The world of college football is abuzz with speculation about coaches on the hot seat. Let's dive into the heated discussions and explore the fate of some prominent figures in the sport.
The Coaching Hot Seat: Who's Feeling the Heat?
In the fast-paced world of college football, some coaches are facing intense scrutiny and pressure. As we approach the midseason mark, let's take a temperature check across the FBS conferences and see who's feeling the heat and why.
ACC: Mike Norvell and the Florida State Seminoles
Two years ago, Mike Norvell's Florida State team was on a roll, finishing an impressive 13-0. However, the selection committee robbed them of a College Football Playoff spot. Last year, the Seminoles faced a challenging roster and ended up with a disappointing 2-10 record. This season started with a bang, defeating No. 8 Alabama, but the team has since dropped three straight games to Virginia, Miami, and Pitt, all by a single score. The chatter to replace Norvell has returned, and with a massive buyout of over $50 million, FSU might find it difficult to make a change.
Temperature Check: Getting Warmer
Big Ten: Luke Fickell and the Wisconsin Badgers
Things have taken a turn for the worse in Madison. After winning their first two games against Group of 5 opponents, the Badgers have lost four consecutive games to Alabama, Maryland, Michigan, and Iowa, with each loss by at least two touchdowns. Iowa dealt the Badgers a brutal 37-0 shutout at Camp Randall Stadium, their first home shutout loss in 45 years. Fickell, who had success at Cincinnati, now finds himself with a record of 15-17 at Wisconsin, a program that previously boasted a strong record under Paul Chryst. With upcoming games against No. 1 Ohio State, No. 8 Oregon, and No. 3 Indiana, the situation is likely to get even more challenging. His buyout is around $28 million, and it's hard to see Wisconsin giving him much more time.
Temperature Check: White Hot
SEC: Hugh Freeze and the Auburn Tigers
Hugh Freeze has struggled to find his footing at Auburn, with two losing seasons to start his tenure. The Tigers are currently on a three-game losing skid, albeit against ranked opponents. Under Freeze, Auburn has a record of 2-8 in one-possession games and 1-11 against ranked teams. With a record of 14-17 overall and 5-14 in SEC play, Freeze is under pressure. However, the remaining schedule is manageable, and a 4-2 finish seems plausible. A 7-5 season might not be enough, but a win against No. 16 Missouri could be a turning point for Freeze.
Temperature Check: Caliente
Florida: Billy Napier and the Gators
Billy Napier has been at Florida for four years, and it feels like an eternity. Last season, he guided the Gators through a rough patch, but they responded well, winning their last four games to finish 8-5. This year, Florida is 2-4, but with a slightly less daunting schedule. Winning four out of the remaining six games, which seems within reach, might be enough to save Napier's job. However, the dynamics have shifted since last year, with athletic director Scott Stricklin's tenure no longer as closely tied to Napier's success.
Temperature Check: Scalding
Conference USA: Derek Mason and Middle Tennessee
Derek Mason's debut season at Middle Tennessee resulted in a 3-9 record, and this year, the team has started 1-5. To make matters worse, they were blown out by FCS Austin Peay. While it's early in his tenure, Mason needs to turn things around in the second half of the season. The Blue Raiders host winless Sam Houston on November 22nd, which could be a crucial game for their season.
Temperature Check: Warm
Louisiana Tech: Sonny Cumbie and the Bulldogs
Sonny Cumbie, a former Texas Tech star quarterback, has been slowly building his program at Louisiana Tech. After a 6-18 record in his first two seasons, he won five games last year. This season started well, with a 4-1 record, but the Bulldogs were recently crushed by Kennesaw State. They now face WKU, the best team in the league. Getting to six wins should be achievable, especially with winless Sam Houston and 2-4 Liberty remaining on the schedule.
Temperature Check: Cooling Down
MAC: Joe Moorhead and the Akron Zips
Joe Moorhead, a talented offensive coach, has had a tough time at Akron. With a record of 10-33 in four years, the Zips have started 2-5 this season. They still have UMass and Kent State on their schedule, which provides an opportunity to improve their win record. Moorhead's son, a promising recruit, will be heading off to college, which might be a timely change for the program.
Temperature Check: Warm
Mountain West: Jay Norvell and Colorado State
Colorado State got a much-needed win last week, defeating Fresno State 49-21. They are currently 2-4 but face a challenging stretch with five upcoming games against teams with a record of .500 or better. Jay Norvell has improved the program, going from three wins to eight wins last year. However, if they fail to maintain the momentum from last week, this situation could become more critical.
Temperature Check: A Little Warm
As the college football season progresses, these coaches will be under intense scrutiny. Who will survive the hot seat and who will be shown the door? Only time will tell. And remember, in the world of college football, nothing is certain until the final whistle blows.
