Which Coaches Are on the Hot Seat in College Basketball?

It’s February, which means it’s crunch time for coaches throughout the country in college hoops.

For some, it’s too late. For others, they are hoping to do enough to get another year. Then there are the coaches that have already saved their jobs — for now.


Current Openings

1) Texas | Chris Beard was fired in early January after a domestic family violence charge, and veteran Rodney Terry has gone 11-3 and has the Longhorns in first place in the Big 12. AD Chris Del Conte would, according to a source close to the situation, prefer to go with a sitting head coach, but if Terry can finish at or near the top of the Big 12 and also get to an Elite Eight, it would be tough not to hire him as Beard’s full-time replacement.

2) Notre Dame | Mike Brey announced he will be retiring after 23 seasons in South Bend. The Irish job should be able to attract a quality sitting coach. Potential names for this job include Porter Moser, Pat Kelsey, Chris Holtmann and Micah Shrewsberry.

3) Wofford | Jay McAuley was suspended and forced to resign after some players refused to continue to play for him. Assistant Dwight Perry has taken over on an interim basis and the team is 13-11 overall and 5-6 in league play.

4) Green Bay | Will Ryan was fired after a 2-19 start (he was 15-61 in his tenure). Assistant Freddie Owens has taken over on an interim basis.

5) Manhattan | Steve Masiello was fired just two weeks prior to the start of the season, and assistant RaShawn Stores took over on an interim basis. The Jaspers are 7-13 and 5-6 in league play.

6) North Carolina A&T | The school fired Will Jones late in the summer and made assistant Phillip Shumpert the interim head coach. Shumpert has led the Aggies to a respectable 11-14 record and a 6-6 CAA mark.


Might As Well Start Packing

Patrick Ewing, Georgetown
Record: 74-101 (6th season), 27-74 Big East, 1 NCAA Tournament appearance
Contract: N/A

Ewing finally won his first regular-season Big East game since March 13, 2021, snapping a 29-game league losing streak. The Hoyas were 0-19 in league play last season, and were winless until the victory over DePaul on Jan. 24. They are 6-17 and 1-11 in Big East play this season. Ewing will be gone after the season, and they will have a major rebuilding job on their hands.

Mark Fox, California
Record: 38-77 (4th season), 17-52 Pac-12
Contract: Signed a five-year contract in 2019 through 2023-24

Fox inherited a mess when he took over in 2019. The Bears were 16-47 in two seasons under previous coach Wyking Jones. Fox won 14 games his first season at the helm, but was 9-20 and 12-20 before this season — which has resulted in a 3-19 record. Fox’s days are likely done in Berkeley after the season, especially because the buyout is low (25 percent of his $1.8 million base salary).


Trending Out

Jerod Haase, Stanford
Record: 108-102 (7th season), 56-67 Pac-12
Contract: N/A

Haase replaced Johnny Dawkins in 2016 after four seasons at UAB. Dawkins lasted eight years in Palo Alto after going to just one NCAA tourney. Haase is headed to his seventh season without a tourney appearance, and the Cardinal have regressed and are a dismal 4-7 in Pac-12 play. There were high-ish hopes this season at Stanford with most of the team returning.

Kermit Davis, Ole Miss
Record: 73-74 (5th season), 31-50 SEC, 1 NCAA Tournament appearance
Contract: Signed a new four-year deal in 2021 through 2024-25

Davis got to the dance his first season, but it’s been mediocrity since 2019. Davis has won 15, 16 and 13 games each of the last three seasons, respectively, and the Rebels are just 9-13 this season and 1-8 in the SEC. A bottom-of-the-league finish won’t be enough for Davis to save his job.

Josh Pastner, Georgia Tech
Record: 102-110 (7th season), 48-75 ACC, 1 NCAA Tournament appearance
Contract: Signed a three-year extension in 2021 through 2025-26

Pastner led the Yellow Jackets to a surprising NCAA tourney appearance in 2021, but they immediately took a step back. The loss earlier this week to a Louisville team that hadn’t won an ACC game didn’t help matters. Pastner also welcomed in new athletic director J Batt this past October.

Fred Hoiberg, Nebraska
Record: 34-80 (4th season), 12-59 Big Ten
Contract: Restructured deal in 2022 that goes through 2026-27

The Cornhuskers are currently 13th in the Big Ten with a 3-9 mark after years of consistently struggling in the conference. Everyone likes Hoiberg, so that could get him another year, but the results just haven’t been there in four years. His buyout was restructured and will be $10 million after this season.

Mike Anderson, St. John’s
Record: 64-50 (4th season), 27-41 Big East
Contract: In 2021 signed a new six-year deal through 2027

Anderson was fired at the ideal job for him at Arkansas, so it’s not exactly shocking he hasn’t been able to get it done in Queens. The Johnnies are 4-8 in Big East play and likely to go 0-for-4 in his four seasons at the helm in terms of NCAA tourney appearances. Even Chris Mullin got the program to the First Four in his fourth season. If Anderson winds up getting one more year, it’ll be more of the same.

Rick Stansbury, Western Kentucky
Record: 134-84 (7th season), 73-43 C-USA
Contract: Signed a four-year extension in 2022 through 2026

The biggest issue for Stansbury isn’t accumulating talent; it’s getting the Hilltoppers to the NCAA tourney — where they’re accustomed to going. Gene Keady, Clem Haskins, Murray Arnold, Ralph Willard, Matt Kilcullen, Dennis Felton, Darrin Horn, Ken McDonald and Ray Harper all went. This could be it for Slick Rick.


Feeling Good in the ACC

Kevin Keatts, NC State
Record: 108-73 (6th season), 51-54 ACC, 1 NCAA Tournament appearance
Contract: Signed a new amended deal in 2021 through 2025-26

Keatts has bounced back from a miserable 4-16 ACC season a year ago, and the Pack are in the mix for an NCAA tourney bid with an 18-5 overall mark. I’d expect for Keatts to get another year from AD Boo Corrigan, especially since he’s finally out from under the NCAA investigation (involving the former staff) that he dealt with since taking the job in 2017. Keatts can also extend his current deal two more years, through 2028, based on the recent NCAA ruling.

Jeff Capel, Pittsburgh
Record: 67-76 (5th season), 30-56 ACC
Contract: Signed two-year extension in 2020 through 2026-27

Capel was in desperation mode after four consecutive sub-.500 seasons to start his career. But he flipped his roster via the portal, and the Panthers have taken a step forward this season. Pittsburgh is 16-7 overall and just a game out of first place in the ACC with a 9-3 record. Capel’s buyout was a factor after last season, but it drops significantly to around $5 million after this year.


Not Out of the Woods

Brad Brownell, Clemson
Record: 236-171 (13th season), 113-113 in ACC, 3 NCAA Tournament appearances
Contract: Signed two-year extension in 2021 through 2025-26

Brownell saved his job in 2018 with a Sweet 16 appearance, and may do it again this year. The Tigers are 18-5 and in first place in the ACC with a 10-2 record. But it may ultimately depend on whether Brownell, whose buyout is $2.4 million, gets to the NCAA tourney or not.


Ex-Dukies Who Are Safe… For Now

Chris Collins, Northwestern
Record: 148-157 (10th season), 62-118 Big Ten, 1 NCAA Tournament appearance
Contract: Signed an extension in 2017 through 2024-25

Collins lost Pete Nance and Ryan Young to the transfer portal this past offseason, has a fairly new AD and was thought to be on his way out after this year. However, the Wildcats have put themselves in the convo for an NCAA tourney berth with a 15-7 overall record (6-5 in the Big Ten). It may ultimately come down to whether Collins can take Northwestern dancing.

Bobby Hurley, Arizona State
Record: 134-107 (8th season), 67-72 Pac-12, 2 NCAA Tournament appearances
Contract: Signed a two-year extension through 2023-24

Hurley went to the NCAA tourney in 2018 and 2019, and was likely going in 2020 until it was canceled. The last two years have been rough but Hurley has the Sun Devils back in the mix at 16-7 overall and 7-5 in league play. It could well depend on how this team finishes.


Does Anyone Even Care?

Brian Gregory, South Florida
Record: 75-102 (6th season), 28-68 AAC
Contract: Signed a three-year extension through 2026

Believe it or not, after a 8-23 campaign and just three league wins in 2021-22, Gregory signed a three-year extension that will pay him $1.6 million through 2026, so he might get another year. Who knows with this administration. He’s 40 games under .500 in AAC play in 5-plus seasons.


New AD, High Expectations

Isaac Brown, Wichita State
Record: 42-30 (3rd season), 21-17 AAC, 1 NCAA Tournament appearance
Contract: Signed a five-year deal in 2021 through 2026

Brown took over on an interim basis after Gregg Marshall was fired just before the season in 2020 and quickly signed a five-year deal after a 13-4 start. The Shockers went to the First Four that season, but have been disappointing since with an underwhelming AAC record. That’s just not good enough for Wichita State fans, who watched the team go dancing for seven straight seasons.


Tough Shoes to Fill

Billy Lange, Saint Joseph’s
Record: 33-71 (4th season), 15-43 A-10
Contract: N/A

Lange was hired to replace Phil Martelli in 2019, and the results just haven’t been there for the former Villanova and NBA assistant. The Hawks have won just a total of 15 league games in Lange’s three-plus seasons at the helm.


One and Done?

Greg Heiar, New Mexico State
Record: 8-14 (1st season), 1-9 WAC
Contract: Signed a five-year deal through 2028

This was a baffling hire last offseason when AD Mario Moccia plucked Heiar from his head JUCO job. The Aggies have arguably the best job in the league but are 1-9 in league play — and that’s not even talking about the off-the-court issues that grabbed national headlines within the program. The school could cut ties after this season.


A Year Away — If They Are Lucky

Jerry Stackhouse, Vanderbilt
Record: 49-66 (4th season), 16-45 SEC
Contract: In 2022 signed an extension

Stack’s overall SEC record is a miserable 16-45, and he’s on track for a fourth consecutive year without an NCAA tourney appearance, yet the administration gave him an extension this past offseason. Bryce Drew went to the tourney in the first of his three seasons, and Kevin Stallings went seven times in his tenure. Stackhouse could get one more season, but it’ll almost certainly be more of the same.

Mark Adams, Texas Tech
Record: 39-20 (2nd season), 13-14 Big 12, 1 NCAA Tournament appearance
Contract: Signed a five-year deal through 2026-27 in 2022

This one looks baffling, but the expectations are high these days in Lubbock, and Adams, despite a Sweet 16 appearance in his first season after being elevated to head coach, is just 1-8 in Big 12 play this season. I’m told some of the big donors aren’t happy with Adams, either. Adams signed a five-year, $15.5 million deal after the Sweet 16 appearance, but Tech can raise the money to make a move if next year plays out like this season.

Mike Hopkins, Washington
Record: 98-86 (6th season), 50-57 Pac-12, 1 NCAA Tournament appearance
Contract: In 2019 signed a six-year extension through 2024-25

Hopkins started strong with an NCAA Tournament appearance in his second season, but he’s been unable to get it going since. This year, U-Dub is 13-11 and 5-8 in Pac-12 play, and a step back after last season’s 17-15 campaign may not be enough to save his job. The school would owe Hopkins about $6 million if he was terminated.

Aaron McKie, Temple
Record: 50-49 (4th season), 28-31 AAC
Contract: Signed a deal through 2024

The former Owls star and NBA player took over for Fran Dunphy in 2019 after spending a few years on staff, and has been mediocre thus far. Temple has, though, improved this season in AAC play and has a huge win at Houston on its resume. I’d expect McKie to get one more year to see if he can keep this sudden momentum.

Kenny Payne, Louisville
Record: 3-19 (1st season), 1-10 ACC
Contract: Signed six-year deal through 2027-28

Payne was hired prior to the season by his alma mater and it’s been a complete train wreck. Just three overall wins and one in league play. He’ll get one more chance, but he will have to show a significant improvement to get a third season with the Cardinals. Payne’s deal is six years and pays him $3.3 million per season.

Wayne Tinkle, Oregon State
Record: 125-151 (9th season), 56-104 Pac-12, 2 NCAA Tournament appearances
Contract: Signed a new deal in 2021 through 2027

Tinkle got a lucrative extension after the Elite Eight appearance in 2021. The following year, the Beavers went 3-28 overall and are 9-14 overall this season. He’ll likely get next year to turn it back around, or else he’ll be replaced in Corvallis.

Johnny Dawkins, UCF
Record: 125-80 (7th season), 61-56 AAC, 1 NCAA Tournament appearance
Contract: Signed an extension in 2019 through 2025

Dawkins went to the NCAA tourney in his third season with the Knights, but that’s been it — and UCF is 28-35 in league play since the 2019 tourney appearance. He also only has two years left on his deal.

Lorenzo Romar, Pepperdine
Record: 61-88 (5th season), 22-49 WCC
Contract: N/A

This is Romar’s second stint in Malibu, and the first three years were solid with 47 total wins. However, the last two seasons have been brutal with just one win in league play with no shortage of talent.

Justin Hutson, Fresno State
Record: 76-67 (5th season), 40-43 MWC
Contract: N/A

Hutson has had a couple of 23-win seasons, but he’s also had an 11-19 campaign, and the Bulldogs are just 7-14 overall this season.


A Year Away From a Year Away

Buzz Williams, Texas A&M
Record: 66-44 (4th season), 28-27 SEC
Contract: 2019 signed a six-year deal

Most figured this was the perfect spot for Williams, but he hasn’t gotten it done in College Station. He’s 0-for-3 thus far, and he may not get the Aggies into the NCAA tourney in his fourth season at the helm. Remember, Billy Kennedy was run out after going to a pair of Sweet 16’s across eight years. Williams will make more than $4 million next season.


Mid-Majors in Trouble

Mike Balado, Arkansas State | The Red Wolves are 1-10 in league play this season, and Balado has a new AD.
Record: 78-95 (6th season)

Steve Henson, UTSA | Henson’s record in league play over his first five years was 46-42. The last two it’s been 4-27.
Record: 96-118 (7th season)

G.G. Smith, High Point | It’s only his second season after taking over for his dad, but High Point is 2-9 in league play.
Record: 13-16 (2nd season)

Reggie Witherspoon, Canisius | His record in league play over his first three seasons was 36-20, but now the Golden Griffins sit toward the bottom of the MAAC.
Record: 89-107 (7th season)

Matt Lottich, Valparaiso | Valpo is 10-14 this season and 4-9 in Missouri Valley play. Since the move to the Valley, Lottich is 39-64 in league play.
Record: 107-110 (7th season)


Retirement Possibilities

1) Jim Boeheim, Syracuse
Age: 78

2) Leonard Hamilton, Florida State
Age: 74

3) Bob Huggins, West Virginia
Age: 69

4) Cliff Ellis, Coastal Carolina
Age: 77

5) Jeff Jones, ODU
Age: 62