Nebraska, Tennessee & Texas Struggling With Fresh Coaches
Three major college football programs have hired coaches the past couple of years and all three may be having second thoughts about the coaches they chose at the time.
Alumni and fans certainly are, and are venting their frustrations on Twitter.
Nebraska, Tennessee and Texas thought they made smart hires with Mike Riley, Butch Jones and Charlie Strong. But this year they are 2-3, 2-3 and 1-4 for a combined 5-10, with no wins coming against any legitimate competition.
Nebraska has lost to Miami and Illinois, Texas has been blown out twice and Tennessee has developed an annoying habit (for its fans) of building two-touchdown leads and then going into hiding.
If this continues, it’s possible that both Jones and Strong won’t survive the season, pretty amazing considering Jones is just in his third year and Strong his second. Riley is safe – for now – because he’s in his first year.
Or is he – Miami and Illinois are two of the worst major college teams in football.
Auburn & Oregon Coaches On The Hot Seat – Sort Of New Hires
But these are not the only coaches feeling the heat at big-time programs. Two other coaches who have been at their schools for a couple more years are also feeling the heat from fans and alumni as their teams underwhelm on the field.
Guz Malzahn is struggling at Auburn and Mark Helfrich is on thin ice at Oregon.
Malzahn was perceived as a savior by Auburn people. Until this year when his offense has looked pathetic and the defense is not the least improved from previous years with Will Muschamp as coordinator.
What people who picked the Tigers to content for a title this year ignored is the fact the Tigers were only 8-5 last year. And lost their quarterback.
Helfrich is fresh off a National Championship appearance, but after getting smoked by Utah – Utah!? – Oregon fans were quick to give credit for all the past success to Marcus Mariota.
These coaches will likely have one more year to pull things together before they are shown the exit.
Strong and Jones may not, however.
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