MORE ASK FARRELL: Will Texas be a contender? Or will it struggle?
Unless there are some major surprises this season, the coaching carousel could be tame again after this season, but it’s still worth watching which coaches enter this season on the hot seat.
If one, two or three of these coaches get replaced, then a lot of other changes could be coming and this is an interesting year because there is a good chance at least some of these coaches could have a big year and save their hides.
Others could be on the way out quickly.
Let’s start with USC coach Clay Helton, who brought in new offensive coordinator Graham Harrell to reinvent the offense after a 5-7 season. If that doesn’t get done and the Trojans struggle again, USC could easily make a move on Helton.
Again, Auburn coach Gus Malzahn finds himself on the hot seat entering the season after a disappointing 8-5 mark last season. There are some coaching changes there as well. Malzahn has had only two double-digit winning seasons in six seasons.
Lovie Smith is recruiting much better at Illinois but the results are not being seen on the field yet. In three seasons, Smith is 9-27 and has won only four conference games during that stretch.
Rutgers’ Chris Ash, Boston College’s Steve Addazio and Ole Miss’ Matt Luke could be three others to watch heading into the season. It will also be interesting to see if Willie Taggart enters hot-seat territory if Florida State doesn’t turn it around quickly after an ugly 5-7 debut.
FARRELL'S TAKE
We ask Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell which coach or coaches he thinks will turn things around and keep their jobs and maybe a name or two that is most at risk for being replaced after this season.
“Taggart is safe, so we can forget about that. There’s no way Florida State gets rid of him after two years even if the Seminoles struggle again. I don’t know why Addazio is on the list because he’s done well enough at Boston College to ensure his safety even if the Eagles disappoint.
The rest will be interesting. Obviously Helton is on the hottest seat and he's gone if USC doesn’t win the Pac-12. Malzahn has a huge contract. Otherwise I’d have him high on this list as well. To me it’s all about Helton and what kind of chain reaction occurs if he’s replaced.”
