The Coaches on the (Supposed) Hot Seat: Lincoln Riley and Ryan Day
The college football season hasn’t started, and the “hot seat” talk is already in full swing. Pundits and fans are sharpening their pitchforks, ready to skew any coach who doesn’t deliver immediate, flawless results. Lincoln Riley at USC and Ryan Day at Ohio State are two names that keep popping up. Let’s examine whether these coaches genuinely feel the heat or it’s just the usual preseason hype.

Lincoln Riley: The USC Savior or a Trojan Horse?
On the surface, it seems absurd to suggest Lincoln Riley is on the hot seat. He led USC to a Pac-12 Championship appearance and coached Caleb Williams to a Heisman Trophy in his first season. But the Trojans stumbled to an 8-5 record in 2023. While still potent with Williams at the helm, the defense was a sieve, and the offense couldn’t overcome the defensive woes. The sting of losses to Notre Dame and UCLA still lingers (how do you not have your team “hyped” to play your two biggest rivals?), and some question whether Riley is the right man for the job.

So, is Riley’s seat hot?
Not really. Let’s be honest; he inherited a program in shambles. Rebuilding takes time, and Riley has made significant progress. The move to the Big Ten is a new ballgame, and he deserves a chance to adapt. His track record speaks for itself – the man knows how to develop quarterbacks and attract top talent. USC’s administration didn’t shell out millions for a quick fix; they’re invested in Riley’s long-term vision.

But, there’s always a ‘but’…

• Winning cures all. Riley’s current winning percentage is .704, barely above the acceptable USC minimum of .691(calculated by Coaches Hot Seat.)
• USC isn’t just about winning; it’s about tradition. Riley needs to embrace the legacy of coaches like Jones, McKay, Robinson, and Carroll. They set the standard at USC.
• Recruiting matters. Southern California is a goldmine of talent. Riley must focus on locking down the local kids, not chasing pipe dreams nationwide.
• The Notre Dame rivalry is sacred. Riley’s talk of ditching it and being “more like Alabama” is blasphemy to Trojan fans. USC has its own unique identity, and Riley needs to respect that.
• • It’s the little things, too. Assigning jersey numbers with history, opening up to the media, and stop whining about the schedule. Act like you’re a $10 million coach at USC.

Ryan Day: The Buckeye Burden
Ryan Day’s resume at Ohio State is stellar: a 55-8 record and two Big Ten championships. But those three consecutive losses to Michigan? They’re a scarlet letter on his otherwise impressive tenure. The Buckeye faithful crave dominance, especially against their arch-nemesis. The pressure to beat Michigan and win a national championship is immense.

Is Day’s job in jeopardy?
Not yet. He’s consistently delivered success, and the team is primed for another strong season. The expanded College Football Playoff gives them more chances to contend for a title, even if they slip up against Michigan. Day’s track record and the program’s strength suggest he’s not on the hot seat…yet.

But the pressure is mounting…

• Losing to Michigan again would be catastrophic. It’s not just about the rivalry; it’s about maintaining the program’s aura of invincibility.
• Missing the playoffs, even with the expanded format, would be a major letdown after a hyped offseason.
• A blowout loss in a big game could raise questions about Day’s leadership and ability to make adjustments.
• Any signs of player discontent or locker room issues could snowball into a full-blown crisis.
• A significant decline in performance, with multiple losses and a lack of competitiveness, could seal Day’s fate.

The Bottom Line
Both Riley and Day are under the microscope. But for now, their seats are lukewarm at best. They have the talent, the resources, and the support to turn things around. The 2024 season will be a defining one for both coaches. Will they rise to the occasion, or will the hot seat rumors become a self-fulfilling prophecy? Only time will tell.