College football coaches are either on the hot seat or in the good graces of their fan base and program heading into every season. As kickoff arrives for the 2022 college football season, we’re about to see how the action this year impacts the job security of some prominent names across the country.
There certainly wasn’t a shortage of college football coaches fired this past season. Clay Helton, Butch Davis, Gary Patterson, Manny Diaz and Dan Mullen were among the most recognized figures to be pushed out the door. Keep in mind, this doesn’t even include Ed Orgeron retiring or those who left their programs for opportunities elsewhere.
Change is constant and the college football hot seat reflects that. For those that avoided the axe after the 2021 season, likely saving their jobs by overhauling the coaching staff, 2022 is the last life. If things don’t go well this season, the hammer will be dropped and some intriguing jobs will become available.
Let’s examine five college football coaches on the hot seat in 2022.
Bryan Harsin, Auburn Tigers
The Auburn Tigers hired Bryan Harsin before the 2021 season believing he could find success just as he did with Arkansas State and Boise State. Not only did Auburn finish with a disappointing season in Harsin’s first year on campus, he also found himself in the middle of controversy.
ESPN detailed multiple instances of Auburn’s coach alienating players and assistant coaches. The way he treated those around him reportedly led to Derek Mason taking a pay cut for the same position at Oklahoma State and Harsin also went through multiple offensive coordinators. Boosters also reportedly had a problem with Harsin not embracing the program’s traditions and the university conducted an investigation into him.
- Bryan Harsin buyout: $18.3 million
While Harsin kept his job, the heat is on in 2022. Auburn faces Penn State and LSU, two tough unranked opponents, along with top-25 matchups against Georgia, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Texas A&M and Alabama. While no one is expecting the Tigers to be a contender for the SEC title, losing six games this year along with more turmoil could provide Auburn with enough cause to push him out the door.
Herm Edwards, Arizona State Sun Devils
The Arizona State Sun Devils raised eyebrows after hiring Herm Edwards in December 2017. He lacked any college coaching experience and last served as an NFL head coach a decade prior. However, Arizona State wanted to bring in that professional experience with the hope Edwards would turn the program around. After posting a .590 winning percentage under Todd Graham, the Sun Devils aren’t any better (.581) under Edwards’ leadership.
A mediocre record is one thing, but the negative attention Edwards has brought upon this program is concerning. Arizona State is being investigated for NCAA recruiting violations, specifically hosting recruits during the non-contact period and Edwards was reportedly aware of it. A thinning roster with a schedule that includes Oklahoma State, Utah, USC, UCLA and some tough road trips, things could get ugly. Arizona is already hot, but Edwards’ seat is practically on fire.