The Five College Football Coaches on the Hot Seat
By Ty Duffy
Mike Sherman (Texas A&M) Mike Sherman has embraced every tradition at Texas A&M except, you know, winning. He commenced with a loss to Arkansas St. at home and kept right on rolling. He has a 10-15 overall record, 5-11 in the Big 12. He is 1-7 against Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Oklahoma St. Scant evidence of the decided schematic advantage you expect hiring an NFL head coach.
Dan Hawkins (Colorado) “It’s division one FOOTball! It’s the Big 12!” That rant is the only noteworthy thing to come from Hawkins’ time at Colorado. Well, that and his goofy haircut. He’s 16-33 overall and 10-22 in the Big 12. His apex was the 2007 season, when they finished 6-6 and lost the Independence Bowl. The Buffaloes will begin a new chapter when they move to the Pac-10. It will probably be with a different coach. At least no one has been sexually assaulted.
Ralph Friedgen (Maryland) Friedgen began his Maryland tenure as a vixen with three ten win seasons, but lately he’s been frigid and unappealing. Maryland has had losing records four of the last six seasons and winning record in the ACC just once. Last season they slid from mediocrity to ineptitude, finishing 2-10. One of the wins came against Division I-AA James Madison, in overtime. It’s hard to see him staying without eight or nine wins.
Dennis Erickson (Arizona State) Erickson started well, leading the Sun Devils to a 10-3 record, and a share of the Pac-10 title. His last two seasons, however, have been disappointing and sub-500. Last year’s team went 2-7 in the Pac 10 and lost their last six in a row. If his junior college transfers don’t bounce the team back to a winning record, Erickson is probably out.
[Photo via Getty]