, but their average conference loss was by 31.5 points per game last year. That's a big reason why their projected win total in Las Vegas right now is just four.
Bret Bielema, Arkansas: I think Bielema is doing a solid job and his Hogs have proven they can stand toe-to-toe with anyone. If they had held on to big halftime leads against Missouri and Virginia Tech, the Razorbacks would be coming off a 9-4 season. But all coaches in the SEC not named Nick Saban could be on this list, as that is whom they're compared to. After opening 2-14 with a rebuilding team in SEC play, he's 8-8 since. Arkansas has only three SEC home games this year and probably needs to make a bowl to keep Bielema employed.
Mark Dantonio, Michigan State: Coming off a playoff berth and five double-digit-win seasons the previous six years, Dantonio rated about a zero on my hot seat list last season. Michigan State stumbled to 3-9 last year, and this offseason, multiple Spartans players have been charged with sexual assault. His inclusion on this list will surprise many, but keep an eye on what happens during 2017, and don't be surprised if there's a change at the end of the year.
Hugh Freeze, Ole Miss: The Rebels put themselves on a one-year bowl ban this year, and with the investigation still continuing, that ban could be extended. After a 10-3 season and top-10 finish in 2015, expectations were raised, but 2016 ended in a thud with a 55-20 upset home loss in the Egg Bowl. Ole Miss finished just 5-7 and didn't make a bowl game for the first time since 2011.
Todd Graham, Arizona State: Graham has talked big since arriving in Tempe, not just about winning the Pac-12 South, but also contending for national titles. He got to 10 wins in 2013 and 2014, but with high expectations the past two years, is now coming off consecutive losing seasons. Arizona State faces my No. 10 toughest schedule, and the Sun Devils need to make a bowl this year.
Paul Haynes, Kent State: Coach Haynes enters the final year of his contract, which is never a good sign, and has an overall record of 12-35 (8-23 in MAC play). He has dealt with his share of tough injuries and luck but will have to pull some upsets this year. If the Golden Flashes play close to what Vegas expects from them -- one casino has them at a win total of 3.5 -- that's probably not good enough to save Haynes' job.
Butch Jones, Tennessee: Jones has done a solid job in taking over a team that had not had a winning record in three years and going 5-7 his first year, then 7-6 in 2014 and 9-4 in 2015. Last year, expectations for his veteran team were to win the SEC East. Despite a down year from other East Division teams, the Vols were derailed by injuries and finished just 4-4 in SEC play, finishing two games back. Fans are tired of hearing how young they are each year, and Jones is just 14-18 in SEC play.
