The Hot Seat Tracker: Week 4 Edition

by Mike Huesmann

We have our weekly addition to the Hot Seat.

10. Matt Campbell, Iowa State

Record at current school: 47-44 | 2023 record: 1-2

Last week: Lost to Ohio 10-7

I never thought Campbell would be on this list in 2023 but here we are. His teams look uninspired and aren’t playing tough, which was at least a staple of his good teams. 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.

Iowa State Cyclones’ head coach Matt Campbell reacts from the side line against Northern Iowa during the third quarter in the season-opening game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Ames, Iowa.

9. Dave Aranda, Baylor

Record at current school: 20-18 | 2023 record: 1-2

Last week: Beat LIU 30-7

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. A win over FCS LIU won’t mean much in the long run.

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.

8. Billy Napier, Florida

Record at current school: 8-8 | 2023 record: 2-1

Last Week: Beat Tennessee 29-16

It takes a lot to be on the hot seat in year 2 but this is a combination of expectations at Florida and where we are today in college football in terms of turnaround time. Coaches, especially at blue blood programs, are expected to do it right away. A huge home win versus Tennessee move Napier from #3 to #8 on this list, but he isn’t all the way safe yet. The Gators schedule is a gauntlet and a string of losses will make people forget the win over the Vols.

Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier gestures during a post game speech at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, April 13, 2023.

7. Tony Elliott

Record at current school: 3-10 | 2023 record: 0-3

Last Week: Lost to Maryland 42-14

Elliott had great success at Clemson, his alma mater, as an assistant coach. He was a part of multiple national champion teams and worked with elite QBs in Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence. He could not get the job done with D.J. Uiagalelei, which now looks more on him than DJU.

Elliott did a fantastic job of leading the Cavs through a massive tragedy in 2022. It’s one of the few things he’s done well in Charlottesville. The team was 3-7 before that and is 0-3 since, with little offensive progress happening. Will Elliott see season #3? I think so. Should he? I’m not so sure.

Sep 3, 2022; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers head coach Tony Elliott looks on from the sidelines during the second half at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports

6. Neal Brown, West Virginia

Record at current school: 24-26 | 2023 record: 2-1

Last Week: Beat Pitt 17-6

I wasn’t sure if Neal Brown would ever get out of the #1 spot before he lost his job, but here we are. A very solid win against Pitt gives him a little breathing room and buys him a few more weeks. The schedule isn’t easy, but there are winnable games. 4 more and a bowl game might be enough to save him.

Sep 10, 2022; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Neal Brown watches during the first quarter against the Kansas Jayhawks at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium.

5. Brent Pry

Record at current school: 4-10 | 2023 record: 1-2

Last Week: Lost to Rutgers 35-16

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 really the guy.

Back-to-back losses against Purdue and Rutgers are not helping his case. If Pry loses the next 3 to Marshall, Pitt, and Florida State (all games where they will be the underdog), he may be handed a pink slip.

Sep 2, 2022; Norfolk, Virginia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies head coach Brent Pry during the third quarter against the Old Dominion Monarchs at Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

4. Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M

Record at current school: 41-21 | 2023 record: 2-1

Last Week: Beat Louisiana-Monroe 47-3

Former national champ Fisher has a good record here, but with what his salary is and the expectations that go along with that lofty number, he hasn’t lived up to standards. A #4 finish in 2020 is their only top-notch season.

The Aggies won’t be as bad on D as they were against Miami, but the real question is can Connor Weigman keep playing as well as he has? I still expect them to be improved, but a win last week against Louisiana-Monroe does little for his safety. It was a game he was expected to win. A loss to Auburn this weekend, and Jimbo moves up this list, if not get his walking papers and a generational wealth buyout.

Sep 3, 2022; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher looks on during the fourth quarter against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Kyle Field.

3. Dana Holgorsen, Houston

Record at current school: 28-22 | 2023 record: 1-2

Last Week: Lost to TCU 36-13

Holgo and the Cougars had a bad loss to Rice two weeks ago and got throttled by TCU last week. Concerns there are if he can maintain a solid squad in the Big 12 where he was once okay, not great, at West Virginia. 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.

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.

2. Butch Jones, Arkansas State

Record at current school: 5-21 | 2023 record: 1-2

Last Week: Beat Stony Brook 31-7

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. Poor losses to Oklahoma and Memphis were expected, as was a win over FCS Stony Brook. The Sun Belt schedule and results will determine if Butch sees the end of this season, let alone 2024.

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.

1. Danny Gonzales, New Mexico

Record at current school: 8-26 | 2023 record: 1-2

Last Week: Lost 27-17 to New Mexico State

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. Last week’s loss to in-state rival NMSU has put Gonzales near the bread line. If they lose to UMass tomorrow night in Amherst, he may be out.

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.

Temporarily Cooled Seat List

Who’s off the list for this week:

Jeff Hafley, Boston College

Brent Venables, Oklahoma

Fired List:

Mel Tucker, Michigan State (Week 4)