College Football 2011: Setting the Bar for Every Head Coach on the Hot Seat
Like any other sport, college football always has its fair share of coaches on the hot seat.
While expectations are higher at some schools than others, there are always coaches who must turn in a big season or say goodbye to their program.
Rich Rodriguez was a perfect example last season, and this year there are more names on the list. These coaches have certain expectations they must uphold, or they could be looking for a job at this time next year.
Here are 10 coaches who may be on the hot seat and what they need to do to keep their jobs in 2012.
10. Greg Schiano, Rutgers
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Greg Schiano stormed onto the scene at Rutgers, and after four losing seasons, he turned the program around and went to five straight bowl games up until last year.
Rutgers finished 4-8 and last in the Big East. They have had a losing conference record three of the past four seasons. Ray Rice is no longer running the ball for Rutgers, and the program has fallen back to where it was before Schiano arrived.
He will need to get Rutgers out of the bottom of the Big East and into a bowl game, or next season may be his last.
Outcome: Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl or bust for Schiano.
9. Mack Brown, Texas
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The University of Texas is not supposed to have losing seasons, and last year the Longhorns finished 5-7.
After playing for a National Championship in 2010, Texas plummeted last year and finished 2-6 in the Big 12.
Brown makes a lot of money and is certainly on the hot seat based on last season's poor performance. If he does not get Texas back near the top of the Big 12, it could be bye-bye in 2012.
Outcome: A berth in the Holiday Bowl might be what Brown needs to keep his job.
8. Les Miles, LSU
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Les Miles has been very successful at LSU over his six seasons in Baton Rouge. He has won one National Championship and taken his team to a Sugar Bowl.
His odd coaching decisions and time management issues are one thing, plus Miles was also recently featured on Outside the Lines about oversigning players.
His nine losses in a two-year span from 2008-2009 are another. Those hurt him, and Miles will need to have a good season to secure his spot for 2012.
Outcome: Capital One Bowl, or Miles may be out at LSU.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
7. Dabo Swinney, Clemson
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Dabo Swinney took over the Clemson program in 2008 after Tommy Bowden resigned. He nearly took the Tigers to a BCS Bowl game in 2009, but last season finished 6-7 overall with a loss in the Meineke Car Care Bowl.
Swinney is known as a great recruiter and Clemson had a ton of talent last season, but had trouble putting it all together and finished 4-4 in conference play.
Swinney may need to have a solid season to keep his coaching job.
Outcome: Champs Sports Bowl, or goodbye Dabo Swinney.
6. Houston Nutt, Mississippi
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Houston Nutt had two good seasons upon his arrival at Mississippi, but last year finished 4-8 overall and last in the SEC with a 1-7 conference record.
Even his 2009 team was disappointing at 9-4. They were ranked as high as No. 4 early in the season, but plummeted once SEC play began.
Nutt must have a big season to keep his job at Ole Miss.
Outcome: Chick-fil-A Bowl, or the end may be near for Nutt.
5. Paul Wulff, Washingon St.
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Since taking over at Washington St. in 2008, Paul Wulff has compiled a total record of 5-32 and has never had more than two wins in a season.
He has won two Pac-10 games over that span—that itself is enough to put him on the hot seat.
Wulff will have to have a .500 season, or his job may be up in the air.
Outcome: Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl, or Wulff may be looking for a job.
4. Mark Richt, Georgia
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Mark Richt has been at Georgia for more than a decade and has had major success. He has been to a bowl game every season, but last year was his worst as a head coach.
The Bulldogs finished 6-7 with a loss in the Liberty Bowl, and they were 3-5 overall in the SEC.
While Georgia has much more talent than last season, another year like 2010 may spell the end for Richt.
Outcome: Outback Bowl, or the end may be near for Richt.
3. Mike Locksley, New Mexico
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Mike Locksley took over the New Mexico program in 2009 and has produced back-to-back 1-11 seasons.
Coupled with that is the fact that an age and sex discrimination lawsuit was filed against him (the claim was later withdrawn). Locksley was also reprimanded in September 2009 for an altercation with an assistant coach and was suspended without pay for 10 days.
His large buyout makes getting rid of him hard, but another 1-11 season will spell the end for Locksley.
Outcome: A berth in the New Mexico Bowl may be Locksley's only savior.
2. Rick Neuheisel, UCLA
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Rick Neuheisel seems to be on the hot seat every season at UCLA.
This year he is not at the top, but comes in at No. 2.
He has a 15-22 record in three seasons at UCLA and finished 4-8 last season. He has never finished higher than eighth in the Pac-10, so finishing in the top half of the conference will be necessary for Neuheisel to keep his job.
Outcome: Holiday Bowl or bust for Neuheisel.
1. Jim Tressel, Ohio State
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Unlike the other coaches on the list, Jim Tressel is on the list for his off-the-field actions and not what he has done on the field.
Tressel has had great success as a coach, but his recent allegations put him as a clear No. 1 on this list.
If Tressel keeps his job for next year, it would be surprising; and if he does, it may take a miracle for him to stay in Columbus through 2012.
Outcome: National Championship or a miracle for Tressel to stay in Columbus.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
