Coaches on the Hot Seat: Midseason Update

Halfway through the season, it's time to update my list of coaches on the hot season. The preseason post can be found here.


Ralph Friedgen (Maryland) - Maryland started strong winning four of the first five games. Several tough games remain on the schedule, but Maryland only needs to win two more to get to a bowl game. Three conference wins and an EagleBank appearance may keep Friedgen's job.

Tom O'Brien (NC State) - NC State had been toiling in mediocrity under O'Brien until this season. NC State is 5-2 and is a contender to win the Atlantic division. Before the season, I said that O'Brien would survive another year but needed a big season to cool down his seat. It looks like he's going to get it.

Dan Hawkins (Colorado) - Colorado picked up a huge non-conference win over Georgia, but is still just 3-3 with two blowout losses. With Colorado moving to the Pac-10 next season, they may want to start over with a new head coach as well.

Ron Zook (Illinois) - The Illini played well against the toughest part of their schedule. With an easier rest of the slate, Illinois should be able to make it to at least a lower-level bowl game. With the promise of a talented young freshman quarterback, the Zooker probably isn't going anywhere.

Richard Rodriguez (Michigan) - Michigan started off strong before losing to Michigan State and Iowa. While everyone was fawning over Denard Robinson's insane stats and Michigan being back, nobody was talking about their soft schedule. Michigan should end their streak of losing seasons this year, but will the Michigan faithful be happy with a 7-5 record?

Neil Callaway (UAB) - Callaway needs to make it to a bowl game to feel safe. He missed big opportunity for a marquee win when UAB lost to Tennessee in overtime. UAB has the schedule to make it to a bowl game, but the loss to FAU in the opener might haunt them.

George O'Leary (UCF) - It looks like it will be back to back winning seasons for the first time for UCF under O'Leary. He's not going anywhere.

Bob Toledo (Tulane) - Tulane is only 2-4 but they did pick up a nice win over Rutgers, their first win over an AQ team since 2006. A couple more wins this season and he should be back.

Mike Price (UTEP) - Mike Price has ridden an easy schedule to a 5-2 start. He may want to retire after a good season, or he may try to build on a winning season. Regardless, he isn't going to get forced out at the end of the year.

Stan Parrish (Ball St) - Parrish was Brady Hoke's replacement after he left for San Diego State. Ball State promoted from within to try to keep some of the momentum that Hoke had created. Instead, Parrish has gone 4-16 with two losses to FCS schools. He just gave Eastern Michigan their first win of the season. Parrish has a lifetime coaching record of 6-46-1 and will likely be forced out sooner than later.

Mike Locksley (New Mexico) - New Mexico is Winless through the first half of the season and has been outscored by an average of 34 points per game. On the plus side, I haven't heard of any new allegations against Locksley this season.

Paul Wulff (Washington St) - Washington State's Only win so far is against an FCS team. The offense is better than his first two seasons, but they are still giving up 40+ points per game. I don't think he'll make to a fourth season.

Mark Richt (Georgia) - I didn't see this one coming in the offseason. A four game losing streak and an 0-3 start to conference play was not expected to be part of the first half of the season. With blowout wins over Tennessee and Vanderbilt, Georgia could still make it to a bowl game. From all accounts, Richt is well liked by the administration, and I think he can survive one losing season.

Robbie Caldwell (Vanderbilt) - Caldwell was named the interim head coach after Bobby Johnson unexpectedly retired. Then Vanderbilt removed the interim label. Vanderbilt picked up a nice win over Mississippi, but wins are always hard to come by for the Commodores. I wouldn't be surprised if Vanderbilt reopened the coaching search in the offseason.

Todd Dodge (North Texas) - Dodge was hailed as an offensive guru from prestigious Southlake Carroll High School, but the transition to the college game has been disappointing. With only one win in 2010 and only six in his tenure, he could find himself back in the high school ranks again.

Tim Brewster (Minnesota) - Tim Brewster was fired after going 1-6 in his first seven games of the season.