Hot Seat
These guys need a good year otherwise they could be looking for a new job.
If Muschamp was let go last season not too many would have batted an eye. You don't go 4-8 at Florida and expect to keep your job. Especially after losing to a FCS school at home. Muschamp's biggest mistake was wanting a power running attack when they have athletes all around. New OC Kurt Roper was brought in from Duke to revamp the offense. But don't think another bad season won't cost him his job.
Warm Seat
It's not make or break, but a bad year could end up having their AD make a tough choice.
Remember when Hoke won ten games and the Sugar Bowl in his first season. Then brought in two top ten recruiting classes? All of those are distant memories after back to back seven win seasons. Those highly touted recruiting classes haven't panned out and now the Wolverines are in a tougher division. He likely isn't gonna lose his job after this year. But another seven win season will get him right on the hot seat.
Better Get it Going
Their job isn't in jeopardy, but another underachieving year could lead them to being on the hot seat next year.
After Nebraska lost to Iowa to end the regular season many (including Pelini) thought he was going to be fired. Instead Pelini got the vote of confidence from his AD. But don't let that fool you. Pelini needs to get past losing four games each year and start winning some championships. They'll have a shot this year with only Wisconsin standing in the way. But another 9-4 season and the seat is only going to get hotter.
College to NFL
With the success of Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly, we'll likely see more and more teams try to lure coaches to come to the NFL.
Gus Malzahn
The Cleveland Browns were very high on Malzahn this past off season before he turned them down for a shot at a National Title. Malzahn is an offensive genius and his power running game translates better to the NFL than many think. But like others before him he'll need to find the right job to leave for. And for somebody whose so scheme specific he'll have to find a place that gives him player personal power.
Bob Stoops
When you win championships early in your tenure and then haven't done so in a while there tends to be some pressure and unrest. Now I don't see Stoops being forced out, but he could get tired with some of the overly high expectations and want to test himself in the NFL. So if a team like Dallas came calling he could make that jump.
Brian Kelly
Let's face it, Kelly is a ladder climber. He started out in Division II, went to Central Michigan, Cincinnati, and then Notre Dame. The Eagles were really close to hiring him before he turned them down. NFL teams are going to continue to come after him and it's only a matter of time he moves on.
Top Coordinators
These guys could be leading their own program come next season
Scott Frost, Oregon Offensive Coordinator
First year as a coordinator and Marcus Mariota being injured were likely reasons the Ducks offense didn't have it's usual dominance. That likely cooled some of his momentum. However Frost will improve in year two and teams will come calling again. He was a finalist for the LaTech job but likely gets a better opprotunity. He's got ties in the West and Midwest.
Chad Morris, Clemson Offensive Coordinator
It's not that the highest paid coordinator in all of football isn't getting offers, but he's wisely looking for the right opening. His offense puts up points in a hurry and he's very good on the recuiting trail. ACC and SEC schools have shown interest, but his ties to Texas could make him a candidate in Big 12 too.
Pat Narduzzi, Michigan State Defensive Coordinator
Narduzzi's defenses have been the driving force behind Michigan State's rise up the Big 10 standings. He's done a great job scheme wise and through player development. Big 10 teams would love to have him but he'll have success wherever he goes. Illinois could be an option if they have an opening.
Jeremy Pruitt, Georgia Defensive Coordinator
One of the fastest rising assistant coaches is Pruitt. He's coached for Nick Saban, was the defensive coordinator for National Champion Florida State, and now is running the defense in Georgia. If he can mold the Bulldogs into a SEC Title then it's only a matter of time before he gets to run his own program.
Small school to Power 5
Remember these names because they could be leading one of the big programs before we know it.
Matt Campbell, Toledo
Young, energetic, and a bright offensive mind are all words to describe Campbell. Year two wasn't as great as his first year, but the Rockets are going to be favorites to win the MAC West and that only increases his stock. Big 10 teams love to hire out of the MAC and he's likely the next to go. Illinois is the likely opening but I doubt they want another coach from Toledo. He may have to wait a couple of years.
Justin Fuente, Memphis
If your able to have success at Memphis then people are going to notice. But the former TCU offensive coordinator is doing that. Add in his ties to Texas and you'd think a team in the Big 12 (Kansas) would show interest.
Mark Hudspeth, Louisiana-Lafayette
He was a contender for the Ole Miss job that went to Hugh Freeze. Hudspeth has built a year in and year out contender in the Sun Belt. That's saying something for a program who had only won nine games twice. His southern experience makes him a candidate for SEC openings and if Miss State moves on from Dan Mullen then he could be an option.
Curtis Johnson, Tulane
The New Orleans native really caught everybody's attention this past season when he lead the Green Wave to a seven win season and their first bowl game in almost ten years. He'll be a contender for SEC openings, especially if Les Miles ever leaves LSU.
Willie Taggart, South Florida
Taggert has a ton going for him that are going to be very attractive for Power 5 conference teams. He's a former Jim Harbaugh assistant, he took a winless Western Kentucky team and turned them into a Sun Belt contender, and he's a Florida kid who has great ties to the high schools there. His ties could lead him to getting a job in any of the top conferences.
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