The Hot Seat Tracker: Week 3 Edition

By: Mike Huesmann

We have our weekly addition to the Hot Seat.

10. Jeff Hafley, Boston College

Record at Current School: 16-21. 2022 Record: 3-9

Last Week: 31-28 win vs. Holy Cross

Not too long ago we heard Hafley as a guy who might get a better job, but things haven’t continued in that direction. A slew of injuries in 2022 didn’t help the Eagles, this year that excuse may not suffice. A potential drubbing via the Seminoles this week won’t help his case. He stays firm at 10 this week.

Oct 29, 2022; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Boston College Eagles head coach Jeff Hafley on the field during warms up before the start of the game against the Connecticut Huskies at Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium.

9. Brent Venables, Oklahoma

Record at Current School: 8-7. 2022 Record: 6-7

Last Week: 28-11 Win vs. SMU

Venables seat has cooled slightly this year after 2 wins, but considering the enormous expectations and disappointing 2022 he’s not quite off the list just yet. Wins against Tulsa and Cincinnati the next two weeks will probably do that. This week he moves lower on the list to the 9 spot.

Oklahoma football coach Brent Venables talks during a press conference in Norman, Okla., Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.

8. Brent Pry, Virginia Tech

Record at current school: 5-9. 2022 record: 4-8

Last week: 24-17 loss to Purdue

I dislike putting 2nd year coaches on the hot seat, I fundamentally disagree with firing them that early and don’t feel like they’ve been given enough time. That certainly is the case with Pry, but considering the modern history and success at VT, some will be wondering if he’s the guy? They simply haven’t looked competitive against decent teams in his 1+ season there, not have they gotten the infusion of talent that others have. He’s not in danger, but it could be coming. He debuts on the list at 8.

Oct 8, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies head coach Brent Pry looks on from the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Pittsburgh won 45-29.

7. Dave Aranda, Baylor

Record at current school: 20-18. 2022 record: 6-7

Last week: Lost to Utah 20-13

Aranda has had 1 winning season in 3 in Waco. His 12-2 team was top-notch in 2021, winning the Big 12 and Sugar Bowl. Apart from that they have disappointed. He came to Baylor on the heels of leading the LSU defense in 2019 but hasn’t replicated that success, granted, who could? His seat is warming up early in year 4, especially after losses to Texas State and Utah, both at home. #7 is where Adanda makes his first appearance on the hot seat.

Sep 3, 2022; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears head coach Dave Aranda during the game between the Baylor Bears and the Albany Great Danes at McLane Stadium.

6. Dana Holgorsen, Houston

Record at current school: 28-21. 2022 record: 8-5

Last Week: Lost to Rice 43-41 in OT

Holgo and the Cougars had a bad loss to Rice last week after a good win against UTSA. He took over a good situation after Tom Herman and he’s done alright but they haven’t sustained the level they expect to be at. Concerns there are if he can maintain a solid squad in the Big 12 where he was once okay, not great, at West Virginia. This one could go away quickly if he wins some games, but it also could get bad real fast if they don’t.

Sep 30, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars head coach Dana Holgorsen looks on during Tulane Green Wave drive in overtime at TDECU Stadium in Houston, Texas.

5. Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M

Record at Current School: 40-22. 2022 Record: 5-7

Last Week: 48-33 loss vs. Miami

Fisher, the former national champ, has a good record here but his salary comes with expectations and he hasn’t lived up to standards. A #4 finish in 2020 is their only top-notch season. Last week’s loss to Miami wasn’t good but we did see positive signs. Connor Weigman looks like a dude who will be a top-notch QB and Evan Stewart is an elite WR. The defense, which was great at defending the pass in 2022 looked atrocious. This will need to get fixed in a hurry. I still expect the Aggies to be the most improved P5 team in America this year, they need to be or else Jimbo moves up this list quickly.

Sep 11, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach talks to Jimbo Fisher quarterback Zach Calzada (10) in the second quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Empower Field at Mile High.

4. Butch Jones, Arkansas State

Record at Current School: 5-21. 2022 Record: 3-9

Last Week: 37-3 Loss vs. Memphis

Jones won at Central Michigan and Cincinnati but didn’t consistently do it at Tennessee. He has not shown that he can get it done for the Red Wolves after an embarrassing 73-0 loss for himself and the team to Oklahoma and a 37-3 drubbing by Memphis, a move which ironically enough took Ryan Silverfield off of the Hot List.

Sep 2, 2023; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Arkansas State Red Wolves head coach Butch Jones reacts during the first quarter against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

3. Billy Napier, Florida

Record at Current School: 6-8. 2022 Record: 6-7

Last Week: 49-7 win vs. McNeese State

The fans in the Swamp are very optimistic about Tennessee’s trip there tomorrow but this could go bad in a hurry for Napier if the game gets ugly. A loss to Utah exposed several Gator weaknesses and a crushing win over McNeese did little to inspire the faithful. A tough schedule awaits.

Sep 24, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier argues with an official during the second half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium.

2. Danny Gonzales, New Mexico

Record at Current School: 8-25. 2022 Record: 2-10

Last Week: 56-10 win vs. Tennessee Tech

New Mexico is a tough place to win but Gonzales hasn’t come close, never winning more than three games in a season. His revolving door of offensive identities is understandable from a lack of talent, but shocking from a consistency perspective. A win over FCS Tennessee Tech was much needed but in the long term, he’s expected to win those. This week’s battle against bitter rival New Mexico State may be a fate decider.

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. Neal Brown, West Virginia

Record at Current School: 23-26. 2022 Record: 5-7

Last Week: 56-17 win vs. Duquesne

Brown has only had one winning season in Morgantown. 2020. Many were surprised he didn’t get the axe last season. Brown does not move out of the hottest seat after an FCS win. I hate to say this but it looks as though the vultures are circling and it will take a minor miracle for him to hold on to his job. He remains in the #1 spot with only Gonzales, and potentially Jimbo, being in the running for this in the near future.