Undeniably, Greg Schiano is in first place.
By default. By necessity. By bluster, because his Rutgers athletic director, Keli Zinn, just said last week in an interview that what is happening with Rutgers football isn’t working.
Well? Do something.
It’s embarrassing. Commit to your program or go back to the Big East.
Also, Georgia Tech: What the hell is up with Brent Key?
Let’s dive in, because the carousel is spinning off head coaches and coordinators, with the latter probably going to be more active this cycle.
Here’s USA TODAY Sports’ Heat Check: Backside discomfort.
Greg Schiano, Rutgers
The aforementioned Zinn said the
quiet, or not-so-quiet, part out loud.
“If we are investing in your roster [at ninth in the Big Ten], you should perform” at 9th in the Big Ten.
Not 14th. On a good day.
Memo: There are no good days for Rutgers football.
In an era in which no Power Four program gives a damn about bowl eligibility, Rutgers isn’t even bowl eligible after its latest blowout loss.
Schiano has gone from stabilizing force to unmitigated disaster. That he’s lasted another day as Rutgers coach is a slap in the face to those who pay for the program.
Taxpayers.
A program, by the way, that is now 8-16 in its past 24 games.
Is that worth the average annual value of $6.75 million that Rutgers is paying Schiano? All the way through February 2030?
Personally, I’d cue up Nappy Roots and play “Awnaw.”
Brent Key, Georgia Tech
Former Georgia Tech coach Geoff Collins is basically subtweeting Brent Key on podcasts and videos, talking about how he will have peace when two additional people are gone from Georgia Tech.
It’s both amusing and petty. Here for it.
Also, credit Collins, a sharp defensive mind: He senses blood in the water and is attacking.
Key is leading a Yellow Jackets program in a Florida State-like free fall.
Yep, we said it.
Georgia Tech is 2-10 in its past dozen games against FBS opponents.
The program misses Buster Faulkner desperately, and Key is giving performative “pissed off” postgame speeches because the on-field product is abject trash.
“I am damn pissed off! Damn pissed off!” Key said after his Tech team was waylaid by Louisville.
Give solutions, not sound.
Lance Leipold, Kansas
In the generational discussion, Leipold is that dude who has molded athletes into citizens and leaders for decades. Almost always without the best resources, but always with the best intentions.
His time at Kansas, however, has expired.
Dead.
Cuckoo clock striking midnight.
To Leipold’s credit, Andy Kotelnicki is that dude.
Tim Albin, Charlotte
Much like Leipold, Albin previously has been that guy who can build a program.
But he’s not it anymore.
Charlotte is abysmal, 2-19 since the start of the 2025 season.
This is a disaster.
Will Healy was fired for less.
WARMING WATCH
No list exists without the deserved heat on Ryan Day’s Ohio State backside. He should be the most uncomfortable.
And no one is ignoring Lincoln Riley and USC.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: There's a clear No. 1 on hot seat, but another coach is surging
