College Football 2011: 9 Coaches Who Have to Be Nervous

Rick Neuheisel knows the facts. So does Ron Zook, Mike Locksley and every one of the 120 FBS coaches.

Last year almost two dozen coaches were replaced, and it's likely the same will happen again this year.

So Neuheisel, Zook and Locksley are a group of about 20 or 30 coaches who enter the 2011 season knowing their job may be on the line.

There's always a few surprise resignations, firings, etc., but here are nine coaches who are the most nervous entering 2011.

9. Mark Richt, Georgia

Despite a decade of success, Mark Richt can't seem to please everyone at Georgia.

Maybe it's just a vocal minority, but Richt knows this season is important to his long-term future in Athens.

If Aaron Murray avoids a sophomore slump and Georgia gets off to a good start with a win over Boise State in the opener, Richt could be on the path to securing another decade with the Bulldogs.

Georgia officials would owe him millions if they get rid of Richt after 2011, but then again it may not matter.

8. Larry Porter, Memphis

Since it's just Larry Porter's second season and he took over a program in serious disarray, he should get more time.

But Memphis was so pitiful last year that it cast a large shadow over his coaching future.

The talent in Memphis is still going to be way behind the rest of Conference USA, so it could be another long season for the Tigers and Porter.

7. Houston Nutt, Mississippi

Because of a large payoff, Houston Nutt is probably safe until at least the end of 2012.

But Nutt had such a positive start at Ole Miss, and now he's trying to figure out what's going wrong.

Last year was such a huge disappointment that Nutt has to be a bit nervous entering the season.

6. Steve Fairchild, Colorado State

After leading Colorado State to a bowl game in his first season, not much else has gone well for Steve Fairchild.

He's coming off back-to-back 3-9 seasons, and if it weren't his alma mater, Fairchild may have been shown the door after 2010.

The Rams' early schedule presents a realistic opportunity to start 4-1. That type of momentum is exactly what Fairchild and Colorado State need.

5. Bob Toledo, Tulane

Bob Toledo was on the hot seat last year, but Tulane improved by one win.

The Green Wave will need to reach a bowl game this season to guarantee Toledo is still among the employed.

Despite Toledo's coaching pedigree, it's hard to look past his 13-35 record in four seasons.

4. DeWayne Walker, New Mexico State

DeWayne Walker can at least brag that the Aggies have defeated rival New Mexico back-to-back years.

Not much else has gone right, though.

New Mexico State has the potential to win five games this season. That's a best-case scenario, though.

Walker would definitely get a lease on his coaching life with five wins.

3. Mike Locksley, New Mexico

Financial issues at New Mexico are probably the reason Mike Locksley is still the coach of the Lobos.

He has gone 2-22 in two years, and the prospects are not much better in 2011.

Thanks to a renegotiated buyout, New Mexico probably won't allow finances to become a deciding factor this year.

Probably the biggest question with Locksley is will he make it through the entire season?

2. Rick Neuheisel, UCLA

Rick Neuheisel made the classic desperate coach move this offseason by replacing his coordinators and a few other coaches.

This move might buy him an additional season through 2012.

However, UCLA officials are growing tired of the high expectations that came with hiring Neuheisel only for him to struggle mightily.

With Pete Carroll off to the NFL and USC under NCAA sanctions, you would think Neuheisel and the Bruins could take advantage of the situation.

Instead, USC is doing better with Lane Kiffin.

1. Paul Wulff, Washington State

Washington State has been committed to Paul Wulff and have shown him a tremendous amount of loyalty.

Wulff has upgraded the talent in Pullman, but the results are still the same. The Cougars went 2-10 last year, and Wulff is 5-32 in three years.

If the Cougars don't get out of the cellar, Wulff's fourth season will likely be his last.

There is a bright spot for Wulff. Washington State could actually win any and all of its first five games.

History tells us this won't happen, though.