Solid, Somewhat Safe or Hot Seat: Job Security for All College Football Coaches

As the 2012 season is starting to get closer and closer, coaches around the nation are starting to get things prepared for the upcoming season. 

Some coaches will be making out positional battles on paper, taking a look at the schedule that their team has to go through and in the meantime, not losing focus on the upcoming recruiting class.

While all coaches may have the same types of goals coming into the upcoming season, some are under more pressure to perform then others. 

Here is a look at the coaches around the nation and how their job security ranks between solid, somewhat safe or on the hot seat. 

Air Force: Troy Calhoun

Last years 7-6 record was Troy Calhoun's worst record at Air Force. In his five seasons as head coach, Calhoun is 41-24 and if things continue to decline it could get uncomfortable for him but for now, everything is fine. 

Somewhat Safe

Akron: Terry Bowden

Terry Bowden is starting his first year at Akron. Akron is not a high profile spot so the head coach will get plenty of time to bring his players and his system into place regardless of what happens in 2012.

Solid

Alabama: Nick Saban

Nick Saban is untouchable. Since arriving at Alabama, he has delivered two national titles and continues to help his roster reload instead of rebuild. It would take a long series of bad seasons for Saban to even feel any heat.

Solid

Arizona State: Todd Graham

Todd Graham will be starting his first season at Arizona State this year and while recruits may have questions for him and his loyalty, the administration at ASU feel comfortable with him and will give him time, assuming he takes it.

Solid

Arizona: Rich Rodriguez

Also in the state of Arizona, Rich Rodriguez is in his first year and will be taking over as the Wildcats head man. Rodriguez hopes to bring his spread offense to Arizona and make this a permanent position, unlike his stop at Michigan. 

Solid

Arkansas: John L Smith

John L. Smith knows what he has gotten himself into. It is hard to categorize this job but he is on solid footing because he know he was nothing to lose this year and will be replaced at the end of the season when the program has more time to find a head coach.

Solid

Arkansas State: Gus Malzahn

Gus Malzahn has left Auburn and is taking over Arkansas State. He will have some time to put his system in place and get things going but the Red Wolves will keep the expectations high after he is there for two or three seasons.

Solid

Army: Rich Ellerson

After going 5-7 and then improving to 7-6 in 2010, Army took a step back and went 3-9. If Rich Ellerson is unable to get things turned around in 2012, Army may start to look to replace him. 

Hot Seat

Auburn: Gene Chizik

Gene Chizik helped deliver a national title in 2010 and while last year was a letdown compared to that, the head coach has Auburn in a strong position right now. A win over Alabama this year could really help make things more concrete for Chizik.

Solid

Ball State: Pete Lembo

Last season Pete Lembo led the Cardinals to a 6-6 record. After only a four win season in 2010, Lembo has the Cardinals moving in the right direction and is in no jeopardy of losing his job.

Solid

Baylor: Art Briles

In 2011, the Baylor Bears had an amazing season but much of that success can be credited to quarterback Robert Griffin III. This year, Art Briles must show that he can keep the program moving forward without Griffin in the backfield.

Somewhat Safe

Boise State: Chris Petersen

Chris Petersen has experienced success at Boise State that the school has never seen before. Despite the setback that most feel they will take with the loss of Kellen Moore, Petersen still has strong job security. 

Solid

Boston College: Frank Spaziani

Frank Spaziani has put three seasons in at Boston College and things have begun to go down hill for the Eagles head man. 

Last year Boston College went 4-8 and if he wants to safe his job Spaziani must lead them to a bowl game this year.

Hot Seat

Bowling Green: Dave Clawson

Dave Clawson is in a key season at Bowling Green. It appears he helped the program rebound last year but the school is going to look for him to continue that improvement this season.

Somewhat Safe

Buffalo: Jeff Quinn

For Buffalo, baby steps are enough to help you get more time with the program. Jeff Quinn took the Bulls from two wins in 2010 to three wins in 2011. Taking them to four or five wins in 2012 would make a huge difference for Quinn's job security.

Somewhat Safe

BYU: Bronco Mendenhall

Since arriving at BYU in 2005, Bronco Mendenhall had only one season in which the Cougars failed to reach ten years but 2011 made it two seasons. While Mendenhall hasn't been under the gun at BYU, another lackluster seasons would change that quickly.

Somewhat Safe

Cal: Jeff Tedford

Jeff Tedford has done a great job at Cal but as of late, Tedford is under fire for some less then stellar seasons. If Tedford wants things to get a bit more comfortable at Cal, a nine or ten win season would certainly help.

Hot Seat

Central Michigan: Dan Enos

Dan Enos has been consistent at Central Michigan but not in a good way. In his two years with Central, they have gone 3-9 in both seasons and another 3-9 season may make things uncomfortable for Enos.

Hot Seat

Cincinnati: Butch Jones

After a 4-8 season in 2010, Butch Jones got things turned around quickly as the Bearcats went 10-3 and earned a piece of the Big East title last year. As long as Jones keeps them in the hunt this year, there is no reason to believe his job will be in jeopardy. 

Solid

Clemson: Dabo Swinney

Dabo Swinney and Clemson had a great start to the 2011 season but fell apart late and then got embarrassed in their bowl game. Swinney and the Tigers have the talent to do damage this year and the expectations are high.

Somewhat Safe

Colorado: Jon Embree

In his first season at Colorado, Jon Embree got a rude awakening as Colorado went 3-9 and were unable to be competitive in conference play. While nobody is expecting great things for this season, Embree needs to have this team playing more competitive in 2012. 

Somewhat Safe

Colorado State: Jim McElwain

After spending four years with Alabama as their offensive coordinator, Jim McElwain has been brought on as the head coach of Colorado State. McElwain will have time to get his system in place and for now will not have to worry about job security issues.

Solid

Connecticut: Paul Pasqualoni

Paul Pasqualoni did an okay job last season as he lead the Huskies to a 5-7 record. During the 2012 season, Pasqualoni will be trying to get the Huskies back to a bowl game with the Big East being wide open with the loss of West Virginia.

Solid

Duke: David Cutcliffe

After a 5-7 season in 2009, David Cutcliffe and Duke have dropped to 3-9 over the past two years and things have begun to get hotter for the head coach. While Duke isn't a program known for their football, the program appears to be stuck in neutral making 2012 a big season for Cutcliffe.

Hot Seat

East Carolina: Ruffin McNeill

After two seasons with East Carolina, Ruffin McNeill has been average through those two years. McNeill has led the Pirates to a 11-14 record over the past two years and the program does not appear to be going anywhere fast.

Hot Seat

Eastern Michigan: Ron English

Ron English has done a terrific job of turning things around at Eastern Michigan. Steady improvement season after season has English sitting comfortably with the Eagles.

Solid

Florida Atlantic: Carl Pelini

After spending time helping out the defense and his brother at Nebraska, Carl Pelini is getting his chance as a head man at Florida Atlantic. After the Owls had an awful 2011, Pelini should get plenty of time to figure things out. 

Solid

Florida: Will Muschamp

Will Muschamp left Texas last year and took the Gators to a 7-6 record. While he has time to continue to build his program at Florida, the fans will not be that patient and will need to see improvement in year two.

Somewhat Safe

FIU: Mario Cristobal

Since arriving in 2007, Mario Cristobal has helped rebuild FIU and get things turned around. Last year the Golden Panthers went 8-5 and Cristobal is almost untouchable at FIU.

Solid

Florida State: Jimbo Fisher

Jimbo Fisher has been at Florida State for two years now and while the Seminoles have won 10 games in 2010 and nine games last year, Fisher has yet to help the team met expectations. 

In 2012, the expectations are high and so will be the pressure if they fall short once again.

Somewhat Safe

Fresno State: Tim DeRuyter

Tim DeRuyter has spent time in college football as a coordinator and is finally getting his shot as the head coach of Fresno State. Much like other new coaches, DeRuyter will get time to set his system up and try and move the Bulldogs forward.

Solid

Georgia: Mark Richt

You can never tell how things are going for Mark Richt at Georgia but after leading the Bulldogs to 10 straight wins and an appearance in the SEC title game, he should be sitting in the good graces of the fans but things can turn quickly down in Georgia. 

Somewhat Safe

Georgia Tech: Paul Johnson

Paul Johnson has done a great job of maintaining his system at Georgia Tech and keeping them competitive in the ACC. While it has been a few seasons since they have won the conference, Johnson has nothing to worry about job wise. 

Solid

Hawaii: Norm Chow

After being a career coordinator, Norm Chow is making the move to the island of Hawaii and will be their new head coach. Chow has a track record of success as a coordinator and will be given time to get his system in place at Hawaii. 

Solid

Houston: Tony Levine

Tony Levine stepped in and lead Houston to a bowl win in 2011 and is back as the new head coach for Houston. Levine will be starting without Case Keenum, who graduated at the end of last year, but will be given time to recruit and set up his system.

Solid

Idaho: Robb Akey

Robb Akey and Idaho took a huge step back last year as they saw their wins dip from six to two. If Akey wants to remain in Idaho, the Vandals must get back to competing for a bowl appearance in 2012. 

Hot Seat

Illinois: Tim Beckman

After spending three years at Toledo, Tim Beckman is taking over at Illinois this year. Fans will be keeping a close eye on Beckman and seeing how he handles the step up in competition that he will see in the Big 10.

Solid

Indiana: Kevin Wilson

Year one for Kevin Wilson could not have gone much worse. The Hoosiers only managed one win and the coach is already going to be on a short leash. While Indiana may not be a football power, more is expected than one win.

Somewhat Safe

Iowa: Kirk Ferentz

Since 1999, Kirk Ferentz has been at Iowa and has been doing a good job for the program. While they have not won a conference title since 2004, the Hawkeyes remain competitive and Ferentz's position with Iowa is on solid footing. 

Solid

Iowa State: Paul Rhoads

In three years with Iowa State, Paul Rhoads has kept the Cyclones competitive but they have remained around five or six wins. While stability can be a good thing, for Rhoads, he needs to break the trend and help move the Cyclones forward.

Somewhat Safe

Kansas: Charlie Weis

Charlie Weis has been brought on to take over at Kansas and he will have his hands full. In order to get things turned around Weis will need a couple of years to bring his players and system in to place and even then there are no guarantees . 

Solid 

Kansas State: Bill Snyder

One of the major surprises of last season was the success that Bill Snyder and Kansas State had. As he enters his fourth season of his second tour of duty with the program, Snyder has the Wildcats heading in the right direction.

Solid

Kent State: Darrell Hazell

In one season at Kent State, Darrell Hazell went 5-7 and had a decent start to his career. Most coaches will get three years to put their system in place so as long as Hazell continues to show the program is moving forward then he will be just fine.

Somewhat Safe

Kentucky: Joker Phillips

Joker Phillips is another coach that is running into the issues of doing a good job but not being at a school that will attract talent that can help bring the program to the next level. With a 6-7 and 5-7 under his belt, Phillips must fight through that talent wall.

Somewhat Safe

Louisiana Tech: Sonny Dykes

Sonny Dykes came on at Louisiana Tech in 2010. During his two years, he has improved the team from a 5-7 to a 8-5 record. Another season at eight wins or better should keep Dykes around for a while.

Solid

Louisiana Lafayette: Mark Hudspeth

Last year was a great first season for Mark Hudspeth and Louisiana Lafayette and it ended with a bowl win. After a great first season, Hudspeth is on solid ground right now.

Solid

Louisiana Monroe: Todd Berry

Todd Berry is entering a curtail season as he begins his third season at Louisiana Monroe. So far the results have been below average and Berry must help the Warhawks compete for a bowl spot in 2012.

Hot Seat

Louisville: Charlie Strong

In a wide open Big East, Charlie Strong was able to help Louisville earn a share of the Big East title last year. Despite the title, it was his second straight 7-6 season and in his third year, the coach will need to do more.

Somewhat Safe

LSU: Les Miles

Les Miles has done a great job at LSU and has the Tigers ready for another run at not only the SEC title but National Championship. With the way things are going for Miles, he can sit back and relax when thinking of job security.

Solid

Marshall: Doc Holliday

Doc Holliday is entering his third year at Marshall and has shown that the program is moving in the right direction. From 2010 to 2011, Holliday led the Thundering Herd to two additional wins and a bowl win. As long as things don't fall apart in 2012, he will be fine.

Somewhat Safe

Maryland: Randy Edsall

Despite the fact that it was only one season, going 2-10 was not a great way to start of Randy Edsall's time at Maryland. Edsall must show improvement in 2012 or he will already be on the hot seat.

Somewhat Safe

Memphis: Justin Fuente

Justin Fuente is new to Memphis and will truly have his hands full. Based on the poor track record at Memphis the bar isn't too high and Fuente will get time to put his system into place without worrying about being on the hot seat.

Solid

Miami: Al Golden

Last year was Al Golden's first season at Miami and things didn't go so great as the Hurricanes finished at 6-6. While he still has time to get things turned around, Golden doesn't want to keep the Hurricane fans waiting too long.

Somewhat Safe

Miami (Ohio): Don Treadwell

Last year was a huge step back for Miami of Ohio and it came during Don Treadwell's first season. As Treadwell heads into year two, the RedHawks must improve on 2011's 4-8 record. 

Somewhat Safe

Michigan State: Mark Dantonio

Mark Dantonio has had Michigan State on the brink of a BCS bowl birth the past two seasons. Along with their current win stark over rival Michigan, Dantonio is not going anywhere anytime soon.

Solid

Michigan: Brady Hoke

After one year with Michigan, Brady Hoke was able to not only lead the Wolverines to a win over Ohio State but also guided them to a victory in a BCS bowl game. If Hoke keeps this up, he will be the head man at Michigan for years to come.

Solid

Middle Tennessee: Rick Stockstill

After a 10 win season in 2009, things have gone straight downhill for Rich Stockstill and Middle Tennessee. This will be a big year of Stockstill and if he and the Blue Raiders continue to struggle, he will be heading out of town.

Hot Seat

Minnesota: Jerry Kill

Last year was a crazy first year at Minnesota for Jerry Kill. Along with the 3-9 record, Kill had some on the field health issues that gave the program a scare. With his health in order, the hope is that Kill can get things straightened out on the field. 

Somewhat Safe

Mississippi State: Dan Mullen

While Dan Mullen has helped get things turned around in their rivalry with Ole Miss, he has yet to get the Bulldogs to the next level in the conference. As he enters the fourth year of his time at Mississippi State, Mullen needs to help the Bulldogs take the next step.

Somewhat Safe

Missoui: Gary Pinkel

Gary Pinkel has been the head coach at Missouri since 2001 and is going to be the coach that leads them into the SEC. This is an important time for Pinkel as the next couple of seasons will show if he can handle taking the Tigers to a competitive level in the SEC

Solid

Navy: Ken Niumatalolo

While Niumatalolo has done a good job at Navy, things have gone downhill over the past two seasons. Despite his 32-21 overall record at Navy, Niumatalolo needs to get things turned around to keep his job.

Somewhat Safe

NC State: Tom O'Brien

While NC State only went 8-4 last year, it may have been Tom O'Brien's best coaching job as he helped transition the program to life without Russell Wilson. Assuming he continues along this path, O'Brien has nothing to worry about.

Solid

Nebraska: Bo Pelini

Bo Pelini has done a great job at Nebraska. In four seasons, Pelini is 39-16 overall and now that he has one year in the Big 10 under his belt, fans are hoping that he can lead the team to a conference title.

Solid

Nevada: Chris Ault

The only place that Chris Ault has been the head coach at has been Nevada. Ault is an icon with the program and has earned the right to decide when he will be done with coaching.

Solid

New Mexico: Bob Davie

After being out of coaching for over a decade, Bob Davie is back and is taking over at New Mexico. New Mexico is a team use to not having very successful seasons so Davie will be given plenty of time to try and figure out how to make this program a winner.

Solid

New Mexico State: DeWayne Walker

DeWayne Walker is now entering his fourth year at New Mexico State and while things have not gone well, he is showing that the program may be turning a corner. Last years four wins may have been enough to buy Walker a couple more years of job security.

Somewhat Safe

North Carolina: Larry Fedora

After leading Southern Miss to an impressive conference title win, Larry Fedora cashed in on a job opportunity with North Carolina. The competition will be a step up for Fedora but time is on his side at this point.

Solid

North Texas: Dan McCarney

Dan McCarney has finished one season at North Texas and led the Mean Green to a 5-7 record. The 5-7 finish was an improvement over their 3-9 record in 2010 and if McCarney can push them into a bowl game this year he may earn himself an extension.

Solid

Northern Illinois: Dave Doeren

A conference title and a bowl win in your first year is generally a great way to get into the good graces of your program and that is exactly what Dave Doeren did with Northern Illinois last year. If he keeps that pace up, he will be an ideal candidate for a bigger job.

Solid

Northwestern: Pat Fitzgerald

While Pat Fitzgerald may have Wildcat purple running through his veins, he may have reached a wall that he cannot push this program through. For four straight years, he has led them to a bowl game but has fallen short each time. Time may be running out for Fitzgerald unless he can find a bowl win.

Somewhat Safe

Notre Dame: Brian Kelly

Two straight seasons at 8-5 for Notre Dame is not exactly something that they are going to celebrate. Brian Kelly is now entering his third year as the programs head coach and something has to give. The Irish fans keep expecting to be back in the BCS hunt and Kelly needs to start delivering.

Somewhat Safe

Ohio: Frank Solich

Frank Solich has done a great job at Ohio. In seven seasons, Solich has led the Bobcats to a 50-40 record as well as three division titles. The only thing missing now for Solich is to lead Ohio to a conference title.

Solid

Ohio State: Urban Meyer

Urban Meyer is back and he is taking over at Ohio State. Meyer had long been rumored as the guy who would take over and now that he has, the sky is the limit for the Buckeyes, or at least that is what their fans believe. 

Solid

Oklahoma: Bob Stoops

As long as Bob Stoops continues to produce 10+ win seasons and keep the Sooners in contention for the national title, he has very little to worry about. The only concern that Stoops should have at this point is if the program believes he cannot take them any farther.

Solid

Oklahoma State: Mike Gundy

Mike Gundy and the Oklahoma State Cowboys had an outstanding season last year. The downside for Gundy is his team lost a ton of talent in the offseason and are heading for a step backward. As long as Gundy and the Cowboys can rebound nicely over the next few seasons, everything should be fine for the head coach.

Solid

Ole Miss: Hugh Freeze

After coaching at Arkansas State last year, Hugh Freeze has gotten the call to come coach at Ole Miss. Freeze may have some time to get things turned around but this fan base is hungry for wins and will not cut Freeze much slack if he starts to falter.

Solid

Oregon: Chip Kelly

In three years Chip Kelly has won three straight conference titles and led the Ducks to two Rose Bowls and an appearance in the National Title. Unless your last name is Saban, nobody else in the nation may have better job security than Kelly.

Solid

Oregon State: Mike Riley

Mike Riley has always been a coach that has found a way to get the most that he can out of players. While he has had some success at Oregon State, things haven't been that great these past couple years. While he will have time to turn it around, he needs to do so quickly.

Somewhat Safe

Penn State: Bill O'Brien

Bill O'Brien may have the hardest job in the nation as he takes over at Penn State. The schools knows the challenges that are ahead for O'Brien and will certainly give him a lot of time to stabilize a program that is without Joe Paterno for the first time in decades. 

Solid

Pittsburgh: Paul Chryst

After Todd Graham left Pitt high and dry, they turned to Paul Chryst to take over. Chryst is stepping in as a head coach for the first time in his career and the hope is that he can bring the success he had with Wisconsin over to Pitt.

Solid

Purdue: Danny Hope

With a 7-6 season last year, Purdue and Danny Hope had their best season together. As the coach enters his fourth year with the program he needs to make sure that now that he has led them to a bowl game that he keeps them at that level.

Somewhat Safe

Rice: David Bailiff

In his five years as head coach at Rice, David Bailiff has had one season in which he has led them over a four win total. With back-to-back 4-8 seasons coming into this year, Bailiff needs to find a way to get this program back to a bowl game.

Hot Seat

Rutgers: Kyle Flood

After spending his career as a coordinator, Kyle Flood is now taking over at Rutgers and will have huge shoes to fill as he steps in for Greg Schiano. 

Solid

San Diego State: Rocky Long

8-5 and a fourth place finish in the conference is not what many San Diego State fans had in mind for last year but that is the way that things wrapped up for Rocky Long in his first year. Fans will be looking for improvement in 2012 and Long needs to step up and make sure he delivers that.

Somewhat Safe

San Jose State: Mike MacIntyre

Mike MacIntyre is entering his third year at San Jose State and has really helped this program take huge strides. In 2010, the Spartans went 1-12 but stepped up to 5-7 last year. As long as he doesn't take a step back, MacIntyre has nothing to worry about.

Solid

SMU: June Jones

In 2008, June Jones and SMU went 1-11. Since that season, Jones has led them to a couple of eight win seasons and a seven win season and has made Mustang football relevant for the first time in years.

Solid

South Carolina: Steve Spurrier

Steve Spurrier has done a decent job at South Carolina but last year was the first time he eclipsed the 10 win mark with the program. With a healthy Marcus Lattimore back in 2012, the expectation is a division championship and possibly a conference title.

Solid

South Florida: Skip Holtz

Skip Holtz's South Florida Bulls were a huge disappointment last year. They started out hot but fizzled to a 5-7 finish. This year, the Big East is wide open and if the Bulls fail to challenge, Holtz could be in trouble.

Somewhat Safe

Southern Miss: Ellis Johnson

After what Larry Fedora was able to help this school do last year, Ellis Johnson is stepping into some big shoes. This is Johnson's third stint as head coach and he is hoping that he can be more successful with Southern Miss than he was at other stops along the way.

Solid

Stanford: David Shaw

While last year was his first season as head coach, David Shaw will be judged for what he does this season without Andrew Luck. When you have a player like Luck, he makes any coaches job easier but this will be a season that speaks volumes for Shaw.

Solid

Syracuse: Doug Marrone

Doug Marrone has seen things go from bad to worse back to bad. In three seasons, Marrone is 17-20 and after missing a bowl game last year, Marrone is hopefully that he can once again turn things around for Syracuse.

Somewhat Safe

TCU: Gary Patterson

Since 2000, Gary Patterson has taken TCU to new heights and is now taking them into the Big 12. With a track record of success, the Horned Frogs are in good hands with Patterson at the helm.

Solid

Temple: Steve Addazio

Steve Addazio impressed a lot of people with the way he helped Temple improve during the 2011 season. After a successful 9-4 season, the head coach now faces the challenge of playing in the Big East.

Solid

Tennessee: Derek Dooley

Derek Dooley is entering his third year at Tennessee and things have not gone as planned. In his two seasons, Dooley has gone 6-7 and 5-7 and if the trend continues to go backwards he could be in hot water.

Hot Seat

Texas A&M: Kevin Sumlin

After a great season with Houston, Kevin Sumlin is taking over at Texas A&M. Along with making the jump to a stronger program, Sumlin will have to deal with the increased pressure of the Aggies now playing in the SEC.

Solid

Texas: Mack Brown

Mack Brown may have had a couple of rough seasons since losing Colt McCoy but the head coach is still one of the best in the game and is loved in the state of Texas. Baring anything unforeseen, the head coach will be around for quite a while.

Solid

Texas Tech: Tommy Tuberville

Tommy Tuberville saw the Red Raiders take a big step backward last year. In 2010, Texas Tech went 8-5 but then dropped to 5-7 during the 2011 season. Tuberville needs to right the ship in year three or things could get uncomfortable.

Somewhat Safe

Toledo: Matt Campbell

Matt Campbell did a really good job last year with Toledo, going 9-4 and leading them to a bowl victory. If Campbell can keep this up, he will have great job security with the Rockets.

Solid

Troy: Larry Blakeney

Larry Blakeney hit a snag in the road last year as Troy had a down year and failed to win their conference for the first time since 2005. While this could simply put a blip on the radar, Blakeney wants to make sure he rebounds with a solid 2012 season.

Solid

Tulane: Curtis Johnson

Curtis Johnson is stepping away from the NFL and back into college to coach Tulane this year. The new man will have his hands full as the new head coach at Tulane but will be given plenty of time to start to move things in the right direction.

Solid

Tulsa: Bill Blankenship

Year one for Bill Blankenship at Tulsa was a relative success. Despite the bowl loss, Tulsa still finished 8-5. As he heads into year two, Blankenship knows that a bowl win would go a long way.

Solid

UAB: Garrick McGee

After coaching at Arkansas for the past few years, Garrick McGee is now taking over at UAB. This will be McGee's first head coaching job and the pressure should not be that high while with the Blazers.

Solid

UCF: George O'Leary

Since 2004, George O'Leary has been the head coach at UCF and things don't appear to be heading for a change. Despite a down year in 2011, O'Leary has a track record of success that continues to keep his job safe.

Solid

UCLA: Jim Mora

UCLA needed a change at the top so they went out and hired Jim Mora to take over the Bruins program. This will be Mora's first coaching job at the college ranks so it will be very interesting to see how he handles the change from the NFL. 

Solid

UNLV: Bobby Hauck

2-11 to 2-10 is not the kind of improvement that UNLV fans were hoping to see from Bobby Hauck. As he enters the third year of his contract, Hauck needs to get things turned around or he may be heading out of town.

Hot Seat

USC: Lane Kiffin

The expectations are high for USC and Lane Kiffin this year as they are back to being bowl eligible. While Kiffin has done a good job at USC, he will have to meet the expectations with results this year and try to dethrone Oregon from the top of the conference mountain.

Solid

Utah State: Gary Andersen

During a critical third year at Utah State, Gary Andersen took a big step forward by leading the Aggies to seven wins during the 2011 season. If he can show that wasn't a fluke this year then Andersen should receive an extension.

Somewhat Safe

Utah: Kyle Whittingham

Despite a rough first season in the Pac-12, Utah still had a shot at winning their division at the end of the year. With a year of experience under his belt, Kyle Whittingham and Utah will likely be the main competitor to USC in the south.

Solid

UTEP: Mike Price

Mike Price has been with UTEP since 2005 and appears to be doing a good enough job to stay put. Last year was a fairly average year for Price and UTEP so not much will change this coming season.

Solid

Vanderbilt: James Franklin

James Franklin led Vanderbilt to a bowl game in his first season and has raised the bar for the program. In year two, the goal should not only be getting to a bowl game but now winning one.

Solid

Virginia: Mike London

Mike London was able to double the win total for Virginia from 2010 to 2011. London has done a great job of shifting the culture but a rough 2012 schedule will show how far he has truly brought this program. 

Solid

Virginia Tech: Frank Beamer

Frank Beamer is not going anywhere anytime soon. The head man has been leading Virginia Tech since 1987 and have turned them into a program that competes nationally on a yearly basis. 

Solid

Wake Forest: Jim Grobe

Jim Grobe signed a contract extension through 2016 and appears to be sitting on pretty level ground. It would take a big time issue for Wake Forest to get rid of their head man that came on board in 2001. 

Solid

Washington: Steve Sarkisian

Steve Sarkisian has now coached for three seasons at Washington and the best record he has produced is 7-6. Even worse for Sarkisian is he has failed to beat the conferences top talent and the Huskies fans will only be so patient.

Somewhat Safe

Washington State: Mike Leach

The pirate has landed at Washington State and the intrigue and expectations for Mike Leach are high. With the offense that he can put on the field, Leach may be able to write his own ticket with the Cougars.

Solid

West Virginia: Dana Holgorsen

In his first season at West Virginia, Dana Holgorsen went 10-3 and put together an extremely impressive offense. This year the Mountaineers move to the Big 12 and he has some fans believing that a national title is within their reach.

Solid

Western Kentucky: Willie Taggart

What a turnaround that Willie Taggart has produced at Western Kentucky. In his first season, they went 2-10 and turned things around in 2011 by going 7-5. The huge turnaround should buy Taggart plenty of time as they look to win the Sun Belt conference title. 

Solid

Western Michigan: Bill Cubit

Bill Cubit has been at Western Michigan since 2005 and has done an average job. Since arriving, he has put together a record of 47-39 but has yet to lead them to a conference title or bowl victory.

Somewhat Safe

Wisconsin: Bret Bielema

After back-to-back conference titles, Wisconsin head man Bret Bielema is not likely going anywhere anytime soon. The only knock against the coach is that he has now lost two straight Rose Bowl games, one to TCU and the other to Oregon.

Solid

Wyoming: Dave Christensen

Dave Christensen saw Wyoming slip a bit in 2010 but made a full recovery last year leading the Cowboys to a 8-5 record. Overall Christensen has done well for Wyoming and should continue to help the program grow.

Solid