Feeling the heat Coaches who need job security

Every year, college football coaches around the country must deal with rumors about their job security because of their team’s performance. While it might be early in the season, the rumor mill never stops. Here is a list of coaches that could be feeling the heat come bowl season and the reasons why. Their job security will be rated by the patented Commonwealth Times Fire-O-Meter. The Fire-O-Meter works as follows:

ACC

The coach: Tom O’Brien, N.C. State

The reason: O’Brien is still new on the block, so putting
him on the Fire-O-Meter might seem a little bit pre-mature. However, with the rapid improvement of rivals North Carolina and Duke, Wake Forest’s current status on top of the league and East Carolina’s early season wins, it’s hard for the Wolfpack to stand out in-state. N.C. State has been limited this season because of injuries, but if the team doesn’t come back strong next season, the Wolfpack faithful could become restless.

The rating: Loosening the tie. O’Brien will get time, but he better compete with the in-state rivals if he wants to keep his job.

BIG EAST

The coach: Greg Schiano, Rutgers

The reason: Since being name head coach after the 2000 season, Schiano has turned the Scarlet Knights from Big East doormats to a respectable program. Schiano has led the Scarlet Knights to three straight bowl appearances, going 2-1 in those games. But this season has started out slow for Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights are currently 1-3 and that win came against Morgan State. If Schiano doesn’t get Rutgers back on track, he might regret his decision to pass on the Miami job.

The rating: Loosening the tie. Schiano has brought the Rutgers into relevance since taking over. The school is planning to build a new athletic facility and the athletic department has done everything in its power to keep Schiano on the sidelines. Schiano has years before he has to start worrying about his job.

ACC

The coach: Ralph Friedgen, Maryland

The reason: After taking the Terrapins from conference doormat to conference contender in his first season, the Fridge’s teams haven’t had the same pop lately and have been wildly inconsistent, especially at the quarterback position.

The rating: Loosening the tie. Maryland started the season with an unconvincing win against Delaware and a loss to Middle Tennessee State, but has since won three in a row. Friedgen isn’t likely to receive a lot of pressure from his alma mater, but the team must become more consistent.

BIG EAST

The coach: Bill Stewart, West Virginia

The reason: After leading the Mountaineers to a win against Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl last season as interim coach, Stewart signed a six-year deal to become the head coach at West Virginia. The Mountaineers were expected to compete for the national title with quarterback Pat White and halfback Noel Divine running the spread-option attack. But the Mountaineers have only started 2-2 this season, losing games to East Carolina and Colorado. The best thing they can hope for this season is the Big East crown and an automatic BCS berth. While it’s still early in the Stewart era, he will have to prove that he can continue the success that Rich Rodriguez started.

The rating: Loosening the tie. Stewart has just taken over, so the athletic department will give him time. He just signed a six-year deal and the players love him. After the win over Oklahoma, it was reported that players went to the athletic department and asked them to keep Stewart. As long as Stewart keeps the program on track, he should be fine.

SEC

The coach: Steve Spurrier, South Carolina

The reason: This one is somewhat of a reach, but the “Ol’ Ball Coach’s” promise of football glory and national championships hasn’t come to fruition at USC . errr . South Carolina. Spurrier has long been known as a quarterback guru, but his quarterbacks at South Carolina have been mediocre at best. Since his arrival, the Gamecocks have become a team to watch, but not the type of contender everyone hoped for.

The rating: Loosing the tie. It would take a lot for any athletic program to get the guts to fire a coaching legend-heck, Lou Holtz didn’t even get fired after his South Carolina teams failed . miserably.

ACC

The Coach: Tommy Bowden, Clemson

The Reason: Every season, Bobby’s son appears to have the best team in the conference-and every season the Tigers seem to fall flat on their faces. This season, Clemson appeared to have an easy entrance to the BCS and possibly a shot at the national title, but a blowout loss to Alabama and a stunning defeat at home at the hands of Maryland might have popped both bubbles.

The Rating: Standing next to the heater. The coaching staff has failed to meet expectations year in and year out but continues to recruit well. If the Tigers win out or get to the conference championship, game Bowden will probably stay employed. However, if Clemson isn’t in the BCS picture at season’s end, heads could roll.

PAC-10

The coach: Jeff Tedford, California

The reason: Tedford has actually had a decent coaching career at California. He has led the Golden Bears to a 50-26 record since 2002. He is 4-1 in bowls with California. The main reason Tedford is on this list is because he has failed to get Cal over the hump. The Golden Bears have failed to win a conference championship in Tedford’s reign. They haven’t been to a BCS bowl game in his tenure as head coach. With Pete Carroll and USC in the Pac-10, it’s hard to see when Cal will win the conference title.

The rating: Standing next to the heater. While Tedford has had a good career at California, it hasn’t been spectacular. The fact is Tedford needs to prove that he can be a big time college coach. That means that Tedford will have to find a way to dethrone USC.

PAC-10

The coach: Mike Stoops, Arizona

The reason: Stoops has led the Wildcats to a 20-30 record and no bowl appearances since being named the head coach in 2003. He has never led the Wildcats to a winning record. His best record was 6-6 in 2006. Stoops has not lived up to the expectations that was placed upon him when he took the job. It has to be frustrating for Stoops to struggle at Arizona while his brother, Bob, has built a powerhouse at Oklahoma.

The rating: Standing next to the heater. Stoops has started the season at a respectable 3-1. Luckily for Stoops, the Pac-10 is not as strong as it usually is. The rest of the schedule is manageable, with the exception of USC. If Stoops can guide the Wildcats to a bowl this season, he might buy himself a little more time.