AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2006 > August > 28
Monday, August 28, 2006
Pressure to win intensifies
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Here are five coaches who really need to win their openers in order to calm down parts of their fan bases. Some are already on the “hot seat.” Others could soon coach their way on to the hot seat. The first game, more than anything, is about establishing a quality of life for the season. These guys could certainly use an upgrade.
1) Phillip Fulmer, Tennessee (vs. California): I’ll say this one more time. Despite what so many on the blogosphere proclaim, Fulmer, who has won 77.6 percent of his games (that’s No. 1 among active coaches), is not on the “hot seat.” Now if he goes 6-6, this time next year he WILL be on the hot seat. But I will say this: If the Vols lose to the Golden Bears, ranked No. 9 in the preseason, the two weeks leading up the Sept. 16 game with Florida are not going to be a whole lot of fun. Fulmer needs to show his fans a sign that last season (5-6) is officially over.
2) Dennis Franchione, Texas A&M (vs. The Citadel). Coach Fran was hired to close the gap between the Aggies and Texas/Oklahoma. He is being paid $2 million per year and right now A&M is 0-6 against the Big Two in the Big 12 South. Obviously Texas A&M will win against The Citadel but the Aggies need to look good doing it. They don’t have a tough game until Texas Tech on Sept. 30.
3) Larry Coker, Miami (vs. Florida State on Monday). Coker is sticking to his guns after suspending four key players for the Florida State game. He booted wide receiver Ryan Moore off the team indefinitely. After last December’s embarrassment to LSU in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Coker needs to convince his fans that the program isn’t in a gradual decline. A win over the Seminoles cures all ills.
4) Chuck Amato, N.C. State (vs. Appalachian State). Normally, an ACC team against a I-AA team is a walkover. But Appalachian State, the defending national I-AA champion, is a good team that is very well coached. The Wolfpack has finished 3-5 in the ACC the past two seasons and are looking for the program to take a step up. Struggling against the Mountaineers would be a step back.
5) Rich Brooks, Kentucky (at Louisville, Sunday). Brooks has won only four SEC games (two vs. Mississippi State and two vs. Vanderbilt) in three seasons at Kentucky. This will be his best team since he arrived in Lexington. He doesn’t have to beat Louisville, ranked in the Top 15. But the Wildcats have to compete or the questions about his future will start next Monday morning.
