October 24, 2007

Matt Hayes

Blame Urban Meyer. It's his fault as much as anyone's.

Used to be coaches could slide into new jobs, take a couple of years of transition and begin to turn things around a couple of years later. Then Meyer went out and won the national title at Florida in Year 2.

Now three years is the new four years. Translation: In this microwave, got-to-have-it world, coaches are on shorter, three-year leashes. Win now or walk. "It's a tough business," Meyer says. "People want to win now."

Three years ago, 23 coaches were replaced and the new guys began working in the all too obvious -- but never mentioned -- three-year window. Meyer won nine games in his first season before winning it all a year later -- and turned up the expectations (and heat) for everyone else in the class of 2005.

How intense is it for the others in the class?

Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis is feeling heat for following back-to-back BCS bowl appearances with an awful 2007 season. If you can't prove it in three years, when will you?

Breaking down the class of 2005:

ON TARGET:

Urban Meyer, Florida. The elite of the class: Meyer is 27-6, and his Gators won a national championship in Year 2.

Les Miles, LSU. No one in this group has won more games (29) than Miles. But he hasn't won a conference championship.

Steve Spurrier, South Carolina. He has a solid 21-12 record, and his Gamecocks are still in the SEC East race.

Charlie Weis, Notre Dame. Forget about the meltdown this season. The Irish are building for the long haul with Weis.

Others on target: Bronco Mendenhall, BYU; Dick Tomey, San Jose State; Frank Solich, Ohio.

ON THE RISE:

Ron Zook, Illinois. After two straight two-win years, his make-or-break season is shaping up nicely.

Bill Cubit, Western Michigan. He has a 13-7 MAC record, including a 3-1 mark against Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan.

Tyrone Willingham, Washington. His tenure hinges on the development of freshman quarterback Jake Locker.

Others on the rise: Skip Holtz, East Carolina; Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State; Shane Montgomery, Miami (Ohio); Kyle Whittingham, Utah.

ON THE HOT SEAT:

Ed Orgeron, Mississippi. Despite his success as a recruiter, his record in SEC play (3-18) ultimately will be the deciding factor.

Greg Robinson, Syracuse. He likely has to win Out -- South Florida and Cincinnati are still on the Schedule -- to save his job.

Dave Wannstedt, Pitt. A new athletic director plus no bowl bid could end Wanny's return to his alma mater.

Others on the hot seat: Hal Mumme, New Mexico State; Mike Sanford, UNLV; Mark Snyder, Marshall; Brent Guy, Utah State.

Note: Walt Harris (Stanford) was fired after the 2006 season. Terry Hoeppner (Indiana) died before the start of this season.

Matt Hayes is a staff writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at mhayes@sportingnews.com.