The college football coaching landscape is heating up, with several high-profile names finding themselves on the hot seat. Let's dive into the coaches whose jobs are on the line and explore the factors that have led to their precarious positions.
The Coaching Hot Seat: A Midseason Check-In
ACC: Mike Norvell, Florida State Seminoles
Norvell's tenure at Florida State has been a rollercoaster. Two years ago, his team dominated, finishing 13-0, yet they were shockingly left out of the College Football Playoff. Last season, the Seminoles struggled with a depleted roster, ending up with a dismal 2-10 record. This year, an impressive win over No. 8 Alabama raised hopes, but a three-game losing streak followed, reigniting the calls for Norvell's departure.
The challenge for FSU is significant, with a massive buyout of over $50 million. The team's remaining schedule offers little respite, with no ranked opponents left, but a daunting road trip to Clemson awaits. Can Norvell turn it around and guide the Seminoles to a respectable 7-5 record, or will the pressure mount?
Temperature Check: Getting Warmer
Big Ten: Luke Fickell, Wisconsin Badgers
Things have taken a turn for the worse in Madison. After starting the season with wins over Group of 5 opponents, the Badgers have suffered four consecutive losses, including a humiliating 37-0 shutout at the hands of Iowa. Fickell, who had success at Cincinnati, now finds himself with a record of 15-17 at Wisconsin, a program that previously boasted a winning record under Paul Chryst.
The upcoming schedule doesn't offer much relief, with games against top-ranked Ohio State and Oregon looming. Wisconsin's remaining opponents have a combined record of 31-6. Fickell's buyout is substantial, around $28 million, but with the team's performance, it's hard to see him getting much more time.
Temperature Check: White Hot
SEC: Hugh Freeze, Auburn Tigers
Freeze's Auburn tenure has been a struggle, with two losing seasons to start. Now, the Tigers are on a three-game losing skid, albeit against ranked opponents. Under Freeze, Auburn has a poor record in close games and against ranked teams. The good news is that the remaining schedule is manageable, but a win against No. 16 Missouri is crucial for Freeze's job security.
Temperature Check: Caliente
Billy Napier, Florida Gators
Napier's four-year tenure at Florida has been a mixed bag, with a record of 21-23. Last season, the Gators finished strong, winning their last four games. This year, they find themselves at 2-4, but with a slightly easier schedule ahead. Winning four out of their remaining six games might just be enough to save Napier's job, but the dynamics have shifted with athletic director Scott Stricklin's tenure no longer as closely tied to Napier's success.
Temperature Check: Scalding
Conference USA: Derek Mason, Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
Mason's debut season ended with a 3-9 record, and this year, the Blue Raiders have started slowly, at 1-5. Worse still, 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, which could provide an opportunity for a much-needed win.
Temperature Check: Warm
Sonny Cumbie, Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Cumbie, a former Texas Tech star quarterback, has been building slowly at Louisiana Tech. After a 6-18 start in his first two seasons, the Bulldogs won five games last year. This season began promisingly, but a recent loss to Kennesaw State has cooled things down. The Bulldogs face a tough test against WKU, the best team in the league. Getting to six wins is the target, and with winless Sam Houston and Liberty remaining, it's achievable.
Temperature Check: Cooling Down
MAC: Joe Moorhead, Akron Zips
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. While wins against UMass and Kent State are realistic, the question remains whether a Power 4 program would consider Moorhead for an offensive coordinator role. With his son, a promising recruit, heading off to college, the timing could be right for a change.
Temperature Check: Warm
Mountain West: Jay Norvell, Colorado State Rams
The Rams secured a much-needed win last week, blowing out Fresno State. Norvell has improved the team's performance since taking over, but the upcoming schedule is challenging, with five teams with a record of .500 or better. While it would be surprising to see a change after such an impressive season, Norvell's job security could be tested if the Rams fail to maintain their momentum.
Temperature Check: A Little Warm
As the midseason approaches, these coaches find themselves under intense scrutiny. Will they turn things around or face the consequences? The college football coaching carousel is always spinning, and these coaches' fates hang in the balance. What do you think? Should these coaches be given more time, or is it time for a change? Let's discuss in the comments!
