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Top 10 Coaches Hot Seat: Week 10

Mike Huesmann ranks the coaches whose seats are the hottest before week 10

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Sep 17
Sep 17

By: Mike Huesmann

10. Dave Aranda, Baylor

Record at current school: 23-21

2023 record: 3-5

Baylor is not performing up to standards in 2023. Many predicted they’d have the best defense in the Big 12, but that hasn’t come close to being true. Losses to Texas State and Utah preceded a win over FCS LIU. Most recently, the Bears got beat by Iowa State at home. A home game against Houston (who’ll come up later in this countdown) will move Dave up this list if the Bears take a loss.

Sep 2, 2023; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears head coach Dave Aranda on the sidelines during the second half against the Texas State Bobcats at McLane Stadium.

9. Shawn Clark, Appalachian State

Record at current school: 30-17

2023 record: 4-4

Clark took over a successful and stable program at App State and has been neither. He had a good 2021 season, winning 10 games, but has steadily gotten worse since then. As the roster becomes heavily made up of his recruits, we have seen a decline in the team, which is never a good sign. Losses to Coastal and ODU were followed by a comeback win over a struggling Southern Miss team. He better win 2 of his final 4 and qualify for a Bowl Game.

8. Billy Napier, Florida

Record at current school: 11-10

2023 record: 5-3

An opening loss really had Napier on the hot seat. The Gators’ schedule is a gauntlet, and a string of losses will make people forget the win over the Vols. Last weekend’s loss to Georgia wasn’t a shock, but the Gators didn’t put up much resistance. Arkansas, LSU, Mizzou, and Florida State remain on the schedule. A bowl appearance and winning record probably keep him around for 2024, but that’s no certainty.

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7. Tony Elliott, Virginia

Record at current school: 5-13

2023 record: 2-6

The Cavs look poor this year, outside of the fantastic win against North Carolina and a battle with Miami, which they still lost. Just when they appear to be competitive and maybe winning a conference game, they have a series of awful mental mistakes and ill-discipline to give the game to NC State, followed by a loss to BC. Will Elliott see season #3? I think so. Should he? I’m not so sure. The Cavs look like a lock to lose nine or more games in 2023.

6. Danny Gonzales, New Mexico

Record at current school: 10-29

2023 record: 3-5

New Mexico is a tough place to win, but Gonzalez hasn’t come close, never winning more than 3 in a season. Gonzales got wins against UMass and Hawaii but has suffered losses to Wyoming, San Jose State, and Nevada that haven’t looked good. Overall, the body of work and eye test just isn’t passing for any FBS team.

Sep 30, 2023; Laramie, Wyoming, USA; New Mexico Lobos head coach Danny Gonzales reacts against the Wyoming Cowboys during the fourth quarter at Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium.

5. Sam Pittman, Arkansas

Record at current school: 21-23

2023 record: 2-6

A year or two ago, the Hogs looked to be surging and primed to take that next step. Things have stalled mightily. Rocket Sanders being hurt and K.J. Jefferson playing wildly mediocre have been common themes this season. Dan Enos, the first-year offensive coordinator, had already been fired this season. Arkansas looks to finish with 3-4 wins this year. I don’t see that being enough for Pittman to keep his job.

Oct 7, 2023; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Sam Pittman reacts to a referee after a penalty during the first half against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

4. Will Hall, Southern Miss

Record at current school: 11-22

2023 record: 1-7

The Golden Eagles are in shambles right now. They have veteran standout RB Frank Gore Jr. and not much else. Last week was a catastrophic loss to Appalachian State, where they had a lead late and ended up losing 48-38. Hall has not been able to find a consistent QB in his time in Hattiesburg. The 55-3 loss two weeks ago to South Alabama may have been the nadir of his time.

3. Tom Allen, Indiana

Record at current school: 32-46

2023 record: 2-6

The downward spiral is continuing, and there doesn’t appear to be many more wins on the schedule. Allen had a good 2019, winning 8 games, then a fortunate 2020 Covid season, where the Hoosiers went 6-2. Apart from that, he does not have a winning season dating back to 2016. I’d be surprised if he makes it to 2024.

Indiana Head Coach Tom Allen uses his megaphone during Indiana football fall camp at the practice fields on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023.

2. Dana Holgorsen, Houston

Record at current school: 30-25. 2023 record: 3-5

Things are not looking good for Holgo. Houston has a great recruiting base and wealthy boosters. I’d be shocked if these boosters are pleased with those results and aren’t thinking they can be better. Rough losses to TCU and Texas Tech, as well as a recent drubbing by Kansas State, are not helping Holgorsen. A dramatic win against his old West Virginia squad was a big help, but it may not be enough.

1. Dino Babers, Syracuse

Record at current school: 40-53. 2023 record: 4-4

We have a new #1 on this list. Dino was on the hot seat last year before the 6-0 start for the Orange. Unfortunately, they only won 1 more in the rest of the season. This year has looked the same. A 4-0 start has been followed by 4 straight losses. If a 5th straight loss happens at home to Boston College on Friday, I could see Dino being out this weekend. 

Fired List:

Mel Tucker, Michigan State (Week 4)

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