Willie Taggart is sitting on the hot seat after Florida State collapses in the second half vs. Boise State to suffer a brutal loss. How can he save his job?
College football kicked off the 2019 season with a bang as some entertaining games and narratives highlighted the first week of the season. It also provided a clear indication of the coaches that are going to find themselves on the hot seat and those that are already on there.
These coaches found themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard for the most part. For others, one win simply isn’t going to save their job and a successful season with a strong finish is going to be a must.
When it comes to deciphering which coach probably is feeling the heat the worst after the first week of the season, it’s time to head to Tallahassee.
Willie Taggart – Florida State
With Hurricane Dorian forcing Florida State’s non-conference game against Boise State to Tallahassee from Jacksonville, the Seminoles had even less reason to lose the game.
To make matters even worse, Florida State jumped out to a 31-13 lead. From there, Florida State collapsed and Willie Taggart, who already entered the season on uneven ground, witnessed a collapse that has put him in a bad spot in just his second season with the program.
After a disappointing first season, Taggart can’t see his program return the same results this year or they’ll scrounge up whatever cash is necessary to pay his buyout.
That’s what makes the impact of the Seminoles’ loss even worse for Taggart. Not only did they lose, but they dropped a game they had in hand on their own field. Blowing an 18-point lead at home, albeit to a good program in Boise, at Florida State of all places should be considered unacceptable.
In the post-Jimbo Fisher era, it’s fair to wonder if FSU is having buyer’s remorse right now. Taggart’s team has to show drastic improvement fast. This week, the Seminoles host UL-Monroe. A win here won’t change any opinions but it’s a must. Losing this game at home will turn the hot seat to full heat.
Clay Helton – USC
Bad luck struck Clay Helton in Week One. He lost his starting quarterback JT Daniels for the season to a torn ACL and meniscus. This was a season where Helton needed big results. Now, he’s going to a true freshman at quarterback in Kedon Slovis. USC defeated Fresno State in Week One, but losing Daniels is going to make it tough sledding the rest of the way. The Trojans have a big home game against Stanford this week who may be starting a backup of their own in Davis Mills.
Jeremy Pruitt – Tennessee
If Jeremy Pruitt didn’t enter the season feeling heat in Knoxville, suffering one of the worst losses in college football history will certainly help. Tennessee’s loss to Georgia State was one of the big shockers of the opening week and now Tennessee has to wonder where this program is going. Pruitt’s early in his tenure, but like Taggart at FSU, bad losses can sway opinions fast. Tennessee hosts BYU Saturday.
Lovie Smith – Illinois
Illinois took care of business opening week against Akron. Lovie Smith’s squad got a win they absolutely have to get. This week is another one of those games. The program will take on UConn. The Huskies barely survived Wagner. Illinois gets a blowout win here and Smith probably won’t feel as much heat with a couple wins to begin the season.
Charlie Strong – USF
USF had a tall task hosting Wisconsin the opening week of the season. Nonetheless, losing 49-0 was not a good look for Strong. The Bulls visit Georgia Tech Saturday. Strong doesn’t need an 0-2 start weighing him down to begin the year. Dating back to last year when USF lost their last six games to close the year, Strong desperately needs a win or he might not make it to October.