Will Hall, Kenni Burns, and More: Five G5 Coaches on the Hot Seat

By Mike Huesmann

Lost in the Billy Napier and Dave Aranda shuffle are some G5 coaches who are facing the pitchforks. Understandably, we don’t hear or write about the G5 coaching carousel as frequently. These programs don’t face the media or online scrutiny. But at the end of the day there are many similarities. They are expected to win, they are coaches making a lot of money, and the fans are just as rabid. With that, here are my top five G5 coaches' hot seat. We are counting down today so #1 is the hottest.

5. Trent Dilfer, UAB

Record at current school: 5-12. 2024 record: 1-4

Years with school: 2

I have said before, and will say later in this article, that I hate firing a coach before year three, but it might happen in this case. Dilfer had inadequate experience for this job and year two has not been kind. The Blazers have one win, against a poor FCS team in Alcorn State. They’re not playing well offensively or defensively. There are few redeemable qualities of this team.

If UAB get to four wins, which would match last year's total, I think he’s safe but that probably won’t happen. Seeing Bryant Vincent, the former Blazer coach at 4-1 having the success he is, Dilfer's hire looks even worse .

4. Mike Neu, Ball State

Record at current school: 38-60. 2024 record: 1-4

Year with school: 9

Hometown boy, alumnus, and long leash. All words to describe Mike Neu at Ball State. But if they have a losing record in 2024, that will befour  losing seasons in a row. I don’t know if he survives that. He has had only one winning season in eight years, and that was the 2020 COVID season. Even really long leashes get pulled tight at some point.

Ball State won the season opener against an FCS team, but have not won since. This weekend might be their best chance at a conference win as they travel to Kent State, who we’ll check in on next.

3. Kenni Burns, Kent State

Record at current school: 1-16. 2024 record: 0-5

Year with school: 2

The aforementioned Kent State team. Again, I hate firing a coach before year 3. It’s unfair, doesn’t give you time to recruit for your system, and doesn’t allow you to fix the problems of the previous regime. There were many of those problems in this case. But with NIL and the portal, we are increasingly impatient with coaches.

Burns deserves a year three, or so I would have said in August. I didn't expect things would be this bad. Another 1- or 2-win season and he may not get it. A loss to a lower-level FCS team in St. Francis was a big blow. This team may not win a game this season, this weekend at home against Ball State might be the best chance.

2. Stan Drayton, Temple

Record at current school: 7-20. 2024 record: 1-5

Year with school: 3

Drayton has a pair of three-win seasons under his belt at Temple. He has an impressive resume and is an elite RB coach, but that has not translated to improvements for Temple. I don’t think the bar is too high here. I said preseason if the Owls can get 6 wins and a bowl game he’s probably safe, that looks almost impossible now.

Drayton's almost certain to be out of a job at the end of the season. A catastrophic ending against UConn really made this seat hot, if it wasn't before.

1. Will Hall, Southern Miss

Record at current school: 14-25. 2024 record: 1-4

Year with school: 4

Hall has not been able to find a consistent QB in his time in Hattiesburg. In two of his three seasons, Hall has won only three games. That isn’t good enough, even in the widening gap between G5 and P4. I thought he would be let go after 2023, he clearly was not.

A shutout loss at Kentucky, an FCS win, and three double-digit G5 losses haven’t looked good. I’d be very surprised if he’s the coach here come December 1st.