ACC Basketball Coaches Hot Seat Rankings for 2011

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Well, since we are at the start of a New Year, it also the start of the ACC Basketball conference schedule. Most teams have played 14-17 games, so this is approximately the half way of the whole season. Which ACC coaches might want to start getting those resumes ready and which ACC coaches don't have a thing to worry about. Seats will work their way down from on fire to sitting on a throne.

1) Paul Hewitt: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 

There are 53 ACC regular season losses and counting since 2006. Yellow Jacket fans will take up a collection if it will help pay for Hewitt's ridiculous $7 Million buyout. When Georgia Tech only averages 5,000 a home game this year, AD Dan Radakovich might be forced to make a change even with the cost. This year's loss to Kennesaw St. ranked No. 331 in the RPI was humiliating.

Hot Seat Level: On Fire... Fan Apathy is at levels not seen since the early 80s in Atlanta.

2) Sidney Lowe: NC State Wolfpack

Sidney Lowe has coached four full seasons at NC State and he’s never been to a NCAA Tournament. He’s never won more than six ACC regular conference games either. When you coach at NC State, you better win more than 31 percent of your conference games.

Hot Seat Level: If I were Lowe, I’d go ahead and update my resume or find a way to get to the Big Dance this year.

3) Frank Haith : Miami Hurricanes

When you’ve lost 61 ACC games in six seasons, and two games, you’re skating on thin ice. Add to the fact Miami has lost 14 of their last ACC 18 games, and Frank Haith needs a strong finish to this season.

Hot Seat Level: If the season ended today, Frank Haith would be calling up a realtor, but I think Miami is a good team. They’ve beat West Virginia and Mississippi, and I believe they’ll make the NCAAs, which should get Haith into next year. 

4) Jeff Bzdelik: Wake Forest  Demon Deacons

How do you only coach half of a half of season and already get to fourth on the ACC basketball coach hot seat rankings? That happens when your hire was met with skepticism after only two winning seasons in the previous seven. In his last job, he won only 36 games in three years at Colorado. His first year at Wake Forest has been a unmitigated disaster. The Deacs (7-9) have losses to the likes of Stetson, Winthrop, UNC Wilmington and Presbyterian.

Hot Seat Level: I don’t see how Bzdelik is let go after one year, but if he continues down this path, he won’t last long in Winston Salem.

5) Leonard Hamilton: Florida State Seminoles

Leonard Hamilton has had some success at FSU. Two straight 22+ win seasons and two 10-6 ACC conference records in a row. The problem is after 8 years at Florida State, Hamilton has never won an NCAA tournament game. Normally one of the best defensive teams in the country, the offense let’s just say it struggles. There’s an unsightly loss to a very bad Auburn Tiger team.

Hot Seat Level: The natives are getting restless. Is Florida State satisfied with 20 wins a year NIT bids and first round NCAA losses? 

6) Seth Greenburg: Virginia Tech Hokies

This was supposed the year for Seth Greenburg. He had a great backcourt returning featuring ACC player of the year Malcolm Delaney. He won 25 games last year in a year the Hokies should have been selected to the NCAAs. Losing Dorenzo Hudson isn’t Greenburg’s fault, but it is a big blow for a team trying to back to the NCAA Tournament.

Hot Seat Level: The Hokies have only made the Big Dance once during Greenburg’s tenure. Greenburg is in much the same boat as Hamilton. He’ll make you competitive, but that as far as he may be able get you.

7) Tony Bennett: Virginia Cavaliers

Bennett has a big rebuilding job at Virginia, and it’s going to take time. He went 15-16 (5-11) in 2009. The Cavs don’t have great talent, but Tony Bennett is making them competitive. They are 10-6 (1-1) so far on this season. I think an NIT bid would be a positive step forward.

Hot Seat Level: Bennett is improving Virginia, and that’s all you can ask at this point. Ask the Hot Seat question for him in two years.

8) Brad Brownell: Clemson Tigers 

Tiger fans were none too happy when Oliver Purnell departed at the end of last year. On comes Brownell from Wright State, where he won more than 20 games four straight years. It took a few weeks, but it seems Tiger players are taking to Brownell’s half court style. It was a big change from Purnell’s constant pressure D.

Hot Seat Level: I’ve been to two Clemson games including their recent win over Miami, and I like what Brownell is doing. The Tigers are 12-4 (1-1). If he can recruit he’ll be fine.

9) Steve Donahue: Boston College  Eagles

Donahue is his first year at Boston College and has the Eagles off an running to a 12-4 (2-0) to start. He won 72 games in the last three years at Cornell and went to a sweet 16 before arriving in the ACC. BC is one of the best shooting teams in the country.

Hot Seat Level: The early returns look good on Donahue, and Boston College appears to be a good bet to make the NCAAs.

10) Gary Williams: Maryland Terrapins

In the late 90s and early 2000s, Williams had turned Maryland into one of the top programs in College Basketball. He’s won over 450 games with the Terrapins and won the national title in the 2001-2002 season. There are whispers though that Williams reached his peak at Maryland about a decade ago.

Hot Seat Level: When you haven’t won fewer than 19 games since 95-96 season you aren’t going anywhere.  

11) Roy Williams: North Carolina Tar Heels

Until last year's 20-17 (5-11) season, Williams was going toe to toe with Duke's Mike Krzyzewski . He'd even won two National Titles since his arrival at North Carolina in 2003. 2009-2010 was a down season, but Williams is one of the best coaches in the business

Hot Seat Level: Williams would need at least four more seasons like last year, before the question of hot seat even comes up.

12) Mike Krzyzewski: Duke Blue Devils

Coach K has the safest job in America. He's won four National Titles, including one just last year, and he might get a fifth this year. He's a legend.

Hot Seat Level: Hot Seat? No more like a throne made of gold.