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College Football: 10 coaches on the hottest seats entering 2018

By Patrick Mayhorn

LAWRENCE, KS - NOVEMBER 28: Head coach David Beaty of the Kansas Jayhawks watches from the sidelines during the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Memorial Stadium on November 28, 2015 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KS - NOVEMBER 28: Head coach David Beaty of the Kansas Jayhawks watches from the sidelines during the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Memorial Stadium on November 28, 2015 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
(Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

2. Kliff Kingsbury

One game saved Kliff Kingbury’s job in 2017. Despite a quick 4-1 start to the season calls for Kliff’s job became quite loud last season. Despite jumping into the top 25 for the first time since 2013, there was still a ton of dissent among Tech fans. All of this is for good reason. Kingsbury probably should’ve been fired after last season.

Let’s go back a bit, and examine why Kliff Kingsbury is on the hot seat at Texas Tech. After being hired in 2013, Kliff has won roughly six games per year. He’s made three bowl games in five seasons. He’s never won more than eight games. His best year, 2013, was with a roster filled with players he didn’t recruit.

Despite that extremely pedestrian resume, Kliff still remains in Lubbock for this upcoming season. All because of one game. Texas Tech’s 27-23 win over a 7-6 Texas team saved Kliff’s job. That win gave Texas Tech their sixth of the season, and sent to a bowl game which they would eventually lose to USF.

With his job secure for yet another season, Kingsbury went out and landed the worst recruiting class in the Big 12, filled to the brim with wide receivers, for no real reason. Now, heading into 2018, Kingsbury needs to find a new quarterback, a new running back, and replace all three of their leading receivers from 2017. What could possibly go wrong?

What does Kingsbury need?

Based on the precedent set in the past, Kingsbury probably needs to make another bowl game. Unfortunately for him, I don’t think Texas Tech has anywhere near the talent they had last season, especially on offense. Whoever takes over for Nic Shimonek at quarterback will likely be a step backwards. The receivers almost have to be worse than they were last year. It’ll be very hard to run a successful air raid with this roster.

Defensively, Tech was better than usual last year. Led by defensive coordinator David Gibbs, it may even be a bright spot this year. That still probably won’t be enough to make a return appearance to a bowl game. I think this is Kinsbury’s final stand, and barring a breakout performance from someone like McLane Carter, I think he will be replaced come December.

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