Five Coaches On The Hot Seat

Rich Rodriguez.  No coach enters 2010 more on the hot seat than Rodriguez.  Forget the NCAA rules infraction violations; this is about wins and losses.  Rodriguez was hired to change the way Michigan played football, and so far the only change has been the losses piling up on him.  Fans and alumni are growing impatient   Year three will prove whether his philosophy can work at UM.  Making matters more difficult is the Big Ten is loaded for the first time since 2005.  The Wolverines play Iowa, Wisconsin, Penn St and Ohio State.  All are likely losses meaning 8-4 is best case scenario.  That may not be enough to save his job.

Rich Neuheisel.  Amazingly, UCLA has had just one ten win season since 2000, going 10-2 in 2005.  Despite the NCAA problems he created at both Washington and Colorado, Neuheisel was successful at both schools.  Like Rodriguez, Neuheisel is his third year, and the clock is ticking to show significant improvement in the program.  With non-conference games at Kansas State and Texas and PAC 10 games at Oregon, Cal and Washington, the Bruins may not finish the regular season above .500 again meaning Neuheisel may not get a fourth year.

Ralph Freidgen.  2009 was a disaster for the Terrapins finishing 2-10.  Friedgen was a hot commodity after winning the ACC in his first season in 2001.  He is 66-46 overall and 4-2 in bowls, but there have been only two good seasons since 2004.  Unfortunately, memories are short in College Park.  Prior to Friedgen’s arrival, Maryland was abysmal. The Terps will be much improved this year, but with a new Athletic Director coming in, anything less than eight wins may cost Friedgen his job. 

Les Miles.  Even though he won a national title just three years ago, Miles is not fully embraced by the Tiger faithful.  Seeing the rise of Alabama under Saban is not helping his cause.  The SEC West is loaded this year as Ol Miss, Miss St, Ark, Bama and Auburn will all be good.  LSU also plays Florida, North Carolina and West Virginia.  With just ten returning starters, the Tigers may struggle to win eight games, and that will mean a new coach will on the sidelines in 2011.

Dan Hawkins.  Right about now, Hawkins is probably thinking he should have stayed at Boise State.  Entering his fifth season at Colorado, Hawkins is16-33 and has just one bowl appearance. Granted, the situation he inherited was a disaster, but there have been very few signs that the program is improving.  With Colorado leaving for the PAC 10 next year, the administration that failed to pull the plug last year may be forced to do it after this season.  Hawkins will need to win the North to save his job.