5 reasons why Rich Rodriguez should be on the hot seat in 2017
By Zach Bigalke
Entering his sixth season in Tucson, Rich Rodriguez faces heat after a losing season in 2016? Here’s why Rodriguez should be on the hot seat this year.
In their recent Hot Seat Rankings, CBS Sports listed Arizona Wildcats head coach Rich Rodriguez as one of five coaches under intense pressure. After four straight winning seasons in Arizona, the Wildcats regressed to 3-9 in 2016.
It was the first losing season for the Wildcats under Rodriguez. Arizona went bowling every year between 2012 and 2015, including a Fiesta Bowl appearance in 2014. But last year an overtime loss to Washington snowballed into an eight-game losing streak. The Wildcats ended the year with a Territorial Cup win over rival Arizona State, but it was a small reward as the season still ended earlier than usual.
One cannot live on past glories forever. Rodriguez is unquestionably a good football coach, especially on the offensive side of the ball. But are the Wildcats trending upward or downward in a tough Pac-12 South? Though it seems drastic, it is worth wondering whether Arizona can right the ship this season. Here are five reasons why Rodriguez certainly belongs on the hot seat in 2017.