College Football 2011: Pac-12 Coaches on the Hot Seat

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None of the returning coaches from the Pac-10 are gone, but a whole lot of them are feeling the pressure. Colorado brings in a new coach, but Pac-12 fans won't know the difference.

From former national title winners, to coaches that haven't proven a thing, 2011 will be make or break for six coaches.

While there were no changes made in the 2011 offseason, look for plenty of new faces in 2012.

Mike Stoops

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In Stoops' seven seasons with the Wildcats, Arizona has only once finished above fifth in the conference once.

But not all of the blame can be placed on him. The Wildcats have only once won a Pac-10 conference title and have never made it to a Rose Bowl.

Stoops has a 40-45 record at Arizona and a conference record of 27-34. Arizona has been on the cusp of winning the conference title each of the last three seasons, making the boosters impatient.

Number of needed wins: 7

Not making a bowl game would be the final nail in Stoops' coaching coffin.

Lane Kiffin

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Talk about a guy who hasn’t proved anything as a head coach. How exactly is he making over $4 million a year?

As a head coach in college and the NFL, Kiffin has a record of 20-26. But somehow he has managed to get one of the premiere jobs in the country.

Number of needed wins: 7

USC will likely get way more than seven wins, but if they don’t become bowl eligible Kiffin will be gone with no hesitation.

(Note: USC is still in a 2-year postseason ban)

Jeff Tedford

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It’s really not fair that Tedford is on this list, but that’s the way college football works. The fans and alumni in Berkeley are tired of mediocrity.

Since taking over the reigns in 2002, Tedford has a record of 72-42 in nine seasons with the Golden Bears.

Cal’s fast starts and poor endings have fans restless, and it doesn’t help that rival Stanford has been doing so well the past few seasons.

Number of needed wins: 8

Tedford is a fantastic coach, and if he does get the boot he’ll have plenty of offers elsewhere.

Paul Wulff

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Nobody in their right mind had high expectations for the Washington State football program when Wulff took over in 2008.

But the Cougars have done even worse than expected. In three seasons at the helm, Wulff has a 5-32 record and a pitiful 2-25 record in conference play.

If Wulff wants to keep his job, he’ll need to show dramatic improvement.

Number of needed wins: 6

The Cougars have a very easy non-conference schedule, and making it to a bowl game might save Wulff’s job.

Dennis Erickson

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Erickson has been a disappointment so far in his time in Tempe, AZ. He has been successful at every single one of his collegiate coaching stops, including a national championship with Miami, but his success has not carried over to Arizona State.

In his four seasons, Erickson has a 25-24 record and has only made it to one bowl game (2007). The Sun Devils are in perfect position to strike in 2011, and Erickson will need that to happen.

Number of needed wins: 9

With expectations so high, ASU should win the Pac-12 South and make it to the conference championship game.

Anything less than nine wins won’t go over well.

Rick Neuheisel

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Another coach who has won a national championship. Neuheisel has had very good stops with Colorado and Washington, but returning to his alma mater has not gone as well as he anticipated.

Neuheisel has only guided UCLA to one bowl game in his three years with the Bruins, and has yet to come through with his solid recruiting classes.

Installing a new offensive system might rejuvenate an awful Bruin offense and help get UCLA back in bowl contention.

Number of needed wins: 7

It’s time for Neuheisel to use the blue-chip recruits. The alumni will only play nice for so long.