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As we dive into the midseason of the 2023 college football season, the focus inevitably shifts to the head coaches whose job security is under intense scrutiny. College football, with its high expectations and competitive nature, often places coaches under the spotlight, and any prolonged period of underperformance can lead to significant job insecurity.
In this analysis, we'll examine the hot seat status of five prominent college football coaches. These coaches are grappling with various challenges, from struggling win-loss records to the demanding standards of their programs. Their ability to weather the storm in the remainder of the season will determine whether they continue leading their teams or face uncertain futures.
Now, let's explore the midseason NCAA College Football Hot Seat Rankings for Power Five Coaches as we move past Week 8.
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5. Dave Aranda, Baylor Bears
Record at School: 23-20 / (3-4 in 2023)
Fresh off a close road win against their new conference rival, Cincinnati, Dave Aranda's hot seat got just a tiny bit cooler heading into Week 9. However, a program of this stature has expectations of competing for Big 12 Championships, not fighting battles with the newcomers and bottom-feeders.
Baylor hosts Iowa State this week, a conference rival who has certainly had their own ups and downs this season, including a loss to the Mid-American Conference standout, Ohio. The Cyclones are fresh off a bye week, and both schools really need a win to help reach bowl eligibility.
At home, the Bears are currently two and a half point underdogs to an inconsistent Iowa State team, which tells you all you need to know about how Vegas thinks of them. A win would go a very long way toward bowl contention, which might buy Aranda another season.
4. Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M Aggies
Record at School: 43-24 / (4-3 in 2023)
Prior to their off-week in Week 8, the Aggies lost two straight games, albeit both to ranked opponents. The $75 million contract given to Jimbo Fisher was intended to secure victories in such matchups and position the Aggies as contenders in the SEC alongside Georgia and Alabama.
However, the Aggies are now facing a very likely 7-5 finish, which, unfortunately, represents an improvement from last year. Boosters are dissatisfied with the prospect of merely reaching lowly bowl games after rewarding Fisher with such a massive contract, and there is certainly frustration within the fanbase, which is pushing for change.
Thanks to his astronomically high $76 million buyout if they were to terminate his contract this year, the former Seminole head coach falls a spot in these rankings. While every Aggie fan would love to move on, it would likely take an end-of-season implosion for 2023 to be Fisher's last. Texas A&M faces South Carolina at home, a game they must win convincingly.
3. Sam Pittman, Arkansas Razorbacks
Record at School: 21-23 / (2-6 in 2023)
The Razorbacks suffered a disappointing home loss in Week 8 to Mississippi State, falling in a hard-fought slugfest with a final score of 7-3. Arkansas now holds a record of just 2-6 for the year, with an 0-5 conference play record.
Following a solid 2021 campaign that culminated in a year-end ranking and an Outback Bowl victory, Sam Pittman and the Arkansas team managed to secure a spot in the Liberty Bowl last year, despite finishing with a 3-5 record in the SEC. However, the path to bowl eligibility this season appears challenging, as they still have matchups against Florida, Auburn, and Missouri ahead, and they must win all of them.
The Razorbacks are in dire need of one or two SEC victories to have any hope of preserving Pittman's job, especially considering the increased competition with Texas and Oklahoma joining the conference. Pittman has achieved a .500 or better finish in the SEC only once during his tenure, and this makes it increasingly difficult to secure his future with the team.
2. Justin Wilcox, California Golden Bears
Record At School: 33-40 / (3-4 in 2023)
The bye week has provided a bit of relief for California's head coach, Justin Wilcox, in these rankings, as the idle week helped alleviate some of the pressure he was under. The Golden Bears haven't participated in a bowl game since 2019 under Wilcox's leadership, and it doesn't appear that this streak will come to an end in 2023.
Cal faces USC at home this week, a team that has lost two consecutive games and might be in a vulnerable position. If they can secure a significant upset victory at home, it could potentially earn Wilcox another season at the helm.
With a 3-4 record, it's a daunting task to identify three more potential wins on the remaining schedule to break their bowl drought. They still have matchups against USC, Oregon, and UCLA, in addition to Washington State, who is no pushover either. Unless the Golden Bears can pull off a signature win down the stretch or manage to secure three more victories, it's likely that Cal will seek a coaching change before transitioning to the ACC.
1. Tom Allen, Indiana Hoosiers
Record at School: 32-45 / (2-5 in 2023)
Each week, the seat of Indiana Hoosiers' head coach, Tom Allen, grows increasingly hotter. After a humiliating 52-7 defeat at the hands of Michigan in Week 7, the Hoosiers suffered a 31-14 home loss to Rutgers in Week 8. While Rutgers has improved in recent years, failing to be competitive with them at home is far from a positive outcome.
The only other winless team in Big Ten play this year is Michigan State, who already fired their coach this year due to a scandal. The Hoosiers would require a miraculous unbeaten streak to secure bowl eligibility this year, but their next challenge is taking on Penn State in Happy Valley in Week 9.
Even though Indiana still has games against Illinois, Michigan State, and Purdue on the schedule, they likely need to win all three of those matchups, or at least one against Penn State or Wisconsin, to have any chance of retaining Allen next year. The Big Ten is set to welcome quality programs like Oregon, Washington, USC, and UCLA next year, and Indiana is at risk of falling even further behind in the race for contention.
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