College Football Hot Seat Rankings: Locksley, Wulff, Hawkins, Who Gets It Next?

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At least one coach who has been on the hot seat all season can finally come off for good.

Following Minnesota's sixth consecutive loss (28-17 to Purdue), the university fired embattled coach Tim Brewster. This wasn't a shock to anyone, and probably not to Brewster, who was 15-30 in three-plus seasons. At least one school is looking for a new coach.

So this opens up a spot for someone new. Or it may just mean the return of someone who was fortunate enough to escape for a little while.

Has someone called Colorado's Dan Hawkins yet?

It should also be noted that Eastern Michigan's Ron English earned his first victory (41-38 over Ball State) in his 19th game with the Eagles. He took over a program in serious disarray and finally getting a win should be enough to keep him off the hot seat now.

10. Ron Zook, Illinois

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Last Week: NR
2010 Record: 3-3

Ron Zook is going to be a week-to-week guy all season.

The Fighting Illini have played better than most would have predicted at the beginning of the season, but the loss at Michigan State hurt a little.

A look at Illinois' remaining games and Zook could get off this list for good quickly, as every one is a legitimate victory. That would mean a 9-3 finish and nice bowl game. It's also reasonable to envision a 6-6 finish.

Hot Seat-ometer: 1 (on a scale of 1-5)

9. Bob Toledo, Tulane

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Last Week: NR
2010 Record: 2-4

Bob Toledo has to be feeling some pressure. It looks like the Green Wave are on the way to an eighth-straight losing season.

Tulane also looks like a team that is ill-equipped to compete in Conference USA, especially following a 52-24 loss to Tulsa this past weekend.

The only other realistic victory on the schedule is a final game with Marshall on Nov. 27.

Hot Seat-ometer: 1.5 (on a scale of 1-5)

8. Rich Rodriguez, Michigan

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Last Week: 9
2010 Record: 5-2

Michigan fans have seen this before. Great start and then the Big Ten schedule begins and everything falls apart.

Rich Rodriguez has plenty of time to turn this thing around, and the bye week couldn't have come at a better time. Hopefully it's enough time for QB Denard Robinson to get fully healthy.

The Wolverines have an off week before getting three realistic conference wins at Penn State (Oct. 30), vs. Illinois (Nov. 6) and at Purdue (Nov. 13).

Rodriguez's breaking point may come in the final two weeks against No. 13 Wisconsin and No. 10 Ohio State. He still lacks a signature victory. It's difficult to overlook Rodriguez's 4-15 record in the Big Ten.

Hot Seat-ometer: 2 (on a scale of 1-5)

7. Doug Martin, Kent State

Last Week: NR
2010 Record: 2-4

It hasn't been a good run for Doug Martin since he arrived at Kent State. He has a record of 26-50 and time may be running out.

The Golden Flashes lost to Toledo, 34-21, because the team made too many mental mistakes.

The next two weeks are crucial for Martin as Kent State faces Bowling Green and Ball State — both are winnable games.

Hot Seat-ometer: 2.5 (on a scale of 1-5)

6. Stan Parrish, Ball State

Last Week: NR
2010 Record: 2-5

Stan Parrish has been considered a borderline hot seat candidate all season. But Ball State's overtime loss to previously winless Eastern Michigan pushes him square in the middle of the action.

Just two years ago, Brady Hoke guided the Cardinals to a 12-win season and he landed the San Diego State job. Parrish has struggled to maintain the momentum.

He may be able to avoid getting fired this season, but another two-win season may be too much to overcome.

Hot Seat-ometer: 3 (on a scale of 1-5)

5. Mike Sherman, Texas A&M

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Last Week: 5
2010 Record: 3-3

Texas A&M has lost three games in a row and fans and media alike are questioning coach Mike Sherman's ability to lead the program.

The A&M student newspaper, the Battalion, is calling for Sherman to be ousted, but the former Green Bay Packers coach will likely get a chance to turn it around this season.

An upset of say Nebraska, Oklahoma or Texas may be enough to settle down the natives.

Hot Seat-ometer: 3.5 (on a scale of 1-5)

4. Todd Dodge, North Texas

Last Week: NR
2010 Record: 1-6

Todd Dodge gave it a try. He made the jump from high school to the college game, but the wins just haven't followed.

The Mean Green might get one more win this season (at Western Kentucky on Oct. 30), but a 2-10 season won't save his job.

North Texas should start looking for a coach now.

Hot Seat-ometer: 3.75 (on a scale of 1-5)

3. Dan Hawkins, Colorado

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Last Week: 8
2010 Record: 3-3

Dan Hawkins has skyrocketed up the rankings because he didn't have a very long leash coming into 2010.

Back-to-back losses, including a 31-25 heart breaker to Baylor in Boulder, has got the Hawkins haters out in full force. This includes Colorado media, which is suggesting the university bring Bill McCartney out of retirement (a la Bill Snyder at Kansas State).

It may be a bit unfair, and Hawkins may save his job in the end. The remaining schedule has at least three legitimate victories, which would make the Buffaloes bowl eligible.

Hot Seat-ometer: 4 (on a scale of 1-5)

2. Paul Wulff, Washington State

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Last Week: 3
2010 Record: 1-6

Washington State fans keep saying Paul Wulff will be back for at least one more season because the Cougars administration realizes the challenge of winning at Wazzu.

Maybe they are right, but the losses just keep mounting.

At some point this season the promise has to translate into some wins.

Hot Seat-ometer: 5 (on a scale of 1-5)

1. Mike Locksley, New Mexico

Last Week: 1
2010 Record: 0-6

The only good thing going for New Mexico this week was the fact the Lobos didn't play.

It seems unlikely New Mexico's administration is going to sit back and not do something about one of the worst coaching decisions in history.

Mike Locksley's short tenure has been a complete disaster.

Hot Seat-ometer: 9 (on a scale of 1-5)