As usual in every college football season, the coaching hot seat is like a raging inferno for some coaches, and others are just getting warmed up.
Here is a list of the coaches’ chairs that could spontaneously combust in 2022, in no particular order.
Coaching Hot Seat-The Seat is on Fire!
Scott Frost, Nebraska (2021 record: 3–9)
A former Cornhusker quarterback, Frost came back to his alma mater after a successful 2-year stretch at UCF. He went 19–7 with the Knights, including 13–0 in 2017 and a win over Auburn in the Peach Bowl.
However, going into his 5th season in Lincoln, he has accumulated a 15–29 record. But, they have added new coaches, and QB Adrian Martinez transferred to Kansas State. Texas transfer QB Casey Thompson arrives to take his place. It’s 7 wins or better for the Huskers, or Frost could be out of a job.
Geoff Collins, Georgia Tech (2021 record: 3–9)
Going into year 4, Georgia Tech has gone just 9–25 under Collins. They have won just seven ACC games in three years and haven’t beaten a ranked opponent during Collins’s tenure. Tech opens the 2022 season vs preseason #4 Clemson. Talk about going from the frying pan into the fire right out of the gate.
Jonathan Smith, Oregon State (2021 record: 7–6)
Even with a bowl appearance last season (a loss), the Beavers haven’t been very intimidating under Smith’s watch, posting a 16–28 record going into year five of his tenure.
Under Smith, the Beavers have just two wins vs ranked opponents.
Tom Allen, Indiana (2021 record: 2–10)
2022 will mark Allen’s sixth year with the Hoosiers, with a 26–32 record in Bloomington.
Last season, the Hoosiers did not win a conference game, going 0–9 vs the Big Ten.
Indiana is essentially starting over, with new coaches and new players at the skill positions. They play Ohio State and Michigan State on the road in consecutive weeks. It’s a winning record in conference play and a bowl game, or bust.
The Hot Seat-Is it getting warm in here, or is it just me?
These coaches are starting to feel the heat and will need to have a much improved season in 2022 in order to cool off the old coaching chair.
Justin Wilcox, California (2021 record: 5–7)
Wilcox has led the Bears to an uninspiring 26–28 record as he goes into his sixth season with the Bears.
David Shaw, Stanford (2021 record: 3–9)
Stanford, under Shaw, has gone just 11–19 in the last three years, after going 72–26 in his first eight years in Palo Alto with 8 straight bowl appearances.
Willie Fritz, Tulane (2021 record: 2–10)
The Green Wave have gone just 31–43 in six years under Fritz.
Jeff Scott, South Florida (2021 record: 2–10)
A former Clemson assistant, Scott has led the Bulls to just three wins in 2 years (3–18). Former Baylor starter Gerry Bohannon transfers in and could be penciled as the starter at quarterback for the Bulls. He could be the catalyst for success in 2022.
Eli Drinkwitz, Missouri (2021 record: 6–7)
Drinkwitz got the Missouri job after a 12–1 campaign at Appalachian State in 2019. But with the Tigers, he is just 11–12 in two years. Coordinator turnover has been a common occurrence during his entire tenure at Missouri.
And the schedule is challenging again this season, with notable road games at Kansas State, Florida, and Tennessee. They play Georgia, Kentucky, and Arkansas at home.
Coaching Hot Seat-Win or go home
The way college football is these days, with the “what have you done for me lately” edict, the coaches listed above better show huge improvement this season. Otherwise, a multi-million-dollar buyout clause paying head coaches not to be head coaches will certainly be invoked.
Thanks for reading.