Much like Top 25 polls, it just seems right to wait a few weeks before putting any head coaches on the hot seat.
Ranking coaches on job security was a heck of a lot more fun when we had Mike Locksley and Ron Prince to beat up on.
Outside of Arkansas’ John L. Smith, it’s not as much fun to ridicule the lackluster job being done by those on our recent top 10 coaches on the hot seat.
10. Ron English, Eastern Michigan
English had a break out season in 2011 leading a desolate Eastern Michigan program to a 6-6 record.
But the Eagles are off to a 0-3 start and English is now 8-31 in three-plus seasons. It doesn’t get any easier this week as Eastern travels to Michigan State, who is still smarting from a loss to Notre Dame.
English is talking about making wholesale changes to get better results.
9. Mike Price, UTEP
How is Mike Price still coaching? I guess if Larry Coker is still coaching there’s no reason why Price can’t be.
The Miners do have a win over New Mexico State, but it just feels like it’s time for some new blood at UTEP.
8. Jeff Tedford, Cal
I have nothing against Jeff Tedford, and actually believe he’s a top-notch coach. But after getting the Bears near the top of the old Pac-10, the program has steadily dropped off in recent years.
Last week’s near miss at Ohio State was promising, but it’s hard to overlook the lackluster performance against Nevada in the season opener.
It’s also important to note that one of the game’s highest paid coaches hasn’t finished higher than fourth place in the past five seasons in conference play.
7. Bobby Hauck, UNLV
Bobby Hauck’s arrival from Montana in 2010 came with big expectations. Hauck won eight or more games in his seven seasons with the Grizzlies.
Hauck inherited a program in total disarray, but he’s 4-24 in two-plus seasons with the Rebels and there are few signs that this team is getting any better.
Hauck reminds me of Dan Hawkins. He may be a great coach, but something just isn’t clicking at UNLV.
6. Derek Dooley, Tennessee
I’m actually shocked that Derek Dooley isn’t closer to the top, but Dooley still has time to prove the Vols didn’t make a rash decision to hire him.
The loss to Florida at home hurt his chances, and definitely cost him some support from the fans.
But does he have the administration’s support? Only time will tell.
5. Frank Spaziani, Boston College
Frank Spaziani has been on the hot seat since almost the day he was hired to replace the successful Jeff Jagodzinski. The Eagles won for him early, but the rapid decline in performance on the field is glaring.
Spaziani is just one of those guys who is a better coordinator than he is a head coach.
He probably finishes the season, but it’s hard to see him coming back in 2013.
4. Randy Edsall, Maryland
Maryland may be patient with Randy Edsall, who is just in his second season. But it just seems that every button Edsall has pushed since taking the job has been the wrong one.
Edsall and the Terps just lost to his former school, UConn, and it doesn’t get any easier this week as Maryland travels to West Virginia.
The mass exodus of former Ralph Friedgen players didn’t help, but many of them left because of Edsall and that doesn’t speak to highly of him and in the end could mean an early departure.
3. Jon Embree, Colorado
I don’t know Jon Embree, but when it was announced he would replace Dan Hawkins I immediately knew Colorado had made a mistake.
Instead of hiring a former player that is well liked, Colorado needed a proven coach. Embree may eventually become a strong coach, but this task is just too much for someone with his background.
The Buffaloes should have opened the season 3-0, instead Embree guided them to a 0-3 start with embarrassing losses to Colorado State (22-17), Sacramento State (30-28) and Fresno State (69-14).
2. John L. Smith, Arkansas
Rumor is John L. Smith may be on his way out sooner rather than later.
This is not a real shocker and his handling of the Arkansas program lives up to the John L. Smith rep.
1. Joker Phillips, Kentucky
Kentucky’s 32-31 overtime loss to Western Kentucky pretty much guarantees Joker Phillips will get a pink slip at some point this season.
There are no sure-thing wins on the schedule.
It’s not like the Wildcats are even close to being a top-level SEC team, but Kentucky is supposed to be more competitive than this.
Maybe Kentucky should consider Western Kentucky coach Willie Taggart.
