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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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Oct 22, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Oregon State Beavers head coach Gary Andersen walks the sidelines against the Washington Huskies during the fourth quarter at Husky Stadium. Washington won 41-17. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Oregon State Beavers head coach Gary Andersen walks the sidelines against the Washington Huskies during the fourth quarter at Husky Stadium. Washington won 41-17. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /

Gary Andersen parlayed his success at Utah State into the Wisconsin job, where he lasted two years before bolting west to Corvallis. While he managed to sustain success in Madison, though, he has not come close to maintaining the same sort of continuity at Oregon State. Last year at least ended on a bright note as the Beavers ended an eight-game Civil War losing streak with a 34-24 win over rival Oregon.

Andersen will need to maintain that momentum into 2017. A young roster last year gained needed experience and won its last two games entering the offseason. There is no guarantee that Oregon State can return to the postseason, but their non-conference schedule (v. FCS Portland State, v. Minnesota, at Colorado State) offers three winnable opportunities. It is unlikely that Andersen would be run out of town should he fail to go bowling, but another steady dose of improvement is critical. Regression in any way will slide the hot seat closer under Andersen.

More than anything, though, the OSU fan base will be looking to continue a winning streak against the Ducks. If he cannot get the Beavers to bowl eligibility, he would do well to get Oregon State a win at Autzen Stadium for the first time since 2007. Either would keep the hot seat at bay.

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