We always want to talk about coaches on the hotseat, so let’s go over all eighteen coaches in the Big Ten and where they sit. Right, wrong or otherwise, this is the ‘Cob’s’ take.
Two coaches whose contracts are Fahrenheit 451 because of how hot their seats are, Mike Locksley-Maryland and Luke Fickell-Wisconsin. Locksley doesn’t make it through the season so Maryland can get an early jump on their next coach. The ‘Grim Reaper’ just took the AD job in Wisconsin. Can you say Eck? We all know it, and so does Fickell
Two coaches whose seats are set on low, and they are just stewing in their own juices, Barry Odom-Purdue and Greg Shiano-Rutgers. Schiano doesn’t notice, whatever heat he feels has always been there.
Two coaches who are looking around and trying to figure out exactly what they are sitting on, Matt Rhule-Nebraska and Lincoln Riley-USC. Is that a hot plate or an electric chair?
Three coaches who are sad about Locksley and Fickell and giggling about Rhule and Riley, Curt Cignetti-Indiana, Dan Lanning-Oregon, and Ryan Day-Ohio State. They’re sad because if those guys are fired, they might hire someone who is a real threat. They’re giggling because everybody is being compared to them. But Day’s giggle sounds nervous. It wasn’t that long ago he was Rhule and Riley.
Two coaches ignoring it all because they have their own hotseats they are trying to prevent from being turned on. David Braun-Northwestern, Jedd Fisch-Washington. Despite being called the worst coach in the Big Ten, Braun has exceeded expectations, but when does the bottom fall out because it’s Northwestern. Does Fisch ever unpack the U-Haul?
Four coaches who can take their folding chairs and move on whenever they are ready, whether it’s to their next gig or into the sunset. Kirk Ferentz-Iowa, Kyle Whittingham-Michigan, P.J. Fleck-Minnesota, and Brett Bielema-Illinois.
Three coaches who have yet to sit down and are still playing musical chairs. Pat Fitzgearld-Michigan State, Matt Campbell-Penn State, and Bob Chesney-UCLA. Campbell and Chesney seem cool and collected. Fitzgearld looks like he’s having a seizure because he’ll be the first new coach fired.
How many of the eighteen coaches listed above will be around for the 2027 season? Some will be fired and others may be moving on to greener pastures. Whatever the case, the coaching carousel never stops turning. Case in point, there were 33 new coaches hired in the FBS during the last hiring cycle. Don’t like how your team looks? Got money to pay the buyout? Buy another lottery ticket and move on. But I guess that’s what keeps us coming back as fans, because we all want our school to hire the next Curt Cignetti and win like Indiana.
GO BIG RED!! SIMPLE, FAST, VIOLENT!!
Stay on top of Husker football at CarrikerChronicles.com