The countdown to the upcoming college football season is underway and there are a lot of questions concerning some of the coaches at high profile schools. I am not saying that the group of coaches listed below are on the hot seat, but, for various reasons, some need to have big years or next year we will be talking about them being on the hot seat.
Lane Kiffin – USC. For all of his shenanigans over the last few years, he was relatively quiet last year. Maybe he has finally grown up and realized that jobs like USC don’t come along too often. The Trojans are poised to have a great year and if he produces a National Champion this year, he will be safe for a long time. But if the Trojans fall well short of that expectation, look out. Clearly, they have the best QB in the land and the talent around Matt Barkley to win it all.
Dabo Sweeney – Clemson. The Clemson faithful just won’t let go of the Danny Ford era. Yes, he did win a National Championship for them but that was long, long time ago. Let it go folks!! Dabo has a ton of energy and recruited wonderfully since arriving in Death Valley. However, there is gentleman done the road by the name of Steve Superior that owns the state of South Carolina right now. USC has owned Clemson the last few years and the Gamecocks are landing the top in state players right now. Can Dabo take this program to the next level or are the Tigers locked in that 8-4, 7-5 type of record every year? They can’t afford another bowl massacre like they had last year against West Virginia.
Football – South Carolina Official Athletic Site
Brian Kelly – Notre Dame. I love his hard nosed attitude and the fire he brings to the Golden Domers sideline. I think that had been lacking and it has taking a few years for the alumni to see that. Their record should have been a lot better than it was last year – it certainly was not his fault for all of the costly turnovers in the end zone or late in the game by their QB’s. Recruiting better athletes over the last few years has improved but the ND faithful want wins – period. Once again, the IRISH have a brutal schedule and getting to 9 or 10 wins will be tough. If the decision makers at the university stand behind Coach Kelly, he WILL lead them back to national prominence!
Mark Richt – Georgia. Doesn’t it seem like Coach Richt is on the hot seat every year? Lately the Bulldogs have gotten off to a slow start and poured it on to finish strong seemingly saving his job for another year. I don’t think Bulldog Nation will put up with a bad start this year. Georgia has the softest schedule in the country and I do think the pressure is on this year. No Arkansas, LSU, or Alabama on this years schedule. Instead, they play powerhouses Florida Atlantic, Buffalo, and Georgia Southern. They didn’t deserve to be in last year’s SEC Championship game ( South Carolina beat them and was the better team ) and they may skate into this year’s championship game once again because of their cupcake schedule. Anything short of a 11-1 record could spell the end of the Mark Richt era.
Will Muschamp – Florida. Not fair to question him just yet but Florida has been spoiled over the years due to the success of Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyer. The problem is that they just have not played well the last few years and that FSU is making a move up the ladder – quickly! The state of Florida is a recruiting hotbed for the Big 3 ( Miami, FSU, and Florida ) and the Seminoles are taking over again. Right now, the Gators are a fringe Top 25 team and the Seminoles are a Top 15 team. Coach Will and the Gators need to win 8 games, win a bowl game, and have a Top 10 type of recruiting year to remain safe.
Urban Meyer – Ohio State. What?? He hasn’t even coached a game yet and I am saying he has to win now. Think about this. With the success of Brady Hoke and the Michigan Wolverines last year, it automatically adds more pressure to Ohio State. Michigan is off to a GREAT recruiting year for 2013. Notre Dame is getting better players. The situation around Penn State makes it even tougher now because Notre Dame, Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State are competing for the same kids. Things are about to heat up in that part of the country and those rivalries will get even better. If Coach Meyer can stand the heat, the Buckeyes will return to the top again.
Mack Brown – Texas. Since Texas won the BCS Championship, they have seemingly fallen off the football map. Just a few years ago the Longhorns got every major prospect in the state of Texas. In the last few years, programs like Baylor, TCU, and Texas Tech have improved dramatically and the Longhorn luster has diminished. No doubt, Coach Brown is a legend and they will rise again. Just how long will the faithful take a backseat to the other Texas schools, Southern Cal, Oklahoma, or any school from the SEC?
Derek Dooley – Tennessee. Coach Fulmer left the program in shambles and it’s been a tough struggle getting the program competitive again. They are making strides but one has to wonder how much longer the Rocky Top crowd will support a .500 team. Recruiting is getting better but the Vols have been forced to play with freshman and sophomores the last few years. Tennessee used to go into South Carolina and Georgia to take their state’s top players. Those doors have been closed the last few years. The lone bright spot has been those orange pants Coach Dooley wears on the sidelines! Right now, South Carolina and Georgia own the SEC East and I just don’t see that changing anytime soon. Good Luck Coach Dooley!
As we approach the much anticipated kickoff to another great season, here are my top QB’s to keep an eye on:
Posted By A To Z On Sports
January 16th, 2013 
BBParks 
Posted in 
Tags: 
