College Football Hot Seat Rankings: UCLA's Neuheisel Just Can't Stay Away

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This late in the year you're not going to get much movement at the top of the Hot Seat Rankings, unless of course coaches resign or get fired.

That didn't happen this week, and with just a few weeks left most athletic directors are going to wait until the season is over to make a change.

There are a few new faces in this week's rankings, and some notable ones that aren't listed (Washington State's Paul Wulff, Illinois' Ron Zook and Texas' Mack Brown).

10. Bill Stewart, West Virginia

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Last Week: 8
2010 Record: 7-3

Welcome to Bill Stewart's life.

The West Virginia coach is 7-3 and has a chance to lead the Mountaineers to a Big East title. But if he loses to Pitt on Friday the homegrown coach could lose his dream job.

Even is WVU wins out and finished 9-3, Stewart may be forced to find a new offensive coordinator.

Hot Seat-ometer: 0.5 (on a scale of 1-5)

9. Jim Grobe, Wake Forest

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Last Week: 10
2010 Record: 2-9

Wake Forest has one of the worst offensive units in the nation. To make matters worse, the Demon Deacons have one of the worst defensive groups as well.

That's not a good mix, even in a watered down ACC.

Jim Grobe has worked some magic at Wake Forest, and the odds of him getting fired this season are slim.

But the unrest building over the quick rise and fall of this program could reach a boiling point in 2011.

Hot Seat-ometer: 1.0 (on a scale of 1-5)

8. Rick Neuheisel, UCLA

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Last Week: NR
2010 Record: 4-6

Does anyone really think Rick Neuheisel has done much well since taking over as UCLA's coach in 2008?

It certainly hasn't shown.

Neuheisel is 15-20 at UCLA and that's not good enough to justify his $1.2 million salary.

There may be some who'd like to see Neuheisel kicked off the island, but that will have to wait at least one more season.

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

7. Greg Schiano, Rutgers

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Last Week: NR
2010 Record: 4-6

We all know what an amazing job Greg Schiano has done turning around Rutgers, a dysfunctional football program.

But in an extremely weak Big East this season, Rutgers is at the bottom—a place many involved with the Scarlet Knights thought would not happen.

Schiano has to be frustrated with this season, which has included four close losses by a total of 11 points. But Rutgers just suffered an embarrassing 31-point loss to Cincinnati who is also struggling.

Injuries have ravaged Rutgers, but at some point Schiano has to earn the big money he's making.

Hot Seat-ometer: 2.0 (on a scale of 1-5)

6. Stan Parrish, Ball State

Last Week: NR
2010 Record: 4-8

Stan Parrish's 2010 season is over, but the status of his coaching tenure at Ball State isn't as clear.

It seems he's going to get at least one more season, as he is now evaluating the season, his coaches and current roster.

It's a MAC school that has a little more leeway when it comes to making drastic coaching changes.

Parrish is probably good for one more year.

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

5. DeWayne Walker, New Mexico State

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Last Week: 5
2010 Record: 2-9

DeWayne Walker is using a ton of young players this season as part of a rebuilding project.

At some point, though, the fans want to see progress.

That's not easy to measure this season, but Walker is hoping it shows up in the win column next season.

Hot Seat-ometer: 3.0 (on a scale of 1-5)

4. Steve Fairchild, Colorado State

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Last Week: NR
2010 Record: 3-9

It appears Steve Fairchild will coach at Colorado State again in 2011, but that doesn't mean he doesn't deserve to be on the hot seat.

Fairchild continues to talk about the program heading in the right direction, but the Rams just suffered two embarrassing losses—49-10 to BYU and 44-0 to Wyoming.

He seems to have a lot of community and university support, but if Fairchild doesn't reach at least .500 next season it may be time for a change.

Fairchild's first step might be making some changes to his coaching staff.

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

3. Rickey Bustle, Louisiana-Lafayette

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Last Week: 4
2010 Record: 2-9

It seems pretty likely that Rickey Bustle has just one game left in him as the coach at Louisiana-Lafayette.

Not really the way he wanted a nine-year career to end, but not much has gone according to plan in 2010.

The Ragin' Cajuns are currently suffering through a seven-game losing streak that will likely reach eight when they travel to Louisiana-Monroe this week.

It's still a sad end to a coach that is well liked in the community and did help move the program in the right direction for a few years.

But the time is right for someone new.

Hot Seat-ometer: 4.5 (on a scale of 1-5)

2. Mike Locksley, New Mexico

Last Week: 2
2010 Record: 1-10

New Mexico's second-straight dreadful season under the tyranny of Mike Locksley will come to an end Saturday.

Unfortunately, it will be another butt kicking at the hands of No. 3 TCU.

Maybe Locksley was unprepared for this job, but no one at New Mexico should have to suffer through this any longer.

Time to pull the plug.

Hot Seat-ometer: 5.0 (on a scale of 1-5)

1. Bill Lynch, Indiana

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Last Week: 1
2010 Record: 4-7

Bill Lynch and Indiana can salvage the season with an upset of rival Purdue on Saturday.

It still doesn't look good for Lynch, though.

He has only one year left on his contract, and it's highly unlikely Indiana athletic director Fred Glass gives him an extension.

Ever tried recruiting with one year remaining on your contract and you're rumored to be on the hot seat?

Don't try it Indiana, it's not a recipe for success.

Hot Seat-ometer: 5.5 (on a scale of 1-5)