College Football: 5 Head Coaches with the Most to Prove in 2011

Several new college football head coaches are feeling the pressure to perform and show fan bases and athletic directors that they were the right hire for the job.

Some of them are entering their second season with high expectations to meet, and must produce results to stay off the hot seat.

Here are five coaches who are dying to please the fans in 2011.

Jimbo Fisher

The second-year Seminole coach was chosen to fill some giant shoes after the legendary Bobby Bowden decided to step down after 34 years as Florida State's head coach.

Fisher led Florida State to a successful 10-win season a year ago, and with 16 returning starters is expecting a big year in Tallahassee.

Fisher seems to be a good motivator and prepares his players well.  If the Seminoles can get by Oklahoma, ranked No. 1 in the USA Today coaches' preseason poll, on September 17th, they should be on the radar as a dark horse BCS Championship contender.

Brady Hoke

Brady Hoke has had success as the head coach at two different universities, however they were both in non-BCS conferences.

Hoke will have his first crack at coaching a premier program when he steps on to the sideline for Michigan against Western Michigan on September 3rd.

Hoke has emphasized how badly he wanted the Michigan job, and wants nothing more than to put a product on the field that Michigan fans can be proud of.

With a renewed focus on the defensive side of the ball, Hoke should have the Wolverines back on the national scene in a few years.

Luke Fickell

Unfortunately for Luke Fickell, I don't think he has much of a chance to retain the head coaching position at Ohio State.

It would take a monumental effort from the Buckeyes for him to remain on the sideline, and considering the current state in Columbus, Ohio State will have several hurdles on their way to a big season.

Fans will more than likely plead for a big name like Urban Meyer or Jon Gruden to take over in 2012, which puts a ton of pressure on Fickell to produce and keep the job.

I don't expect him to be walking the sidelines in Columbus next year, but with good enough results, it could earn him a head coaching position somewhere else in 2012.

(Note: Does anyone else find it ironic that the guy replacing "The Vest" is wearing a vest in this picture?)

Brian Kelly

Brian Kelly took over for the failed Charlie Weis experiment a year ago, and led Notre Dame to an average season.

Despite a bowl victory over Miami, the season didn't really meet the standards set by most Irish fans.  2011 may be much more acceptable as Notre Dame looks poised to possibly win 10 games and compete for a spot in a BCS bowl game.

Kelly typically has much more success in his second year after taking a job, and definitely has the talent to potentially have a season that puts Notre Dame back on the map.

Lane Kiffin

Lane Kiffin comes from a great bloodline of coaches, but has yet to prove that he is worthy of a head coaching position.

He had minimal success with the Oakland Raiders and Tennessee Volunteers, and has had several questions raised about the cleanliness of his recruiting tactics.

All of that could be erased if he leads USC back to prominence.  Despite being on probation and having a lack of scholarships to give, the Trojans have a roster that is loaded with talent.

The Pac-12 should be one of the toughest conferences in the country this year, but Kiffin has the players to navigate their schedule and get people talking about Southern Cal for reasons other than NCAA investigations.