OPINION

By Matt Hayes

updated 6:23 p.m. ET Nov. 7, 2008

Matt Hayes

At this point, we shouldn't be shocked by anything in the coaching industry.

Last month, when Clemson fired Tommy Bowden, an agent told me the quick hook could spiral into one program following the next. In other words, if big-money boosters see it can be done, the pressure on university presidents and athletic directors significantly increases.

Kansas State's Ron Prince followed Bowden and Phil Fulmer as surprising resignations (see: forced firings) this fall. There are almost certainly others out there we're not seeing.

Among the possibilities:

Jim Leavitt, South Florida: The guy who could've had most any job he wanted a few years ago — Alabama came after him during two different coaching searches — is now facing some tough times in Tampa.

Last year's meltdown from the No. 2 ranking — three straight Big East losses — concluded with an embarrassing 35-point loss to Oregon (using a third-team quarterback) in the Sun Bowl. This fall, the Bulls started 5-0 but have lost three of their last four.

The last two seasons, what looked like a certain Big East championship turned into a trip to a meaningless bowl game. Is it crazy to think USF would fire the guy who built the program in such a short time? Of course it is.

It's also crazy to think Tennessee would fire a coach with nine 10-win seasons in 15 years.

Steve Kragthorpe, Louisville: I understand Krags dealt with some serious personality clashes among personnel when he arrived at Louisville. But the reality is, he was handed an Orange Bowl champion with 19 returning starters last season. He has gone 11-9 with two losses to one of the five worst teams in college football (Syracuse).

No matter what you think of Bobby Petrino's vagabond ways, there's no way he'd be 11-9 over the same stretch of games. Check out the rest of the schedule: at Pitt, Cincinnati, West Virginia, at Rutgers. The Cardinals will be underdogs in every game.

Al Groh, Virginia: Though many believe this season has been Groh's best coaching job in Charlottesville — and I'm part of that faction — the last three weeks of the season will decide his fate. The schedule: at Wake Forest (desperate for a win to salvage a souring season), Clemson (playing well under Dabo Swinney), at Virginia Tech (Groh is 1-6 vs. rival Hokies).

Who knows what you're getting from the Cavs week to week? UVA could easily win out, and Groh would get votes for coach of the year in the ACC. Or they could lose out, and Groh would get fired.

Top five on the hot seat:

1. Tommy Tuberville, Auburn: Only wins over Georgia and Alabama can save Tubs now.

2. Kirk Ferentz, Iowa: Beat Penn State, and lock in another year. Lose, and things get dicey with another 6-6 finish looming — and a 2-7 record vs. ranked teams since the 2005 season.

3. Joe Glenn, Wyoming: Cowboy Joe is out of a job the Monday after the season ends.

4. Chuck Long, San Diego State: Forget about the vote of confidence; this team is unprepared and unmotivated every week.

5. Mike Sanford, UNLV: Another in a line of elite coordinators that, for one reason or another, have struggled with the transition to head coach.

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