No. 4 – Jeff Scott – South Florida
One head coach for whom ‘it’s just year two’ probably will not help is Jeff Scott. The longtime Clemson assistant was thought to bring offensive acumen and knowing how to win from Clemson to Tampa. Now 14 games into Scott’s first head coaching job, there is doubt about him being college football head coach material. Even with a program not accustomed to winning, starting out with two wins in 14 games is approaching ‘we’ve got to do something’ time. At 1-4 this season, the only win was over Florida A&M. It is quickly looking as though Scott needs four wins out of the next seven games or he is out.
No. 3 – Scott Frost – Nebraska
If Scott Frost makes it past 2021 in Lincoln, Nebraska fans will be complaining they were not asked to help fund a buyout. Now in his fourth season at his alma mater, Frost is 15-24; a win record of 38.5 percent. Frost was a quarterback star in Lincoln in the 1990s. After his success with UCF, he was billed as a Cornhusker savior. 2021 has to be the turnaround season for Frost. Now at 3-4, two of the wins were over Fordham and Buffalo. There have been three close losses to three top teams; Oklahoma, Michigan State and Michigan. With probable losses ahead to Ohio State and Iowa, it looks like Nebraska must win its other three games against Minnesota, Purdue and Wisconsin in order for Frost to hang on for another season.
No. 2 – Manny Diaz – Miami
Manny Diaz has been unlucky in Miami, losing D’Eriq King to injury in each of the last two seasons. Now King’s backup is out with an injury until sometime in November.
Unfortunately for Diaz, being viewed as unlucky will not save him. He is another coach in the state of Florida that is being questioned as college football head coach material. His head coaching record of 16-13 is not horrible, but it is far below the expectations for the Hurricane’s program. The Canes could and probably will lose the next three. After that, it will probably take winning three out of the last four, taking Miami to a 5-7 record on the season, for Manny to get a fourth season with the Canes.
No. 1 – Ed Orgeron – LSU
Coach O is all but assured of being fired by LSU. The fanbase is clamoring for it. Even Orgeron appears to know what is coming. Will he make it to the end of the season? A guess is no – after another loss, this weekend to Florida, look for LSU to cut their National Championship coach loose.
Note: The college football team and coaching data in this post are from sports-reference.com
Ed Orgeron is the only SEC head coach on shaky ground. One current SEC coach, in particular, will have chances to move to a higher profile program after the season.