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10 college football coaches who need turnarounds to avoid 2017 hot seat

By Zach Bigalke

Nov 26, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly argues a call in the fourth quarter against the USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USC won 45-27. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly argues a call in the fourth quarter against the USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USC won 45-27. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 5, 2016; Pullman, WA, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Rich Rodriguez looks on against the Washington State Cougars during the second half at Martin Stadium. The Cougars won 69-7. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Pullman, WA, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Rich Rodriguez looks on against the Washington State Cougars during the second half at Martin Stadium. The Cougars won 69-7. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /

Rich Rodriguez has always been a polarizing figure at every stop along the way. He helped restore West Virginia to prominence in the first decade of the 21st century, and turned down overtures from Alabama to remain at the school. Then Michigan came calling, and Rodriguez bolted on his alma mater to take over the Wolverines gig. Of course, that lasted just three years until he was run out of Ann Arbor.

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Rodriguez was given a lifeline back into coaching by Arizona after a year away from the game, and he instilled a competitive spirit that had waned in the last years under previous coach Mark Stoops. Once Rich Rod could no longer rely on Stoops’ recruits, however, the Wildcats fell from a bowl team to 3-9 in 2016.

The 2017 season will be a litmus test for Rodriguez as he tries to right the ship once again in Tucson. In a tough Pac-12 South, the Wildcats will need to at least return to bowl eligibility if Rodriguez hopes to remain comfortably in his post.

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