Former Boise State and Colorado coach Dan Hawkins cringed Tuesday while we were doing "The Experts" show at ESPNU. Hawkins declined to participate in the sliver of the show we dedicated to coaches on the hot seat. Having been in that position, he isn't exactly fond of it.
It's sensitive; we understand. But when coaches are making millions -- even if everyone doesn't have the same resources and recruiting bases -- it's natural for fans, media members and, most importantly, athletic directors to eventually question performance.
Hey, I'd sign up for a job, no matter how difficult, if I knew getting canned would still net me $7.5 million. Wouldn't you? A head coaching job at an FBS program is a tremendous opportunity, but heavy scrutiny, expectations and consequences come with it.
On Sunday, Idaho's Robb Akey became the first coach to lose his job this season. Will others follow? We'll mix sports metaphors a bit and assign a "Going," "(Really) Going" or "Gone" rating to each coach in danger as the stretch run begins.
Going
These coaches are not in imminent danger, but should watch their step and make some statements -- on and off the field -- about the direction of their respective programs.
To read Travis Haney's full blog ranking hot-seat coaches, you must be an ESPN Insider.
Travis Haney
ESPN Insider• Joined ESPN as Insider's national college football writer in April 2012
• Previously wrote for The Oklahoman and The Post and Courier
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Travis HaneyTravis Haney joined ESPN in April 2012 as Insider's national college football writer. He previously covered the University of Oklahoma Sooners for The (Oklahoma City) Oklahoman for one season, and the University of South Carolina Gamecocks for The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier for four. Additionally, Haney has contributed since 2003 to ESPN publications and projects, including ESPN The Magazine.
A native of Cleveland, Tenn., Haney's initial introduction to a college football cathedral was Neyland Stadium. He later graduated from the University of Tennessee, in 2003, and has spent time covering the Volunteers, the University of Georgia, Clemson University, and other schools. Safe to say, football, and football in the South, was injected into his bloodstream at a young age.
Haney is the author of three books -- Gamecock Glory and Gamecock Encore, which chronicled the South Carolina baseball team's run to the 2010 and 2011 national championships, and State of Disunion, a historical look at the Clemson-South Carolina football rivalry that he co-wrote with Larry Williams.
Haney resides in Charlotte, N.C. You can follow him on Twitter here.
