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LGHL Fire Butch? Jones, Charlie Strong lead this week's coaches hot seat

Zach Manoogian

Guest
Fire Butch? Jones, Charlie Strong lead this week's coaches hot seat
Zach Manoogian
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


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Is it time to start talking about Butch Jones?

A lot of things can get college football coaches fired these days. Maybe it's a co-ed on the back of motorcycle or allegations of player abuse, but most of the time it comes down to good old fashioned wins and losses that ultimately decide their fate. And after five weeks of college football, the lack of wins for some coaches are making things a little uneasy.

The race to follow Tim Beckman

Butch Jones, Tennessee


record this year: 2-3
record at Tennessee: 14-16
possible replacements: Phillip Fulmer/Lane Kiffin/Derek Dooley all appear to be available


The kids might not remember this, but not too long ago Tennessee was a powerhouse program on the field. These days it seems the Vols have to settle for hype and recruiting championships to get any enjoyment out of college football.

And while it's difficult to see Butch Jones getting fired this year, stranger things have happened in the SEC. Jones' team has found painful and stunning ways to lose games the past few weeks and the rest of the month of October remains brutal on the schedule. Georgia pays the Vols a visit in Knoxville, but then trips to Alabama and sneaky Kentucky end the month. Six losses before November 1st is realistic and that's not a good thing for Volunteer nation.

Charlie Strong, Texas


record this year: 1-4
record at Texas: 7-11
possible replacements: Tom Herman, Hugh Freeze, $TEXAS


This almost looks like it's headed to Rich Rodriguez at Michigan territory where you know the guy might be a better coach than the team is showing, but it's a bad fit and not going to end well.

The Longhorns got absolutely boat raced by TCU this weekend, shredding most of whatever dreams/optimism remained for Texas fans this season.

Texas will likely be favored in only two remaining games this year, so the nightmare figures to continue in Austin. Plus, it's not just the losses that are embarrassing.

Paul Petrino, Idaho


record this year: 1-4
record at Idaho: 3-25
possible replacements: Bob Stitt, Beau Baldwin, Matt Lubick, Aaron Roderick


Some credit is owed to Petrino for at least getting a victory on the board in 2015, but this situation or football team isn't getting better anytime soon.

The harsh reality is that Idaho might be the worst FBS job out there. Robb Akey actually got the Vandals to a bowl game in 2009 which is a true coaching miracle, but outside of that, it's a pretty morbid history since transitioning to the highest level of college football in 1996. A weird conference fit and poor geography makes a hard job that much harder.

However, it's still an FBS gig - and you do need to win a least a few of those games to keep it. Three wins out of 28, coupled with embarrassing off the field episodes, doesn't inspire confidence.

Doug Martin, New Mexico State


record this year: 0-4
record at New Mexico State: 4-24
possible replacements: Walter White, Bob Stitt, Jon Wristen, Sonny Cumbie


Ohio football fans may best remember Martin as the head coach of a mediocre-to-bad Kent State program from 2004-2010. He ended up taking control of New Mexico State almost by default as their previous head coach, Dwayne Walker, left to become the DB coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars. That's right, not even a coordinator gig.

If your head coach leaving to take a position coaching job in the NFL isn't the best indicator of the quality of your football program, then I don't know what is.

This will never be an easy place to win. Facilities, budget issues, and a limited talent base are all major roadblocks that stand in way of the Aggies chances at success. But again, it's a FBS head coaching job, someone will take it if it's available, and if the Aggies don't start winning, it will become available.

Dan McCarney, North Texas


record this year: 0-4
record at North Texas: 22-31
possible replacements: Doug Meachum, Sonny Cumbie, Phil Bennett, Jake Spavital


Another former Urban Meyer assistant possibly headed for unemployment. McCarney has done a decent job at North Texas, building to a 9-4 year in 2013. The Mean Green took a step back to 4-8 last year and are currently winless in 2015.

At 62 years old, it may be time to bring in some fresh blood to rejuvenate the struggling football program.

George O'Leary, UCF


record this year: 0-5
record at UCF: 81-65
possible replacements: Brent Key, Doug Marrone, Lawrence Dawsey, Brett Venables


At 0-5 in 2015, UCF appears to want to contend with Wyoming, New Mexico State and Charlotte for title of worst FBS team in America.

O'Leary has done amazing things here, but he's 69 years old and it appears doubtful he's got around turnaround job in him. Hopefully he recognizes that and UCF can avoid a messy situation come the end of the season.

UCF is exactly the type of job that can catapult a first time head coach to success and could be one of the more sought over openings available.

Randy Edsall, Maryland


record this year: 2-3
record at Maryland: 22-33
possible replacements: Chip Kelly, Lane Kiffin, Justin Fuente


I'm not sure if Randy Edsall is a bad football coach, but let's be very clear - this is a bad Maryland team. There is a serious deficiency of talent on the roster and what little talent they do have appears to be poorly used and inefficient.
When your team is having players only meetings and the head coach is not at all aware of their existence -- that's not a good thing.

In some regard, Maryland has gotten used to doing more with less since Ralph Friedgen made Terps football relevant again the early 2000's. But investment in the program, both internally and externally, have heightened expectations - it's looking increasingly more and more doubtful Edsall possesses the ceiling to bring Maryland football where they want to be.

If Mayland does make a move, they've got to make a big splash so it could be a completely out of the box candidate.
Although Edsall did land himself a three year extension back in June if that means anything...

Jim Harbaugh, TTUN


record this year: 4-1

record at TTUN: 4-1
possible replacements: Mike Barwis, Brian Ellerbe, John Harbaugh


Michigan turned the ball over three times! Against Maryland! And Maryland is terrible! How long can this continue? To say nothing of these "rumors".

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