College Basketball Coaches Hot Seat: Is It Getting Warm in Here?

The college basketball season is preparing to enter March, where the madness of the season will take place. Many teams will be preparing to have that one shining moment in the chance of winning the title, while others wonder what they will do next.

In many cases, "next" is making a coaching change. In looking at the coaches on this list, as well as others that were considered, several themes came to light. They are:

•   What Have You Done For Me Lately? - The coaches in this group have had success in their careers but have seen a significant drop-off in recent seasons. They could be reaching the point where they can no longer rest on their laurels.

•   Please, Can We Go Dancing? - These coaches might have tasted some success, even posting winning records and making trips to the NIT, but the promise of NCAA dancing has yet to be fulfilled.

•   Really, This Is It? - These coaches have had ups and downs, might even had their dancing shoes on at some point, but just are leaving the faithful wondering where things went wrong.

•   This Just Isn't Working Out. - These coaches are in situations that are just not working out. Success has not really happened and it might be time for a change to take place before the coach makes some top 10 list of bad coaches.

•   Bad, Bad Boy...Rules Are to Be Followed. - Success on the court is overshadowed by problems off the court. Only so much can be handled by the faithful and despite winning games, they may be losers off it and shown the door.

The following coaches are on the hot seat for the reasons stated above, so let the list begin.

Bruce Weber: Illinois (2003-Present)

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 13: Head coach Bruce Weber of the Illinois Fighting Illini argues with a call during the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Assembly Hall on February 13, 2011 in Champaign, Illinois. Purdue defeated Illinois 81-70. (Photo by

Reason on the List: What Have You Done For Me Lately?

Record:
•   Prior to 2007: 112-28 (.800), Four NCAA Appearances
•   2007-Present: 78-55 (.591), One NCAA Appearance

Weber was the toast of Champaign when he led the Illini to the National title game back in 2005. Since then, the Illini have only won one game in three NCAA appearances. Last week, Weber received less than a glowing amount of support from AD Ron Guenther so the Illini need to get back into to their winning ways quickly if Weber wants to continue his run with the orange and blue.

Chris Lowery: Southern Illinois (2004-Present)

Travis Lindquist/Getty Images

COLUMBUS, OH - MARCH 18: Head coach Chris Lowery of the Souther Illinois Salukis shouts from the bench during their game against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the second round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 18, 200

Reason on the List: What Have You Done For Me Lately?

Record:
•   Prior to 2007: 78-26 (.750), Three NCAA Appearances
•   2007-Present: 58-64 (.475), One NCAA Appearances

Lowery was on top of the Missouri Conference his first three seasons with two regular season titles and a tournament title under his belt. The Salukis made the NCAA tournament three straight times but since then have only one NIT appearance and one winning record the last four years. With the team sitting at 12-16, the writing may be on the wall as the fans are longing for the taste of victory that has been commonplace the last decade.

Phil Martelli: St. Joseph's (1995-Present)

Chris Chambers/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 08: Head coach Phil Martelli of the St. Joseph's Hawks reacts as he coaches in the second half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Michael J. Hagan Arena on December 8, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris

Reason on the List: What Have You Done For Me Lately?

Record:
•   Prior to 2007: 240-139 (.633) Four NCAA Appearances
•   2007-Present: 56-67 (.455) One NCAA Appearance

Martelli is most remembered for the magical run he had in 2003-2004 with the Hawks, finishing 30-2, and spending time ranked number one. Since then it has been a slow downhill descent for St. Joseph's with it accelerating the past two seasons. Last season the Hawks finished 11-20, the worst in Martelli's tenure, only then to be outdone by this year's squad 7-19 mark with four games to play. It seems that the game is passing this St. Joseph's legend by and the time is approaching for a change.

Sidney Lowe: NC State (2006-Present)

Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 13: Sidney Lowe, head coach of the North Carolina State Wolfpack coaches against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in their semifinal game in the 2010 ACC Men's Basketball Tournament at the Greensboro Coliseum on on March 13, 2010 in

Reason on the List: Please, Can We Go Dancing?

Overall Record: 85-74

Regular Season Conference Championships: Zero

Conference Tournament Championships: Zero

NCAA Tournament Appearances: Zero

NIT Appearances: Two

How would you like to be Herb Sendek? His final five seasons at NC State, he makes the NCAA tournament and gets shown the door. Sidney Lowe has not been close to sniffing the big dance since his first year when he led the Wolfpack to the conference title. How much longer can Lowe live off his glory days at NC State as a player since he has not been bringing the glory as a coach? A poor end to this season might help us find out.

Bill Carmody: Northwestern (2000-Present)

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS - MARCH 12: Head coach Bill Carmody of the Northwestern Wildcats watches game action against the Purdue Boilermakers during the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 12, 2010 in Indianapolis,

Reason on the List: Please, Can We Go Dancing?

Overall Record: 156-173

Regular Season Conference Championships: Zero

Conference Tournament Championships: Zero

NCAA Tournament Appearances: Zero

NIT Appearances: Two

Carmody by Northwestern standards has been a success considering the horrors that have been the team's history over past 20 years (see how bad NU has been: Big Ten Basketball: The Worst Coaches Since 1992), but most would consider them to be mediocre during his tenure.

The Wildcats have almost become the Chicago Cubs of the Big Ten, with a just wait until next year feel around it. But like the Cubs, next year never seems to come as the Wildcats have made two straight NIT appearances, but lost in the first round in both cases.

Streaky play plagues NU this year as they sit at 16-10 at are looking for a three-peat in the NIT, which may not be enough in Evanston.

Pat Knight: Texas Tech (2007-Present)

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 11: Head coach Pat Knight of the Texas Tech Red Raiders reacts while taking on the Kansas Jayhawks during the quarterfinals of the 2010 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the Sprint Center on March 11, 2010 in Kansa

Reason on the List: Please, Can We Go Dancing?

Overall Record: 49-57

Regular Season Conference Championships: Zero

Conference Tournament Championships: Zero

NCAA Tournament Appearances: Zero

NIT Appearances: One

The last name spells success, but that is where the similarity between father and son ends. Knight took over the Red Raiders after his father Bob Knight stepped down with promise that he was going to have some success. Oh how wrong things have been. Many moments of bad hoops have taken place so the Knight name might not be enough to save Pat his job.

Craig Robinson: Oregon State (2008-Present)

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 11: Oregon State Beavers head coach Craig Robinson wipes his brow in the first half against the Washington Huskies during the Quarterfinals of the Pac-10 Basketball Tournament at Staples Center on March 11, 2010 in Los Angeles, Ca

Reason on the List: Please, Can We Go Dancing?

Overall Record: 45-46

Regular Season Conference Championships: Zero

Conference Tournament Championships: Zero

NCAA Tournament Appearances: Zero

NIT Appearances: Zero

Robinson's tenure at Oregon State started out alright with the Beavers winning the CBI. However, since then the Beavers have been 25-34 and have lacked success in the weak Pac-10. Being the brother-in-law of President Obama may not be enough to save Robinson if he cannot turn things around.

Tom Crean: Indiana (2008-Present)

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

BLOOMINGTON, IN - DECEMBER 27: Tom Crean the Head Coach of the Indiana Hoosiers gives instructions to his team during the Big Ten Conference game against the Penn State Nittany Lions on December 27, 2010 at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo

Reason on the List: Really, This Is It?

Overall Record: 28-61

Regular Season Conference Championships: Zero

Conference Tournament Championships: Zero

NCAA Tournament Appearances: Zero

NIT Appearances: Zero

Crean is trying to rebuild the Hoosier program and while most fans know that will take time, there are some that see the lack of an immediate turnaround to be grounds to let him go. The charismatic coach may be able to save himself if he can pull off an upset or two in their final four games (a tough task) or hinder the Illini's bid to the dance. Otherwise, Crean may be undeservingly shown the door.

Keno Davis: Providence (2008-Present)

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

NEW YORK - MARCH 09: Head coach Keno Davis of the Providence Friars looks on from the bench against the Seton Hall Pirates during the first round game of the Big East Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 9, 2010 in New York, New York.

Reason on the List: Please, Can We Go Dancing?

Overall Record: 45-46

Regular Season Conference Championships: Zero

Conference Tournament Championships: Zero

NCAA Tournament Appearances: Zero

NIT Appearances: One

Welcome to the Big East Keno Davis. Davis led the Friars to the NIT in his first year but has not done anything since. It is a challenging position to build up a team when you are in such a powerhouse conference and most of the teams are just reloading. It doesn't appear that he has been able to get together enough firepower to compete so some might want there to be some change.

John Beilein: Michigan (2007-Present)

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS - MARCH 12: Head coach John Beilein of the Michigan Wolverines watches action during the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 12, 2010 in Indianap

Reason on the List: Really, This Is It?

Overall Record: 63-64

Regular Season Conference Championships: Zero

Conference Tournament Championships: Zero

NCAA Tournament Appearances: One

NIT Appearances: Zero

Beilein has lacked consistency with the Wolverines having two losing seasons and two winning seasons.  He has not been able to replicate the success that he had at West Virginia (sound familiar Michigan football fans). Without a late run, he may be joining his fellow Mountaineer coach Rich Rodriguez and be fired from Ann Arbor as a trip to the NIT may not be enough.

John Pelphrey: Arkansas (2007-Present)

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 11: Head coach John Pelphrey of the Arkanasas Razorbacks reacts to a call by the referee against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first round of the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at the Bridgestone Arena on March 11, 2010 in Nashvi

Reason on the List: Really, This Is It?

Overall Record: 67-56

Regular Season Conference Championships: Zero

Conference Tournament Championships: Zero

NCAA Tournament Appearances: One

NIT Appearances: Zero

A lack of success after a trip to the NCAA tournament his first year and players behaving badly off the court (three players with accusations of rape) have led to a less than acceptable journey for Pelphrey. A 16-10 record and an RPI of 114 may lead to Pelphrey having to plead for his job as the Razorback faithful long for the success of the past.

John Giannini: LaSalle (2004-Present)

Reason on the List: Really, This Is It?

Overall Record: 95-112

Regular Season Conference Championships: Zero

Conference Tournament Championships: Zero

NCAA Tournament Appearances: Zero

NIT Appearances: Zero

Giannini has managed to only two winning seasons during his tenure with the Explorers. While La Salle has not had success since 1991-1992 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, the fans deserve much better than what they are currently getting.

Pat Kennedy: Towson (2004-Present)

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

19 Feb 2002: Head coach Pat Kennedy of the DePaul Blue Demons shouts at the referee in a game against the Cincinnatti Bearscats at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Cincinnatti defeated DePaul 79-62. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel/

Reason on the List: This Just Isn't Working Out

Overall Record: 71-141

Regular Season Conference Championships: Zero

Conference Tournament Championships: Zero

NCAA Tournament Appearances: Zero

NIT Appearances: Zero

Kennedy has had zero winning seasons while at Towson and this season looks to potentially be his worst as the Tigers are sitting at 4-23. While Towson has not had a winning record since 1995-1996, they deserve much better than this.

Jim Molinari: Western Illinois (2008-Present)

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - MARCH 08: Interim head coach Jim Molinari of the Minnesota Golden Gophers coaches against the Michigan Wolverines during Day 1 of the Big Ten Men's Basketball Conference Tournament March 8, 2007 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Michig

Reason on the List: This Just Isn't Working Out

Overall Record: 29-57

Regular Season Conference Championships: Zero

Conference Tournament Championships: Zero

NCAA Tournament Appearances: Zero

NIT Appearances: Zero

Molinari had success in previous head coaching stops at Northern Illinois and Bradley, but struggled as the interim coach at Minnesota following the Clem Haskins scandal. Since taking over the Leathernecks, wins have been few and far between. If WIU loses to winless Centenary on Thursday, the nails may be put in his coaching coffin as it would show how far they have to come to be relevant in the Summit.

Ricardo Patton: Northern Illinois (2007-Present)

Chris Chambers/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 18: Head coach Ricardo Patton of the Northern Illinois Huskies reacts as he coaches against the Temple Owls at the Liacouras Center on December 18, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris Chambers/Getty Images)

Reason on the List: This Just Isn't Working Out

Overall Record: 33-80

Regular Season Conference Championships: Zero

Conference Tournament Championships: Zero

NCAA Tournament Appearances: Zero

NIT Appearances: Zero

Patton is not enjoying an inkling of success that he had when he was the head coach at Colorado. In his three plus seasons in DeKalb, two ten-win seasons are the high water mark (they are three wins from matching that this season). When the football team had more wins (eleven) this past season than the basketball team (seven), a change is in order.

Ernie Zeigler: Central Michigan (2006-Present)

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 30: Head coach Ernie Zeigler of the Central Michigan Chippewas reacts during a game against the UNLV Rebels at the Thomas & Mack Center December 30, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. UNLV won 73-47. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Reason on the List: This Just Isn't Working Out

Overall Record: 62-87

Regular Season Conference Championships: One

Conference Tournament Championships: Zero

NCAA Tournament Appearances: Zero

NIT Appearances: Zero

A glance at Zeigler's time at Central Michigan can be called odd. His best season was a 15-15 campaign in 2009-2010 but he won the MAC West regular season title with a 7-9 conference record (12-19 overall). While the Chippewas are used to losing (last winning season was 2002-2003) five mediocre seasons may be enough.

Bruce Pearl: Tennessee (2005-Present)

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

LEXINGTON, KY - FEBRUARY 08: Bruce Pearl the Head Coach of the Tennessee Volunteers gives instructions to his team during the SEC game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena on February 8, 2011 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Ima

Reason on the List: Bad, Bad Boy...Rules Are to Be Followed

Overall Record: 142-57

Regular Season Conference Championships: Three

Conference Tournament Championships: Zero

NCAA Tournament Appearances: Five

NIT Appearances: Zero

Pearl is on the list not for his coaching, but for his actions away from the hardwood. Pearl admitted to making inappropriate recruitment contacts and then gave inaccurate information to NCAA investigator. Pearl has received sanctions including reduction of salary and ability to recruitment. Additionally he was suspended for coaching the first eight SEC games. The NCAA has not finalized the matter yet, and there is no guarantee Pearl makes it to next season.