The Hot Seat Tracker: Week 6 Edition

By Mike Huesmann

Top 10 Coaches Hot Seat- Week 6 (19-6-2023)

We have our weekly addition of the Coaches Hot Seat here for you.

10. Matt Campbell, Iowa State

Record at current school: 48-45. 2023 record: 2-3

Last week: Lost to Oklahoma 50-20

Losses to Iowa and Ohio put him in that limbo where things could either get better or get way worse the rest of the way. A gambling scandal mixed with his shameful behavior after the Ohio game will make the brass in Ames wonder if something needs to be done. A loss to Oklahoma was expected. Campbell probably needs to win 5 of the remaining 7 to truly be safe ,I don’t know if that can happen.

Iowa State head football coach Matt Campbell looks up at the replay screen during the Cy-Hawk Series football game against Iowa on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.

9. Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M

Record at current school: 43-21. 2023 record: 4-1

Last Week: Beat Arkansas 34-22

Former national champ Fisher has a good record here, but with what his salary is and the expectations, it hasn’t lived up to standards. A #4 finish in 2020 is their only top-notch season. The Aggies D has recovered after the loss to Miami with salty performances against Auburn and Arkansas. Jimbo has cooled the seat a bit, but a losing skid heats it right back up. A win against Alabama this week probably guarantees we see him on the Aggies’ sideline in 2024.

Sep 24, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher points at the scoreboard during the second quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at AT&T Stadium.

8. Thomas Hammock, Northern Illinois

Record at current school: 18-31. 2023 record: 1-4

Last Week: Loss to Toledo 35-33

Hammock had one really good season in 2021, but aside from that hasn’t been a winner. His team was hit badly by the injury bug in 2022 and went a paltry 3-9. If the Huskies don’t get to 6 wins, Hammock probably doesn’t see 2024. They have several winnable games, considering the parity in the MAC. It’s down to results now and not what if’s.

Northern Illinois head coach Thomas Hammock said he'd evaluate the QB position heading into Saturday at Toledo after Ethan Hampton replaced Rocky Lombardi in the second quarter, though he threw two interceptions in relief.

— Erik Buchinger (@GunslingerBuzz) September 25, 2023

7. Billy Napier, Florida

Record at current school: 9-9. 2023 record: 3-2

Last Week: Lost to Kentucky 33-14

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 Kentucky was a lopsided one where all the good done against Tennessee looked forgotten. A loss against SEC East bottom dweller, which happened last year, would almost certainly put Napier back in the top 3 of this list, with games against South Carolina and Georgia to follow.

Being critical of play calling and mismanagement of talent under Coach Billy Napier doesn't mean giving up on the Florida Gators. It's about wanting the best for our team. ? #GatorNation #ConstructiveCriticism

— JohnnyJay? (@RealJohnnyLane) October 6, 2023

6. Tony Elliott

Record at current school: 3-12. 2023 record: 0-5

Last Week: Lost to Boston College 27-24

The Cavs look like a trainwreck this year. 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. It will take a lot to make me think this match will work. They’d better take advantage of the FCS game against William & Mary, or else things will look even worse. Will Elliott see season #3? I think so. Should he? I’m not so sure. The Cavs look like a lock to lose double-digit games in 2023.

"It doesn't matter if you have success or failure, you get right back to work."

Still winless, Tony Elliott is taking this week as an opportunity to remind his players that the result doesn't change the effort: https://t.co/uAbVgvUW1O pic.twitter.com/lajqAhT3gd

— anne-parker coleman (@anneparkercole1) October 4, 2023

5. Butch Jones, Arkansas State

Record at current school: 7-21. 2023 record: 3-2

Last Week: Beat UMass 52-28

Butch won at Central Michigan and Cincinnati but did not at Tennessee, well he actually had a decent 34-27 overall record, but the Vols weren’t in contention to win the SEC. He has not shown that he can get it done for the Red Wolves. Recent wins over Southern Miss and UMass help a ton, but there’s still work to do to keep his job.

A-State HC Butch Jones on UMass:

“This week is probably the biggest challenge to date for a number for reasons.”

Jones highlighted UMass’ physical defense and ability to create negative plays.

He also said that UMass’ “dynamic” WR’s will be the fastest they’ve seen to date.

— Jacob Repper (@JacobRepper1) September 30, 2023

4. Brent Pry

Record at current school: 5-11. 2023 record: 2-3

Last Week: Beat Pitt 38-21

Pry had lost 3 in a row to Purdue, Rutgers, and Marshall before a surprising and resounding win against Pitt. He drops out of the 1 spot but isn’t safe. Things look better, but national title contender Florida St. awaits this weekend before winnable games against Wake Forest and Syracuse. For his sake, he better beat the Deacons and Orange.

3. Tom Allen, Indiana

Record at current school: 32-43. 2023 record: 2-3

Last Week: Lost to Maryland 44-17

Allen makes his debut on the list this season, and this probably should’ve happened weeks ago. They played okay in losses to Ohio State and Louisville, got expected wins against FCS Indiana State and Akron, and then recently lost to Maryland. 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, going 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. Danny Gonzales, New Mexico

Record at current school: 9-27. 2023 record: 2-3

Last Week: Lost to Wyoming 35-26

We have a new #1 on the Hot Seat. New Mexico is a tough place to win, but Gonzalez hasn’t come close, never winning more than 3 in a season. Gonzales got a nice OT win against UMass before a loss to a surging Wyoming team. Overall, the body of work and eye test just isn’t passing for any FBS team.

Sep 2, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; New Mexico Lobos head coach Danny Gonzales stands of the field prior to the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field.

1. Dana Holgorsen, Houston

Record at current school: 29-23. 2023 record: 2-3

Last Week: Lost to Texas Tech 49-28

We have a new #1 on this list. 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 the results and don’t think they can be better. Rough losses to TCU and Texas Tech make this seat very hot. The next three games could decide his fate. Houston takes on his former squad, West Virginia, then conference stalwarts in Texas and Kansas State. If those three go poorly and the Cougars are 2-6, I don’t see a way back.

Nov 19, 2022; Greenville, North Carolina, USA; Houston Cougars head coach Dana Holgorsen looks on against the East Carolina Pirates during the first half at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.

Cooled List (those who dropped out of the Top 10 this week):

Neal Brown, West Virginia

Dave Aranda, Baylor

Fired List:

Mel Tucker, Michigan State (Week 4)