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Top 10 Coaches on the Hot Seat for 2024: Week Zero Edition

Which coaches are feeling the heat this season?

Avatar photoMike Huesmann
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Sep 2
Sep 2

By Mike Huesmann

The coaches’ hot seat is an in-season staple, so here we are with the preseason list. These ten coaches have work to do in order to keep their jobs. Several of them are fodder for early-season odds and favorites to be fired first. The list will be updated regularly during the season as coaches get fired, win games, and narratives develop.

10. Joe Moorhead, Akron

Record at current school: 4-20

Moorhead is an interesting case. I’m not sure Akron will need to fire him; he might opt to leave for a coordinator job like Chip Kelly, Jeff Hafley, or Kane Wommack did before it comes to that. Although he’s still regarded as a top offensive mind, the Zips have struggled under his leadership for two years. Given the low expectations in the MAC, this level of futility can’t continue.

Akron Zips head coach Joe Moorhead celebrates with offensive lineman Alex Robarge during the first half, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.

9. Mike Neu, Ball State

Record at current school: 37-56

Hometown boy, alumnus, and long leash. All words to describe Mike Neu at Ball State. But if they have a losing record in 2024, that will be four losing seasons in a row. I don’t know if he survives that. He has had one winning season in eight years and that was the 2020 COVID season. Even really long leashes get pulled tight at some point.

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8. Mario Cristobal, Miami

Record at current school: 12-13

Cristobal is a good recruiter, has assembled a strong staff, and has done well in the transfer portal. The problem is that the Canes continue to lose games, and he makes questionable in-game decisions. Last season’s home game against Georgia Tech may have fast-tracked this situation. I was bullish on his hire—it checked all the boxes—but the Canes haven’t taken that next step forward. If they don’t this year, they might move on. An opening-week loss to Billy Napier, who we will see later on this list, could push Mario closer to the exit door.

7. Clark Lea, Vanderbilt

Record at current school: 9-27

Vandy knows who they are, and expectations aren’t high, but even the long leash Lea was expected to have may be nearing its end. In three years, he has won just two SEC games, both in back-to-back weeks in 2021. If another 3- or 4-win season happens—and it probably will—Lea will likely be out. Whether it’s fair to him or not doesn’t matter here. The Commodores continue to lag woefully behind the curve in SEC football.

6. Tony Elliott, Virginia

Record at current school: 6-16 

The Cavs have looked poor under Elliott; there’s no other way to put it. A win last year against a ranked North Carolina team has been one of the few bright spots. He did an admirable job leading the team and the university through an unspeakable tragedy in 2021, but things weren’t going well before that either. The schedule, relative to a down year in the ACC, doesn’t do him any favors this season. A five-game stretch in October and November—against Louisville, Clemson, North Carolina, Pitt, and Notre Dame—might decide his future.

5. Stan Drayton, Temple

Record at current school: 6-18

Drayton has a pair of three-win seasons under his belt at Temple. He has an impressive resume and is an elite RB coach, but that has not translated to improvements for Temple. I don’t think the bar is too high here; if the Owls can achieve 6 wins and a bowl game, he’ll be safe. However, I don’t think that will happen. The Owls’ projected win total is among the lowest in the FBS this year.

4. Sam Pittman, Arkansas

Record at current school: 23-25

Two or three years ago, the Hogs appeared to be surging and primed to take the next step. However, things have stalled mightily. Rocket Sanders and K.J. Jefferson, two Pittman stalwarts, have left via the transfer portal, and former Boise QB Taylen Green has arrived. The schedule in the new-look SEC will never be easy. Pittman and the Hogs also face an early-season road trip against one of the Big 12 favorites, Oklahoma State. I think Pittman will coach all, or most, of 2024, but seeing 2025 might be a bridge too far.

3. Will Hall, Southern Miss

Record at current school: 13-24

The Golden Eagles are in shambles right now. Hall has not been able to find a consistent QB in his time in Hattiesburg; hopefully, Florida State transfer Tate Rodemaker can solve that problem. In two of his three seasons, Hall has won only three games. That isn’t good enough, even with the widening gap between G5 and P4. I thought he would be let go after 2023, but he clearly was not. I don’t know if he will be so lucky this season.

2. Billy Napier, Florida

Record at current school: 11-14

The Gators’ schedule is a gauntlet, and everyone, including Napier, knows it. This leaves him with little excuse. Too much is stacked against him, and he hasn’t built up enough goodwill to carry him into year 4. It’s win or else for him in 2024. Many would argue he should be #1 on this list, and they might have a point. I think 8 wins and a bowl game are the minimum for him to keep his job.

1. Dave Aranda, Baylor

Record at current school: 23-25

Baylor has not performed up to standards during the four seasons under Aranda. His single good season, and only winning record, in 2021 is all but forgotten. Many, including me, were surprised he kept his job this offseason. One could argue that he’s not on the hottest seat, but he’s no lower than second. September games against Utah, Air Force, and Colorado will likely determine whether he still has a job come Halloween. 

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