Blog Article
Dilfer Moves to the Top of the Hot Seat Rankings. Neal Brown moves to #9.
The college football season is in full swing, and with it comes the inevitable scrutiny of coaches on the hot seat. This week, we’re closely monitoring two coaches: Trent Dilfer at UAB and Neal Brown at West Virginia. Dilfer’s Blazers are off to a dismal 1-6 start, and there’s growing discontent among fans and boosters alike. Brown, meanwhile, is facing pressure to turn things around at West Virginia, where he has yet to achieve a winning record in Big 12 play. We’re also watching Mark Stoops at Kentucky, who is facing a make-or-break season with the Wildcats.
Trent Dilfer: UAB Football and the Abyss
Let’s talk about UAB football. It’s a dumpster fire. It’s a train wreck. It’s a slow, agonizing descent into the abyss. And at the helm, steering this program into oblivion, is Trent Dilfer.
Remember those halcyon days under Bill Clark? Six straight winning seasons. Two conference championships. Three straight division titles. A brand new stadium. That’s the UAB many of these players signed up for. Instead, they got Dilfer.
Now, the boosters are whispering. They say AD Mark Ingram and the Alabama Board of Trustees are trying to kill this program. Again. And honestly, it wouldn’t surprise me with Dilfer at the helm.
The Blazers are 1-6. They haven’t beaten an FBS opponent this year. They got trounced by Army. They got annihilated by Tulane. Dilfer inherited an ascending program, and has managed to crater it in less than two years.
This isn’t about a few tough losses. This is about a complete and utter collapse. The defense is a sieve. The offense is anemic. The team has no fight, no spirit, no hope. They’ve been outscored 156-48 in conference play. They haven’t scored a touchdown in the first half of an AAC game. This team is competitive for precisely zero seconds against any real opponent.
And Dilfer? He’s busy insulting his program. “It’s not like this is freakin’ Alabama,” he quipped. No, Trent, it’s worse. At least Alabama fans have the dignity to expect better. UAB fans are getting fed a steady diet of excuses and empty promises.
Dilfer can talk about turning things around. He can talk about building a winning program. But the reality is, he’s lost the team, he’s lost the fans, and he’s lost the boosters. He’s lost everything except his $1.3 million salary.
The UAB Blazers are a mess. Trent Dilfer made it. It’s time for Mark Ingram to make this right.
Neal Brown: Feeling the Heat in West Virginia
Neal Brown, the head football coach at West Virginia University, has officially joined the hot seat rankings at #9. While his current record of 34-33 over six seasons may not seem disastrous at first glance, a deeper dive reveals a lack of progress. With zero wins against ranked opponents and no appearances in the AP Top 25 throughout his tenure, the Mountaineers are yearning for a taste of success.
Adding fuel to the fire, a dedicated group of West Virginia fans has launched a website and campaign dubbed “Fire Neal Brown.” Their mission is clear: to see Brown removed from his position. Although their initial plan to fly a banner over the WVU football game against Kansas State was thwarted, their message resonated.
Despite the mounting pressure and growing discontent, a mid-season firing seems unlikely. The financial burden of a buyout, the potential for player exodus through the transfer portal, and the lingering (albeit slim) possibility of a Big 12 championship appearance make immediate action impractical. However, Brown’s days in Morgantown could be numbered if the Mountaineers’ performance doesn’t drastically improve.
What are your thoughts? Who should be higher or lower on the list? Comment here.
See our full list of all 134 FBS coaches here.
