College Football: 10 coaches who could be on hot seat in 2020

3 of 12

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 14: Head coach Chip Kelly of the UCLA Bruins walks off the field after being defeated by the Oklahoma Sooners 48-14 in a game at the Rose Bowl on September 14, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

2. Chip Kelly, UCLA

For the sake of sounding in defense of coaches from the state of California, Chip Kelly’s hot seat is not all his fault.

First, the UCLA Bruins need a home stadium. The Rose Bowl has tradition, but no one thinks UCLA football when they think of the Rose Bowl. You think of the “Granddaddy of Them All” when you think of the stadium in Pasadena. They play in front of a half-empty stadium in Pasadena. Their lack of an on-campus stadium does not give them a steady revenue stream from football like other programs with home stadiums. This has contributed to the schools’ debt. A significant part of that debt is the university’s investment in the football program; that also included hiring Kelly and paying his salary and paying Jim Mora’s buyout.

Because of this investment, Kelly needs to improve on his 7-17 record so far in Los Angeles. There is a reason for optimism for year three, however. They were 4-5 in Pac-12 play last season including a win against Arizona State.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson is poised to take another step forward at quarterback, and the defense should be improved. Kelly might not be coaching for his job this season, but another year without a bowl appearance and he’ll be coaching for his job soon enough.

Home/College Football News