Coaching Carousel 2017: Who Should Replace Coaches on Hot Seats?

Butch Jones, Tennessee

This past week, we saw our first domino of the 2017 coaching carousel fall, as UTEP head coach Sean Kugler stepped down following the team's 0-5 start (he will be replaced by interim Mike Price). The move by Kugler likely won't have a major impact on the college football landscape, but there are a number of other head coaches across the nation that could also soon be unemployed that certainly will. Where should athletic directors and fans turn in situations where there team isn't performing? Here's a look at some coaches who could soon be gone, and some of their possible replacements:

Butch Jones, Tennessee
Current Record: 33-23
Why He's On the Hot Seat: Jones excited the fans on Rocky Top with a 7-6 2014 and 9-4 2015 in which Tennessee dominated their respective bowl games. Jones also raised the talent level in a big way in Knoxville, landing a number of Top 25 recruiting classes. However, the Volunteers have struggled to take the next step under Jones, going a disappointing 9-4 last season and limping to a 3-2 stretch so far in 2017. To make matters worse, Jones' tenure has been marked by consistent roster turnover and drama, and it seems like he has overstayed his welcome with the Vols.
Likely Replacement: Mike Norvell, Memphis HC
Norvell has done a wonderful job at Memphis after taking over for Justin Fuente, who ended up at Virginia Tech. Norvell is 11-6 with the Tigers, and has had them in the AAC Championship hunt (assuming they stay in the mix this year) both seasons. He recruits very well and knows the area, plus his innovative offensive mind would be greatly welcomed at Tennessee.
Other Names to Watch: Jim Bob Cooter (Detroit Lions OC), Tee Martin (USC OC), Chip Kelly (former Oregon HC, former NFL HC), Dan Mullen (Mississippi State HC)

Mike Riley, Nebraska
Current Record: 18-14
Why He's On the Hot Seat: Mike Riley was not a very popular hire in the first place in Lincoln, and Nebraska's performance over the past couple seasons was only made the doubters louder. Riley had a rough debut season of 6-7 (which included a number of tight losses), but did recover to finish off a respectable 9-4 in 2016. However, the 'Huskers have slipped to 3-3 to start this season, with an embarrassing loss to Northern Illinois to boot. For a fanbase that constantly has rabid expectations, Riley just doesn't seem like the man to turn the program back into the powerhouse they once were.
Likely Replacement: Scott Frost, UCF HC
As Riley and Nebraska struggles, Scott Frost is doing special things in Orlando, where he has UCF undefeated and ranked 25th. What is even more impressive about that is that the UCF team inherited prior to 2016 was coming off a winless '15 campaign. Frost, the former starting quarterback on the undefeated 1997 Nebraska team, would love to come back to Lincoln, and he would inject this program with an energy Riley never quite did.
Other Names to Watch: Jason Candle (Toledo HC), Craig Bohl (Wyoming HC), Rocky Long (San Diego State HC)

Matt Luke, Ole Miss (interim)
Current Record: 2-2
Why He's On the Hot Seat: When Hugh Freeze suddenly resigned amid allegations of multiple NCAA violations over the summer, OL coach Matt Luke was thrown into the head coaching job at Ole Miss. Luke has done an okay job given the circumstances (no time to prepare, lack of motivation for a team that is banned from the postseason) but unless he is unable to completely clean up the program, it is likely that he won't be brought back on a permanent basis.
Likely Replacement: Scott Satterfield, Appalachian State HC
Satterfield has done a masterful job taking over Appalachian State as they transition from FCS to FBS football. After a 7-5 mark in 2014, Satterfield and Appalachian State have won two straight Sun Belt titles, winning 21 games in '15 and '16 combined. They've struggled to a 2-2 record so far in 2017, but there is no denying how great of a job Satterfield has done in Boone, North Carolina. It would be a short trip across the Southeast to take over things at Oxford.
Other Names to Watch: Les Miles (former LSU HC), Blake Anderson (Arkansas State HC), Neal Brown (Troy HC), Willie Fritz (Tulane HC)

Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M
Current Record: 48-23
Why He's on the Hot Seat: Much like Butch Jones, Kevin Sumlin's tenure began very well, as his debut season, the Aggies went 11-2 and beat Alabama behind the play of Johnny Manziel. Since then, Texas A&M has managed over eight wins just one time, which just so happened to be Manziel's final season in College Station. Over that span, A&M has seen a number of late-season collapses, along with a ton of roster turnover. Considering how much money boosters and the University have put into the program, 8-5 seasons aren't going to get it done. Unless Sumlin can work some magic over the second half of the year, it could be his last stand at A&M.
Likely Replacement: Chad Morris, SMU HC
Morris first made a name for himself as the offensive coordinator at Clemson and since taking over at SMU, he has done a terrific job. His 11-19 record with the Mustangs doesn't jump out at you, but it is impressive considering the mess he took over when June Jones abruptly left the program, and SMU has shown progress each year he has been there. Morris' offensive expertise and ability to recruit would also make him an ideal fit in College Station.
Other Names to Watch: Mike Gundy (Oklahoma State HC), Chip Kelly (former Oregon HC, former NFL HC), Willie Fritz (Tulane HC)

Oregon State
Gary Andersen and Oregon State parted ways this week after two and a half years at the helm in Corvallis. Andersen had proven he could win out West before (he was highly successful at Utah State) but he faced a tough rebuild with the Beavers, and the fit just never seemed quite right. The Beavers will now be searching for a replacement that can keep them on pace in the ultra-competitive Pac-12 North.
Likely Replacement: Jonathan Smith, Washington OC
There is no obvious candidate to replace Andersen, but Oregon State likely will zero in on Jonathan Smith, who has worked wonders for Washington's offense. Smith is just 38, and has no head coaching experience, but he is well-respected on the West Coast and seems like an ideal fit. Smith is also a former record-setting QB at Oregon State, and returning to his alma mater seems to be in the cards.
Other Names to Watch: Mike Riley (Nebraska HC), Ken Niumatalolo (Navy HC), Jedd Fisch (UCLA OC)

Coaches With Warming Seats
Bret Bielema, Arkansas
Steve Adazzio, Boston College
Jim Mora, UCLA
Ed Orgeron, LSU
Barry Odom, Missouri
Rich Rodriguez, Arizona