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College Football Hot Seat: Big 12 — Will A Recruiting Class Save Sarkisian?
Sarkisian will need more than an Arch Manning commitment to save his job.
Peace Out, Steve Sarkisian The Big 12 and its ten teams head into the season as the conference works to maintain viability. As the conference figures out their next move, the league’s best coaches may be looking for jobs in a more stable conference.
WIN NOW OR ELSE
Steve Sarkisian – Texas Longhorns
It seemed Texas could’ve done better when they hired Sarkisian and it still does. The 2023 recruiting class is on fire, but Sarkisian may not get a chance to coach those recruits if things don’t turnaround quickly.THINGS ARE GETTING UNCOMFORTABLE
Neal Brown – West Virginia Mountaineers
This seemed like a great hire for West Virginia, but Brown hasn’t been able to gain traction at 17-18. Because there won’t be upgrades looking to get into the Big 12 until the realignment situation settles, Brown may have two years to figure this out.COMFORTABLE, FOR NOW
Chris Klieman – Kansas State Wildcats
Nothing flashy, just consistent, solid results from Klieman. He might leave for a school with more resources.Brent Venables – Oklahoma Sooners
This seems like an okay hire. We wouldn’t be surprised to see Venables on the hot seat if he can’t dominate the Big 12 before their exit to the SEC.Sonny Dykes – TCU Horned Frogs
Many were ready to move on from the Gary Patterson era, but that is going to be a tough act to follow. Patterson set the bar high for TCU.Lance Leipold – Kansas Jayhawks
Only 2 wins in his first season at Kansas, but with Leipold they will likely see a steady increase in wins. If Leipold can pull off a 6 win season at Kansas, others may come calling.Joey McGuire – Texas Tech Red Raiders
This is a wildcard hire — either a homerun or a soon to be hot seater. Texas Tech will give him the resources to make a run at the top of the conference.NAME YOUR PRICE
Matt Campbell – Iowa State Cyclones
Campbell has done good things at Iowa State and has been coveted for quite some time. Perception may outpace reality with Campbell and his 42-34 record. If Campbell is going to make a move it needs to be soon before the star fades.Dave Aranda – Baylor Bears
A 12-2 2021 campaign put Aranda at the top of athletic director’s wish list. It was an impressive turnaround. He’s at Baylor as long as he wants, which may not be long.Mike Gundy – Oklahoma State Cowboys
Gundy doesn’t get the credit he deserves. He’s had at least 7 wins since 2006. Oklahoma State has been lucky to have him around as long as they have. -
College Football Hot Seat: SEC — Does Auburn’s Bryan Harsin Have A Prayer?
Will Bryan Harsin make it through the season?
The seat is very uncomfortable for Auburn’s Bryan Harsin The SEC is the most cutthroat league in college football. With the exception of a small minority, all coaches are on the hot seat in this league.
WIN NOW OR ELSE
Bryan Harsin – Auburn
We’re surprised he’s at the top of this list only because losing his job after last season seemed inevitable. It seemed like an odd fit from day one and, after one season, it doesn’t seem less odd.THINGS ARE GETTING UNCOMFORTABLE
Clark Lea – Vanderbilt Commodores
He’s only had one year as Vanderbilt’s head man, but 0-8 in conference play will put you in the crosshairs quickly. You’d typically think a new coach has at least three season, but in the SEC that might not be the case.Eli Drinkwitz – Missouri Tigers
Drinkwitz had some recruiting momentum when he was hired, but that momentum appears gone. 8-10 in SEC play is respectable. Will his bosses at Missouri be okay with middle of the pack?COMFORTABLE, FOR NOW
Billy Napier – Florida Gators
He hasn’t had his first game as Florida’s head coach but at Florida are you never not on the hot seat?Shane Beamer – South Carolina Gamecocks
A respectable 7-6 in his first season with South Carolina. Beamer seems to have some recruiting momentum going. As long as things continue to trend up, he should be safe for a while.Mike Leach – Mississippi State Bulldogs
College football needs Mike Leach. SEC football needs Mike Leach. If Mississippi State moved on it would more likely be because Leach wore out his welcome than poor football.Jimbo Fisher – Texas A&M Aggies
At some point A&M will expect wins and trophies to match Fisher’s talk and recruiting rankings.Brian Kelly – LSU Tigers
Another odd fit. Despite the large contract, the leash is short. Win big quickly or Kelly goes to the top of the hot seat list.Sam Pittman – Arkansas Razorbacks
This tenure is going better than most expected. A solid 9-4 2021 season and hanging tough with some of SEC’s recruiting heavyweights.Mark Stoops – Kentucky Wildcats
We know what we are going to get with Stoops at Kentucky. A lot of .500 football with a few 10-3 seasons mixed in. It helps he’s at a basketball school.Josh Heupel – Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee seems happy with Heupel for now. Any momentum does seem to be built on a house of cards that could come crashing down quickly.Lane Kiffin – Mississippi Rebels
Kiffin is right next to Leach in the people-college-football-needs department. Another year like last season and the NFL might come calling.NAME YOUR PRICE
Kirby Smart – Georgia Bulldogs
There’s only one untouchable coach in college football, but another national championship could put Smart near Saban status.Nick Saban – Alabama Crimson Tide
Saban will be done at Alabama when Saban says he’s done at Alabama. Unless Alabama’s administration is overtaken by the Alabama message board poster that claims the dynasty is crumbling because Alabama was outscored in the 2nd half of their 40-point victory. -
NBA Coach Rankings – Who Are The 10 Best Coaches In The NBA?
Who are the best coach in the NBA? During the season we will have coach rankings based on in-season success and failure. This list represents the coach’s entire head coaching career in the NBA, which hasn’t been a long career for most current head coaches.
Coming soon: The Ten Worst Coaches in the NBA
- Gregg Popovich – San Antonio Spurs
In an industry with a short shelf life, Popovich has lead the Spurs since 1996. The winningest coach in NBA history. Despite not making it past the first round of the playoffs since 2017, he has earned this top spot - Erik Spoelstra – Miami Heat
Two time NBA champion. Leading the Heat since 2008, Spoelstra has only missed the playoffs 3 times despite a limited roster. - Steve Kerr – Golden State Warriors
Kerr has been the head coach of the Warriors since 2014. He has missed the playoffs twice, but has reached the Finals in each of his six playoff appearances and won four titles. - Nick Nurse – Toronto Raptors
Nurse has had an impressive first four years as head man of the Raptors with three playoff appearances and one NBA title. There may not be anyone better at getting the most of an undermanned roster. - Mike Budenholzer – Milwaukee Bucks
He had a decent run with Atlanta (2013-2018). He’s made the playoffs in each of his four seasons with Milwaukee including a NBA championship in 2020-21. - Monty Williams – Phoenix Suns
Williams mostly overachieved with New Orleans (2010-2015). He now leads a Suns team with high expectations. He has one NBA final appearance as head coach. - Taylor Jenkins – Memphis Grizzlies
Only a NBA head coach since 2019, Jenkins appears to be a rising star. - Ime Udoka – Boston Celtics
It’s only been one season, but it was one heck of a year. We anticipate Udoka will be climbing up this list. - Nate McMillan – Atlanta Hawks
It’s easy to forget McMillan has been a head coach with since 2000 with four different teams. He’s been around since 2000 because he’s a good coach. - Willie Green – New Orleans Pelicans
Things are pointing up for Green. His first Pelicans team was competitive with a less-than-stellar roster.
- Gregg Popovich – San Antonio Spurs
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College Football Hot Seat: Big Ten — How Can Scott Frost Save His Job?
Is this the end for Scott Frost and Tom Allen?
The Big Ten is adding USC and UCLA and likely on their way to a super-conference. The pressure for coaches to win is amplified. Here’s our ranking of Big Ten coaches from those that need to win now or else and those that have ultimate job security.
WIN NOW OR ELSE
Scott Frost – Nebraska
This one is no secret. His contract was restructured to include a lower buyout if things don’t improve quickly. He really needs a 3-0 start to the season or things could get ugly. Can Casey Thompson save Frost’s job?THINGS ARE GETTING UNCOMFORTABLE
Tom Allen – Indiana
Things seemed to be trending well for Allen and his Hoosiers and then… 2021 happened. 0-9 in conference last season. Any forward momentum has been lost. 2023 recruiting rankings have Indiana dead last in the Big Ten. His current contract could be the thing that keeps him at Indiana for the foreseeable future.COMFORTABLE, FOR NOW
Mike Locksley – Maryland
In his second stint as Maryland’s head coach, Locksley is 13-23. Good enough to get a contract extension through 2026. If Maryland’s expectations rise, this seat may get warmer.Jeff Brohm – Purdue
An odd case here. Brohm’s seat is getting warmer, but remains a candidate for other head coaching positions. Has had multiple signature wins, but can’t seem to get over the hump.Brett Bielema – Illinois
A decent first year at 5-7. Will need to show continued improvement. Recruiting the state of Illinois and surrounding areas well would be a good place to start.Jim Harbaugh – Michigan
A 12-2 campaign moved Harbaugh from the hottest of seats to a contract extension. How long can Michigan and Harbaugh stand each other?Pat Fitzgerald – Northwestern
This is always a tough one. Some would give Fitzgerald a lifetime contract. His last four years in conference play: 8-1, 1-8, 6-1, 1-8. A little consistency would be nice.Paul Chryst – Wisconsin
Chryst has a great record of 65-23 over seven seasons at Wisconsin, but his program seems to be trending in the wrong direction. We wouldn’t be surprised to see him on the hot seat list after the next season or two.PJ Fleck – Minnesota
Fleck isn’t for everyone, but he has done some nice things at Minnesota, highlighted by an 11-2 2019 season. With his personality a few mediocre seasons will make that seat hot quickly.Kirk Ferentz – Iowa
He’s been there since 1999 because he meets Iowa’s expectations. Should those standards ever increase, Iowa may need to look elsewhere.Greg Schiano – Rutgers
Round two as the Rutgers head coach has been so-so. Schiano will need a better 2022 season or his seat could get real warm.NAME YOUR PRICE
James Franklin – Penn State
He’s had some meh seasons including a losing conference record the past two seasons. Still, many athletic directors would love to have Franklin as their head coach.Mel Tucker – Michigan State
He’s 18-14 as a college head coach. Tucker had a great 2021 season, but the huge contract seems premature. The contract extension from Michigan State gives him serious job security.Ryan Day – Ohio State
An assistant taking over a program at the top of its game doesn’t usually end well. But Day has Ohio State rolling at a high level. He’ll be off to the NFL before his seat gets warm.