Whose Backside Is Getting Hotter In College Football


HT: Dennis Dodd/CBS Sports.com
We are at the point where all the college football previews are coming out.  Those of us at the OSG HQ are working on ours.  It will be a good read.

While Internet surfing we came across this one from Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports.com.  Dodd has his own unique system of rating the coach’s hot seat. Check out Dodd's hot seat ratings here.

Two coaches received 5.0 ratings which translates to “win or be fired”.  Both coaches who received that rating were from the SEC.

Here’s our take of some of the coaches whose backside is getting warmer.

Coaches With 5.0 Rating: (Win Now)

John L. Smith

John L. Smith – Arkansas: On the surface this appears to be a interim hire but as a BCS head coach told me a few months ago, “What if they (Arkansas) win 11 games and the SEC West?  You have to keep him.”  This was the year everything was lined up for Arkansas to win the SEC West especially with Alabama and LSU coming to Fayetteville.  Asking a new coach to do that his first year is unfair. 

Derek Dooley

Derek Dooley – Tennessee: Dooley had the misfortune to follow Lane Kiffin who raped UT in only year in Knoxville.  It is a make or break year for Dooley but what win total will satisfy the powers that be and Vol fans?  Nine, 10.

One thing that might work against Dooley is that current Tennessee athletic director Dave Hart didn’t hire Dooley.  Hart came from Florida State and knows a thing or two about successful football programs.  If Hart see significant progress with the UT football program then Dooley may survive. A good start is important for Dooley’s fate.

Coaches With 4.5 Rating (Better Win Now):

DeWayne Walker – New Mexico State: Walker is 9-29 in three season coaching the Aggies.  It is extremely difficult to win at New Mexico State and Walker is finding that out.  Walker probably gets another year to turn the program around.

Dan Enos – Central Michigan: Before Enos took over the Chippawas had won three Mid-American Conferences titles in 4 years.  In two years as head coach Enos has lead Central Michigan to consectutive 3-9 seasons.  The natives in Mt. Pleasant are restless.  Enos needs to win at least six games to cool off his butt. 

Coaches With 4.0 Rating:(It Would Help Your Fate To Win Now)

Frank Spaziani – Boston College:  This is our leading candidate as the head coach to be fired when the Eagles lose their seventh game in October or November.  The program is in a state of decline.  Coach Spaz is a hell of a defensive coach but on offense, The Eagles can’t get off the ground.  Spaziani will be a hot commodity as the defensive coordinator though so he would land on his feet.

Jeff Quinn – Buffalo: After Turner Gill put the paddles and revived the Bulls program it’s been downhill since Quinn took over.  In two years Quinn is 5-19.  Better win six games this year.

Robb Akey – Idaho: Akey has had a roller coaster ride as the Vandals head coach starting out with three wins his first two seasons followed by a rise to mediocrity.  Now the Vandals have declined after going 2-10 in Akey’s fifth year.  Better show progress this year.

Randy Edsall – Maryland: Randy Edsall won two games his first season at Maryland, ran off players who didn’t fit in his system including a quarterback that was ACC Rookie of the Year and his best offensive lineman plus according to OSG sources those who write the big checks to the program didn’t take to kindly to Edsall’s act.  Edsall isn’t going anywhere because this was a big hire for Maryland athletic director Kevin Anderson and won’t pull the trigger.

Kevin Bailiff – Rice: It’s extremely hard to win at Rice.  Bailiff ‘s 23-38 record in his five years with the Owls should be enough to stay for a while.  That’s actually not a bad record for a Rice head coach. 

Bobby Houck – UNLV: Houck’s contract runs through 2014 and though his record in two years is only 4-21 the Rebels were the lowest of the low when he took over.  Houck has time to turn it around and will stay put for a while.

That's our take.  We welcome yours.