8 College Football Coaches Facing Make-It or Break-It Seasons in 2016
In a perfect world, coaches always receive at least four seasons—and maybe a fifth if the team is promising enough—to turn around a program.
But this is college football. No matter the circumstance, winning is expected immediately in this imperfect realm.
Plus, though some coaches notch the victories right away and establish themselves at the school, a couple frustrating losses or string of disappointing seasons often result in grumblings for a change from that long-term leader.
In 2016, several power-conference and Group of Five coaches face a critical moment in their respective tenures: the demand to win. Or they'll probably be hoping another school will call.
Don't Get Too Comfortable
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Craig Bohl, Wyoming Cowboys: The creator of the North Dakota State Bison's current dynasty, Craig Bohl is still working to bring Wyoming out of mediocrity. After a 4-8 campaign in 2014, the Pokes dropped to 2-10 last season. Others have won in Laramie, so Bohl can, too. He's safe. For now.
Dana Holgorsen, West Virginia Mountaineers: Four straight years of less than 10 wins doesn't bode well for Dana Holgorsen. Adding a proven quarterback in Will Grier helps and might keep Holgorsen safe through 2016. Next year's hot seat could be a different story.
Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets: Last season's 3-9 record was probably just an outlier, considering Paul Johnson had never won fewer than six games. But what if it wasn't? Georgia Tech would be tied to about $3 million if it fires Johnson after 2016, per Ken Segiura of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Derek Mason, Vanderbilt Commodores: Defense isn't an issue at Vanderbilt under Derek Mason. That "scoring" thing is a problem. In 2015, Mason hired coordinator Andy Ludwig to lead the offense, which crept from 125th nationally to 117th. Their futures at Vandy may be dependent on significant offensive improvement.
Mike Riley, Nebraska Cornhuskers: Bo Pelini had seven consecutive nine-win seasons but still got canned. How much patience will Nebraska have with Mike Riley if the Cornhuskers repeat five regular-season victories? Probably not a whole lot.
Mark Stoops, Kentucky Wildcats: Money, money, money. According to Mark Story of the Lexington Herald-Leader, the school must pay the remainder of Stoops' contract if he's fired before Dec. 1, 2017. Switching then would cost $6.6 million instead of more than $15 million. Still, Stoops' seat could be blazing.
Paul Haynes, Kent State Golden Flashes
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Before Darrell Hazell's successful two-year stint at Kent State, the program had a streak of six-plus-year tenures with Doug Martin and Dean Pees. Both managed a six-win campaign to keep their job.
Head coach Paul Haynes cannot say the same after three seasons. He's just 9-26 with his best record (4-8) coming in 2013.
Fortunately for Haynes, the Golden Flashes return a ton of everything—including four offensive linemen, most of the offensive production, standout tackler Nate Holley and leading sack-getter Terence Waugh.
The pieces are there. It's time for Haynes to win.
Should that not happen, Kent State will then consider moving on from Haynes. Firing him would cost the school approximately $375,000, according to public documents.
Ron Turner, Florida International Panthers
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Most of Florida International's offense is back, notably quarterback Alex McGough and versatile running back Alex Gardner. The best defensive linemen and cornerbacks are not, however.
Ron Turner is entering a volatile situation with an unstable job.
The former Big Ten Coach of the Year has increased win totals every year. FIU has gone from 1-11 to 4-8 to 5-7 under Turner. You'd think the program would like to keep him.
But three years ago, athletic director Pete Garcia fired Mario Cristobal after going 3-9. It was a strange move, since the Panthers had earned 15 combined victories in the two previous seasons. Garcia's contract is set to expire in October, per David J. Neal of the Miami Herald.
Will Garcia get re-upped and retain Turner? If not, will a new AD want a new coach? The best way to avoid any of those questions is, quite simply, to win. And that's not easy.
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Paul Petrino, Idaho Vandals
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Idaho will leave the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2018. Will the school drop head coach Paul Petrino before then?
The Vandals registered four wins, besting the combined mark (3-32) of the previous three years. But it didn't come without distractions, like when Petrino needed to be restrained when confronting a reporter.
While last season offered hope for the future, any step in the wrong direction might influence Idaho to hire somebody else to lead the program into the Big Sky Conference.
On the flip side, Petrino could garner an FBS offer if the Vandals have a strong year. Perhaps sticking as a head coach at the highest level is more appealing to Petrino, and that would provide a chance.
Darrell Hazell, Purdue Boilermakers
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A recurring theme on this list is money potentially saving jobs.
Hazell coached Kent State during its 11-3 campaign in 2012, and then he accepted a chance to lead Purdue. Through three years, he's barely managed half as many total victories.
Why hasn't the school parted ways with Hazell despite a 6-27 mark? One reason could be the $6.7 million buyout he would've been due, per Mike Carmin of the Indianapolis Star.
The number drops to $4.6 million in December 2016, however. Without a four-win season—and considering the schedule, that's highly unlikely—Hazell could be coaching his final season at Purdue.
Mike MacIntyre, Colorado Buffaloes
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Head coach Mike MacIntyre received a vote of confidence last season when athletic director Rick George said the coach's job was secure for 2016.
Although starting quarterback Sefo Liufau might miss the upcoming campaign, help is supposedly on the way in Texas Tech Red Raiders grad transfer Davis Webb. It's not official yet, though, per the school's official website.
MacIntyre arrived in Boulder following a 1-11 year, which allowed an automatic buffer period. Still, he's 10-27 with three last-place Pac-12 South division finishes in three campaigns.
Colorado has legitimately improved under MacIntyre, but a near-complete absence of success against conference opponents (2-25) can't be acceptable for much longer.
Charlie Strong, Texas Longhorns
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Only one Texas player heard his name called during the 2016 draft. Next year probably won't be different.
That's the roster head coach Charlie Strong inherited, yet his job remains in jeopardy. Unfortunately for him, such is the life for a coach at a program with outlandish expectations.
After beginning just 7-11 in Austin, rumors of a coaching change started to get out of control. Strong quieted them with a stunning win over the Oklahoma Sooners, the eventual Big 12 champion and future College Football Playoff qualifier.
So, instead of a burning seat, Strong occupies an uncomfortable chair. The heat is on, and only eight victories will turn it down. Otherwise, Texas' already-thin patience might expire.
Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M Aggies
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Winning is hard. Winning in the SEC is an arduous task. But Kevin Sumlin's time at Texas A&M might end if he doesn't win this season.
After notching 11 victories during his first season, the Aggies have dropped to 9-4, 8-5 and 8-5. Although it's the program's first four-year streak of eight-plus wins since the mid-90s, Texas A&M has finished no better than .500 in conference play in the last three campaigns.
Sumlin's job may depend on the success of new offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone and transfer quarterback Trevor Knight amidst the loaded Alabama Crimson Tide and LSU Tigers squads.
Texas A&M doesn't need to win a conference title for Sumlin to retain his job, but knocking off some of the SEC's elite is a necessary start.
Les Miles, LSU Tigers
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LSU reportedly planned to fire head coach Les Miles last season. The reaction was largely pro-Miles, and the school caved. But if he can't win with this roster, then would another uprising stop attempt No. 2?
The Tigers return 18 starters and a majority of its production, including Heisman Trophy candidate Leonard Fournette. Additionally, Miles grabbed Dave Aranda, a terrific defensive coordinator.
However, any national success depends on whether or not offensive coordinator Cam Cameron and quarterback Brandon Harris can create a balanced attack. If that doesn't happen, then Alabama could dominate LSU once again.
And five straight losses to the Crimson Tide could be the final straw for Miles in Baton Rouge.
All recruiting information via 247Sports. Stats from cfbstats.com or B/R research. Quotes obtained firsthand, unless otherwise noted.
Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.
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