Coaches On The Hot Seat: No, They Won’t Get Fired, But … WIN NOW
5. Josh Heupel, UCF
WHAT?! Yup, after losing to Tulsa and Memphis, a smattering of fans took to social media to express their disgust as the program that’s used to thinking it’s playing for national championships has now lost to Tulsa and Memphis in back-to-back weeks. The depth isn’t there and there were several opt-outs, but the offense is still amazing. Heupel will be the next-coach-up at a lot of places, but now it’s time to go on a roll, starting with this week against Tulane.
4. Tyson Helton, WKU
Wasn’t WKU supposed to be good? It was a fun team last year that ended the season red hot, but in 2020 it can’t score, the defense has been a massive disappointment, and the 1-4 start has been ugly. The Hilltoppers have yet to score more than 24 points, and haven’t pushed past the mark in 13 of the last 18 games under Helton. That should change this week against Chattanooga – at least, it had better.
3. Les Miles, Kansas
It’s not fair to kick a guy when he’s down – getting through the week after testing positive for the coronavirus – but his Kansas team has to be far more competitive. With the 38-17 loss to West Virginia, that makes it eight straight games the program has lost by double digits. So far this year the Jayhawks have been outscored 38-17, but they get a chance at something positive with the rivalry date at Kansas State coming up.
2. Jeremy Pruitt, Tennessee
As the Tennessee head coach you have to 1) beat Alabama, 2) beat Florida, 3) beat Georgia, 4) win SEC championships and 5) win national titles – not necessarily in that order. Oh, and you never, ever lose to Kentucky, especially at home.
Tennessee lost to Kentucky 34-7.
With Alabama up next there’s a shot to turn everything around right now, but where’s the sure thing victory the rest of the way outside of Vanderbilt, and that’s a road game?
1. Mike Leach, Mississippi State
It’s WAY early, and eventually everything will click. Give Leach a bit of a break considering he’s a new coach for a program with the timing of his offense meaning everything. For now, though, this has been brutal with a 1-3 start and the mirage of the win over LSU long faded away. With two weeks to prepare for Alabama, though, this could all turn around in a hurry.
NEXT: 2020 College Football Coach of the Year Race