By: Mike Huesmann
10. Dave Aranda, Baylor
Record at current school: 23-22
2023 record: 3-6
Baylor is not performing up to standards in 2023. Many predicted they’d have the best defense in the Big 12 but that hasn’t come close to being true. Most recently, the Bears got beat by Iowa State at home and a struggling Houston. That was a bad loss against another coach who’s on this list.
9. Stan Drayton, Temple
Record at current school: 6-15
2023 record: 3-6
Drayton makes his debut on this list coming off of one of the few wins in his Temple tenure. His team last year was 3-9. They’re now 3-6 this year in which they’ve had trouble keeping QBs healthy and stopping anyone on defense. Another win and he might be safe, but I wouldn’t count on it. They have not passed the eye test too often.
8. Tony Elliott, Virginia
Record at current school: 5-14
2023 record: 2-7
The Cavs look poor this year, outside of the fantastic win against North Carolina and a battle with Miami which they still lost. They briefly looked competitive midseason after beating North Carolina but have fallen to Miami and Georgia Tech since then. Will Elliott see season #3? I think so. Should he? I’m not so sure. The Cavs look like a lock to lose 9 or more games in 2023.
7. Billy Napier, Florida
Record at current school: 11-11
2023 record: 5-4
An opening loss really had Napier on the hot seat. The Gators schedule is a gauntlet and a string of losses will make people forget the win over the Vols. The loss to Georgia wasn’t a shock but the Gators didn’t put up much resistance. The loss in the Swamp to Arkansas was a bad one. LSU, Mizzou, and Florida State remain on the schedule. A bowl appearance and winning record probably keep him around for 2024 but that’s no certainty.
6. Sam Pittman, Arkansas
Record at current school: 22-23
2023 record: 3-6
A year or two ago the Hogs looked to be surging and primed to take that next step. Things have stalled mightily. Rocket Sanders being hurt and K.J. Jefferson playing wildly mediocre have been common themes this season. Dan Enos, the first-year offensive coordinator, had already been fired this season. Beating Florida was massive last weekend and the offense looks to have life now. I think 2 more wins and he’s safe, will this happen?
5. Dana Holgorsen, Houston
Record at current school: 31-25
2023 record: 4-5
Holgo got a much-needed win in OT against Baylor last week but he isn’t safe yet. The boosters and fans here expect more considering the resources and recruiting base. A winnable game against Cincinnati this week could bring some more relief here. A loss, which would be the Bearcats' first ever Big XII win, heats the seat back up for Holgorsen.
4. Tom Allen, Indiana
Record at current school: 33-46
2023 record: 3-6
A much-needed win last weekend against Wisconsin was a good step for Allen, but I wonder if it was too late. If he wins 2 of his last 3, there may be a path forward. Allen had a good 2019, winning 8 games, then a fortunate 2020 Covid season going 6-2. Apart from that he does not have a winning season dating back to 2016. I’d be surprised if he makes it to 2024.
3. Danny Gonzales, New Mexico
Record at current school: 10-30
2023 record: 3-6
New Mexico is a tough place to win but Gonzalez hasn’t come close, never winning more than 3 in a season. Gonzales got wins against UMass and Hawaii but has suffered losses to Wyoming, San Jose State, and Nevada that haven’t looked good. Overall, the body of work and eye test just isn’t passing for any FBS team. The next two weeks look like a bridge too far with Boise and Fresno. He may not make Thanksgiving.
2. Will Hall, Southern Miss
Record at current school: 12-22
2023 record: 2-7
The Golden Eagles are in shambles right now. They have veteran standout RB Frank Gore Jr. and not much else. They are coming off win #2 against UL-Monroe but the week before was a catastrophic loss to Appalachian State where they had a lead late and ended up losing 48-38. Hall has not been able to find a consistent QB in his time in Hattiesburg. The 55-3 loss three weeks ago to South Alabama may have been the nadir of his time.
1. Dino Babers, Syracuse
Record at current school: 40-54
2023 record: 4-5
This spot does not change this week. Dino was on the hot seat last year before the 6-0 start for the Orange. Unfortunately, they only won 1 more the rest of the season. This year has looked the same. A 4-0 start has been followed by 5 straight losses. If a 6th straight loss happens at Yankee Stadium to Pitt, I could see Dino being out this weekend.
Fired List:
Mel Tucker, Michigan State (Week 4)
More must-reads: