Harbaugh is among coaches on hot seat
The holiday weekend wasn’t festive for several college football coaches who kicked off the season with disappointing losses. Keep an eye on these five coaches on the hot seat this season:
David Beaty, Kansas
The Buzz: Things went from bad to horrific quickly in Lawrence after the Jayhawks stumbled in their opener against Nicholls State, falling 26-23. It was the second loss to a team from the Football Championship Subdivision in the threeplus seasons since Beaty arrived in town. Kansas has now lost 11 consecutive games, the second longest losing record in the nation (behind UTEP). The Kansas program is 3-34 overall under the 47-year-old coach and is mired in a 10-game losing streak in the Big 12. Kansas chancellor Douglas Girod and new athletics director Jeff Long may soon run out of patience.
Scottie Montgomery, ECU
The Buzz: It’s hard to believe East Carolina is only five years removed from a 10-win season and just four years from being ranked in the Associated Press Top 25. But things took a dramatic turn when Ruffin McNeil, who compiled a 42-35 record, was fired and replaced with firsttime coach Montgomery. Since then, ECU has compiled a 6-19 record, including a shocking 28-23 loss to North Carolina A&T Sunday. It was the second straight season the Pirates opened with a loss to an FCS foe.
Kliff Kingsbury, Texas Tech
The Buzz: Kingsbury was the next big thing in Big 12 coaching when he took the job in 2013, but the Red Raiders have yet to break through under the former Texas Tech quarterback. During his five-plus seasons in Lubbock, Kingsbury has compiled a record of 30-34 and hasn’t finished higher than fifth in the Big 12 standings. Saturday’s loss to Ole Miss was the first defeat in a season opener since 2002. The program is also riding a 17-game losing streak to teams ranked in the top 25.
Jim Harbaugh, Michigan
The Buzz: This may seem like a bit of an over-reaction but Michigan’s performance in a 24-17 loss to Notre Dame Saturday night was so bad that it makes you question the direction of the program under Harbaugh. Just ask Braylon Edwards, who was suspended by the Big Ten Network for his criticism of the team. There’s no denying the enigmatic coach has done a tremendous job bolstering the Michigan brand following the Brady Hoke era, but a 1-5 record against rivals Ohio State and Michigan State as well as a 17-game road losing streak to ranked teams have sent Wolverines fans into a tailspin. This team is loaded with talent and nothing less than a Big Ten title could help Harbaugh avoid eventually getting fired.
Tom Herman, Texas
The Buzz: While firing Herman seems highly unlikely at the moment, he is starting to feel some pressure following another disappointing loss to Maryland in a season opener. During both games, the Longhorns were double-digit favorites and ranked in the top 25. The program is coming off its first bowl appearance since 2014 and its first bowl win since 2012, but the offense once again looks out of sync. With a large contract, it’s hard to see a scenario in which Herman is fired this season, but this program can’t risk falling further behind instate programs like Texas A&M.