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College football hot seat: 10 coaches trying to save their jobs in 2021

By Rob Wolkenbrod

Nov 29, 2019; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Scott Frost watches during the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2019; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Scott Frost watches during the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 29, 2019; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Scott Frost watches during the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2019; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Scott Frost watches during the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Clay Helton, USC

The more “flashier” of the hot seat candidates, Clay Helton has been on the precipice of the employment line since he took the USC job. He owns just one bowl win, with a 5-7 letdown in 2018 and a so-so 8-5 season in 2019. Finishing 5-1 in 2020 was good, but Helton needs a Pac-12 division title to find some job security. Winning the conference would provide reassurance, but a few bad games could put him out of a job by midseason.

2. Justin Fuente, Virginia Tech

Another ex-Memphis coach not succeeding at a Power 5 institution, Justin Fuente’s seat is among the hottest in college football. A 19-8 run in his first two seasons was a great start, but 6-7, 8-5, and 5-6 in the ensuing campaigns just won’t cut it.

Having an athletic director hold a press conference to announce that Fuente won’t be fired inspires no confidence. It mounted an incredible amount of pressure on the 2021 season to be a success. Opening against UNC is a negative on reducing the heat. Facing Notre Dame in October is not ideal, either. There are cupcake games against Syracuse, Middle Tennessee, Richmond and Duke on the schedule, but finding at least 4-5 more wins might be hard for Fuente.

Yet, if the Hokies top the Tar Heels, it would be a gamechanger.

1. Scott Frost, Nebraska

Scott Frost once coached the darlings of college football at UCF. His teams thought they deserved National Championship recognition and at least had a darkhorse case for the College Football Playoff. Inevitably, a Power 5 school, Nebraska, came calling to have him revive their program.

Unfortunately for Frost, life comes at you fast.

A new athletic director is in, so the 46-year-old head coach might be out at any point when the search for a new man in charge is deemed ready. A combined 12-20 record doesn’t help Frost, either, and 2021 probably won’t be too kind. Thus, the hot seat is a burning rage of a thousand suns.

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