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belcherboy
Well-Known Member
I don't think ANY of these coaches are even close to being fired (far from it), but expectations are starting to REALLY rise on these coaches in 2017, and could become deafening in 2018 if they fail to deliver next season IMO:
Jim Harbaugh: This may be the last year that Harbaugh can get away with NOT winning a B10 title. If he loses another game to Ohio State AND wins 10 or less games in 2017, the fan base will likely demand big things in 2018 or begin to turn on him. Unfortunately, I think that Michigan will likely be a 9-10 win team in 2017, so 2018 will see a TON of pressure on ole Jim to win something of significance (B10 title and/or playoff spot).
Bob Stoops: After stalling out at the start of last season, with such HIGH expectations going into the season, Bob has to be feeling some big pressure. Having three 11 win seasons, over the past 4 years should be enough to keep the fan base happy, but Stoops just can't seem to get them over the hump, even though their biggest in conference rival has been abysmal over the past 4-5 seasons. If he can manage an upset over Ohio State in week 2, it will SERIOUSLY do him some good with the fan base. With the B12 looking a little bit weaker than the past few seasons (Baylor and TCU have sort of come down to earth since their big runs over the past 3-4 seasons, and Texas will likely be rebuilding again), if Oklahoma can beat Ohio State, they could easily make a run to an undefeated season with OK St probably being the best team outside of Ohio State on their schedule. Even if they lose a close game to Ohio State, they can make a nice run the rest of the season and easily be a playoff team.
Kirby Smart: Most times when a coach takes over a big program, after a coach is fired, the fan base gives them PLENTY of adjustment time. The problem for Smart is that he took over from a coach that averaged OVER 10 wins a season for more than a decade. So even though Georgia fans tired of Richt not winning the big games, he rarely gave Georgia a bad season. Well Smart had a rough season in the eyes of many Georgia fans, even though they still won 8 games in his first season. With all the talent coming back to UGA from last years team, and the impressive recruiting classes he has had the past two signing days, expectations couldn't be much higher for Smart. They have a relatively easy SEC schedule next season (Only play Miss St and Auburn from the West), and have one tough early OOC game @ Notre Dame. SEC East championship is a MUST for next season, or Smart is really going to be feeling some pressure in 2018.
Those are the three off the top of my head, what other coaches do you all see that will have some pressure to deliver in 2017, or their rears may begin warming up in 2018.
Jim Harbaugh: This may be the last year that Harbaugh can get away with NOT winning a B10 title. If he loses another game to Ohio State AND wins 10 or less games in 2017, the fan base will likely demand big things in 2018 or begin to turn on him. Unfortunately, I think that Michigan will likely be a 9-10 win team in 2017, so 2018 will see a TON of pressure on ole Jim to win something of significance (B10 title and/or playoff spot).
Bob Stoops: After stalling out at the start of last season, with such HIGH expectations going into the season, Bob has to be feeling some big pressure. Having three 11 win seasons, over the past 4 years should be enough to keep the fan base happy, but Stoops just can't seem to get them over the hump, even though their biggest in conference rival has been abysmal over the past 4-5 seasons. If he can manage an upset over Ohio State in week 2, it will SERIOUSLY do him some good with the fan base. With the B12 looking a little bit weaker than the past few seasons (Baylor and TCU have sort of come down to earth since their big runs over the past 3-4 seasons, and Texas will likely be rebuilding again), if Oklahoma can beat Ohio State, they could easily make a run to an undefeated season with OK St probably being the best team outside of Ohio State on their schedule. Even if they lose a close game to Ohio State, they can make a nice run the rest of the season and easily be a playoff team.
Kirby Smart: Most times when a coach takes over a big program, after a coach is fired, the fan base gives them PLENTY of adjustment time. The problem for Smart is that he took over from a coach that averaged OVER 10 wins a season for more than a decade. So even though Georgia fans tired of Richt not winning the big games, he rarely gave Georgia a bad season. Well Smart had a rough season in the eyes of many Georgia fans, even though they still won 8 games in his first season. With all the talent coming back to UGA from last years team, and the impressive recruiting classes he has had the past two signing days, expectations couldn't be much higher for Smart. They have a relatively easy SEC schedule next season (Only play Miss St and Auburn from the West), and have one tough early OOC game @ Notre Dame. SEC East championship is a MUST for next season, or Smart is really going to be feeling some pressure in 2018.
Those are the three off the top of my head, what other coaches do you all see that will have some pressure to deliver in 2017, or their rears may begin warming up in 2018.