A Fickle Situation
When is it time to make a head-coaching change?
Do you give a coach the hook because of the wins and losses? John Bunting is the most recent example of this.
Is the program in a downward spiral on and/or off the field? Miami's Larry Coker is a possible candidate for this.
Do the players not like the coach in control of the program? Former Wake Forest player and coach John Mackovic was run out of the University of Arizona due to the players' dislike.
Is the fan base unhappy with way the team is being run? Or more to the point, try wrapping yourself around this one … A lot of coaching casualties are the result of the program expectations inside and outside of these institutions.
Here is a prime example. Frank Solich (handpicked by legendary coach Tom Osborne) won 58 games and lost 19 in six seasons at tradition-rich Nebraska … That's an average of 9-3 each year. His last season, the Huskers were 9-3 before he was let go prior to their bowl game … Bill Callahan takes over and promptly leads the team to a 5-6 record. Was that a step in the right direction? On the surface, you would say no, but in Coach Callahan's defense the jury is still out until his era is over …
The ACC is not immune to this … Just a couple years ago, Tiger fans were on Tommy Bowden's back at Clemson. Here we are past the halfway point of the football season, and Clemson is considered the top team in the ACC and one of the more surprising teams in the country. Good thing they didn't make change, huh?
N.C. State is in its second season of the chuck Chuck campaign. Fans were all but ready to show Coach Amato the door. Then comes the miracle versus Boston College and the beating of Florida State. Then all the sudden Coach Amato is back in good standing. Maybe …
Boosters in Tallahassee are mumbling that maybe Bobby Bowden should step aside. Sure the 'Noles have fallen some from what they were, but is that fair to ask of a legend and the all time leader in Division I wins? Here's a guy that has given 30+ years of service to a university that no coach wanted any part of before he got there. He put Florida State on the map, two national titles and 12 ACC crowns. But still …
It's understandable that teams have up and down seasons. No team can avoid this. The coaching profession is a fickle situation and with a fine line between love and hate, coaches need to have a good pair of earplugs and blinders…
