<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1mowAC_0wFU8r4m00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1mowAC_0wFU8r4m00" width="1210" height="806" ></figure>It’s been awhile since I last issued a hot seats article and things are getting interesting across the Big Ten landscape. Not at the top of the rankings - that’s firmly in Ryan Walters possession unless you want to swap his ranking with his defensive coordinator - but the rest of the top 5 is starting to see fierce competition as Big Ten coordinators and head coaches try to stake their claim for not returning in 2025.This week will be the final week devoting the introduction to Ryan Walters and the failure of the Purdue coaching staff in 2024, but there are some depressing stats and anecdotes to share regarding the Boilermakers football program. Let’s hit the lowlights:<ul><li>Purdue was shutout at Ross-Ade for first time since 2013. Never good when you are doing things for the first time since Darrell Hazell was head coach.</li><li>In overtime against Illinois, Purdue attempted to go for 2 points and the win rather than tie the game with an extra point. That’s a defensible decision even if I wouldn’t have made it since extending the game puts more pressure on the favored team. However, for a head coach to take the riskier route there and then decide to attempt a field goal down 21 points to Oregon is asinine. By attempting a field goal against Oregon (which was missed by the way), Walters was trying to make the loss look better at the end of the game rather than attempting to win the game. That’s an act of extreme cowardice and completely incompatible with the Illinois overtime game decision.</li><li>Purdue football brands themselves as the Cradle of Quarterbacks and its why even when things get bad bad that their QB play is usually entertaining. Purdue had NINE first half passing yards against Illinois. In the first quarter against Oregon, they attempted one pass. Purdue’s run game might be better than their pass game, but you have to take some chances against better teams and that requires throwing the football.</li><li>Purdue has been outscored 45-7 in first quarter this season extending a disturbing trend of getting their asses kicked in the first quarter from the 2023 season. The lone touchdown this season came against FCS cellar dweller Indiana State.</li><li>Ryan Walters is a defensive coach and yet through the first half of the season their defense sits fairly alone in the bottom left hand corner of opponent adjusted defense rankings compiled by some guy named Bud Davis. I don’t know Bud Davis but the rest of the high major programs look to be in about the right places so I’m going to trust his rankings here.</li></ul><ul><li>Look at the crowd for a 1-5 team that has looked anything but competitive this season. I’m not a big proponent of saying fanbases deserve better (that’s how you end up with spoiled, entitled fanbases), but Purdue fans aren’t even asking for wins from their football program. Boilermakers just want to be entertained.</li></ul><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We’ve got a blackout at Ross-Ade Stadium <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/B1GFootball?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#B1GFootball</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/BoilerFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BoilerFootball</a><a href="https://t.co/AiVvpT65yL">pic.twitter.com/AiVvpT65yL</a>— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/B1Gfootball/status/1847430150423470415?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2024</a><input type="image" src="empty.gif" style="opacity:0" onerror="s=document.createElement(&quot;script&quot;);s.src=&quot;https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js&quot;;document.body.appendChild(s);"></blockquote><ul><li>When asked if there would be any changes in the bye week plan considering the 1-6 start, Walters responded “We’re going to stick to our process. I’m confused as to why we would change our process.” ... well, okay then.</li></ul>**DISCLAIMER*** BoilerUp89 does not wish unemployment upon anyone most people and asks that you remember these coaches are real people with a family. Watching the performance of some of these coaches is inappropriate for young children, degenerate gamblers, and fans with addiction problems. All viewers watch these games at their own risk.<img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1k5MVI_0wFU8r4m00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1k5MVI_0wFU8r4m00" width="824" height="603" ><h2>The Top 5</h2>1 Purdue Boilermakers HC Ryan Walters - previously 1st2nd seasonsalary: $4.05M/yearcontract: runs through 2027 seasonbuyout at end of season: 75% of remaining contract (~$9.59M)<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/PcTXXampSf">pic.twitter.com/PcTXXampSf</a>— BoilerMuse (@BoilerMuse) <a href="https://twitter.com/BoilerMuse/status/1847478444226945461?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2024</a><input type="image" src="empty.gif" style="opacity:0" onerror="s=document.createElement(&quot;script&quot;);s.src=&quot;https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js&quot;;document.body.appendChild(s);"></blockquote>Recruits are decommitting and program momentum has cratered. The fanbase is still showing up to games, but that’s probably only because they’ve already bought tickets and can’t give them away. Purdue’s athletic department has a choice. Go cheap and become the laughingstock of the Big Ten or rip the band-aid off and move forward. Any other Big Ten program would pay this buyout amount after this performance.Next up: Bye Week, Northwestern, @Ohio State2 Purdue Boilermakers DC Kevin Kane - previously 3rd2nd seasonsalary: $850k/yearcontract: runs through 2025 seasonbuyout at end of season: $850k<img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1CKlCG_0wFU8r4m00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1CKlCG_0wFU8r4m00" width="1920" height="1280" >The Boilermakers have given up 269 points this season through 7 games. Per game that’s 130th out of 134 FBS programs. It’s worse when you remember that Purdue shutout Indiana State in the opener. Opposing teams are able to score at will and nothing is a better prescription for a struggling offense than playing the Boilermakers right now. The only reason that Kane isn’t in the #1 spot on this list is that Purdue fans have rightfully placed blame for the program wide ineptitude on the man in charge: Ryan Walters. Still, there is an approximately 0% chance that Kane is back at Purdue as defensive coordinator next season so you could argue that Kane should be in the #1 spot.Next up: Bye Week, Northwestern, @Ohio State3 Michigan Wolverines OC Kirk Campbell - previously unranked1st seasonsalary: $950k/yearcontract: runs through 2026 seasonbuyout at end of season: $2.1M<img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3numTH_0wFU8r4m00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3numTH_0wFU8r4m00" width="960" height="1438" >Campbell is not only the offensive coordinator for a struggling offense, but also the quarterbacks coach. That makes Campbell the face of the 128 passing yards/game fiasco that the Wolverines have. The lack of a passing threat has allowed for opposing defenses to stack the box and impede Michigan’s talented run game.Campbell’s buyout at the end of the season (his 2025 and 2026 salary) is completely manageable for a Michigan program that is coming off a national championship. Wolverine boosters will want to stop the bleeding before Michigan slides too far down the totem pole in the post Harbaugh era and after waking up from their slumber the irrational portion of the Wolverines fanbase is out for blood. The 7 points scored against Illinois is the lowest offensive output since 2014. Things get tougher moving forward as Michigan faces the two of the top three Big Ten teams this season in their final five games - plus rivals Michigan State and Ohio State.Next up: Michigan State, Oregon, @Indiana4 UCLA Bruins DC Ikaika Malloe - previously unranked1st seasonsalary: $1M/yearcontract: runs through 2025 seasonbuyout at end of season: $1M<img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0JJCV7_0wFU8r4m00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0JJCV7_0wFU8r4m00" width="960" height="1440" >On the one hand, UCLA has played some good offenses and there is no shame in giving up a lot of points to Indiana, LSU, Oregon, or Penn State. On the other hand, UCLA is one of two Big Ten teams to give up over 200 points on the season so far. Even the injured and quarterbackless Rutgers scored 32 points against the Bruins. Malloe was promoted to DC by Chip Kelly in January before Kelly skipped town to become the Buckeyes OC. Considering the poor defensive play, the low cost to change DCs, and the fact that Malloe wasn’t hired by current UCLA head coach Deshaun Foster this job is far from secure.Next up: Bye week, @Nebraska, Iowa5 Rutgers Scarlet Knights OC Kirk Ciarrocca - previously unranked2nd seasonsalary: $1.4M/yearcontract: runs through 2026 seasonbuyout at end of season: $2.9M<img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4LokiO_0wFU8r4m00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4LokiO_0wFU8r4m00" width="1920" height="1280" >Rutgers is paying Ciarrocca a lot of money for what has been the Big Ten’s second worst offense (Purdue’s out here making everyone look better). Ciarrocca brought in QB Athan Kaliakmanis (presumably because he recruited him to Minnesota) and Kaliakmanis hasn’t looked good. Rutgers may have a lot of injuries affecting the roster but outside of their recent game against UCLA, the Scarlet Knights have had trouble putting points on the board and that’s preventing them from being competitive in a lot of games. Considering the high expectations Rutgers entered the season with, a coordinator may need to be sacrificed if Rutgers finishes with a 4 win season or worse like they appear to be headed towards. Ciarrocca is the logical candidate.Next up: @USC, Bye week, Minnesota<h2>Watchlist</h2><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4WEZtB_0wFU8r4m00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4WEZtB_0wFU8r4m00" width="960" height="1440" >UCLA Bruins OC Eric Bieniemy - Through week 7 of the college football season and week 6 of the NFL season, just two NFL/Division 1 CFB offenses had yet to reach the 20 point threshold. This past weekend that list shrank to just the Cleveland Browns as UCLA put up 35 points against a crippled Rutgers team. That’s not good enough to save Bieniemy’s job and he arguably should be in the top 5, but the 89 points in conference play that UCLA has put up is actually better on a per game basis than Purdue, Rutgers, or Northwestern so Bieniemy stays off the top 5 list while still very much being on the chopping block.Northwestern Wildcats OC Zach Lujan (previously 4th) - Lujan is a 1st year coordinator working without much talent, but the Wildcats recruiting isn’t likely to bring in a lot of talent to work with moving forward either. The good news is that Purdue’s defense lies in the near future and that should boost the Wildcats statistics.Maryland Terrapins DC Brian Williams - Maryland gave up 37 points to Northwestern’s offense and that’s all you need to know about the job Brian Williams is doing this season.UCLA Bruins HC Deshaun Foster - It’s fair to wonder whether Foster will meet the 3 game win threshold I set for him preseason even after UCLA defeated Rutgers 35-32 this past weekend. Being an extremely late hire in the coaching carousel, UCLA might decide to cut bait if Foster only puts up a 2-10 campaign. Especially with his relatively school friendly contract.USC Trojans DC D’Anton Lynn - USC finds themselves at the back of the Big Ten pack despite having an effective offense. That’s largely due to giving up points to otherwise struggling offenses. Michigan scored just 3 points less than their season high against the Trojans. and Minnesota did the same if you discount their FCS opponent Rhode Island. If USC doesn’t get things turned around in a hurry, someone is going to take the blame for their record and Lincoln Riley’s buyout means it probably isn’t going to be him. Trojan fans expect to have better than the 3rd worst defense in an 18 team conference.Rutgers Scarlet Knights HC Greg Schiano - Things are getting ugly in New Jersey as the Scarlet Knights granted UCLA their first Big Ten win. Rutgers is dealing with injuries and that probably gets Schiano a pass for this season but this was also the easiest Big Ten schedule any team will ever get in the 18 team format. No Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, or Indiana and home games against the top of the middle: Wisconsin, Illinois, and Washington. This is year 5 of Schiano’s 2nd tenure and with only one 6 win season on the resume during this stretch, a complete collapse wouldn’t be advisable even if he probably would survive it. Unfortunately for Rutgers fans, a complete collapse appears to be underway.USC Trojans HC Lincoln Riley - If USC didn’t owe Riley 9 figures he would undoubtedly be in the top 5 of the hot seat rankings despite a nice win over LSU and a close loss to undefeated Penn State. The Trojans are capable of winning against big name opponents, but they haven’t shown any consistency and are playing particularly awful on the road. Being the Big Ten’s poster child for why cross country travel is detrimental isn’t a selling point. The Ohio State Buckeyes HC Ryan Day - Day will come off the watchlist if he beats Michigan. Assuming that the Buckeyes also defeat Penn State and Indiana which looks increasingly more difficult. Buckeyes fans gonna be Buckeyes fans.<h2>Off the List (for now...)</h2><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2y26tH_0wFU8r4m00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2y26tH_0wFU8r4m00" width="960" height="1440" >Minnesota Gophers OC Greg Harbaugh Jr. (previously 5th)Minnesota Gophers DC Corey Hetherman (previously watchlist)Wisconsin Badgers OC Phil Longo (previously watchlist)<h2>Fired</h2><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0lKsjG_0wFU8r4m00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0lKsjG_0wFU8r4m00" width="1920" height="1123" >former Purdue Boilermakers OC Graham Harrell (post week 5)<h2>Safety Levels</h2><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1LsEOD_0wFU8r4m00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1LsEOD_0wFU8r4m00" width="1920" height="1280" >This section lists the win totals each head coach needs to reach to be safe for next season (barring off field issues). These reflect a coach’s tenure, season expectations, and contract. Note these are the win totals needed to be completed safe - most coaches would return with less wins than listed. First and second year head coaches have fairly low requirements.Coordinators can be let go regardless of a team’s record, so you won’t see them with a win requirement. Instead they will move to the safe category in the second half of the season when their unit has accomplished enough.Need 3 wins: Deshaun Foster (UCLA)Need 4 wins: Ryan Walters (Purdue)Need 5 wins: Mike Locksley (Maryland)Need 6 wins: PJ Fleck (Minnesota), Greg Schiano (Rutgers), Jedd Fisch (Washington), Luke Fickell (Wisconsin)Need 7 wins: Sherrone Moore (Michigan), Lincoln Riley (USC)Need 8 wins: Dan Lanning (Oregon), James Franklin (Penn State)Need 11 wins: Ryan Day (Ohio State)Currently safe for 2025:Indiana Hoosiers HC Curt Cignetti - week 3Michigan State HC Jonathan Smith - week 4Nebraska Cornhuskers HC Matt Rhule - week 5Indiana Hoosiers OC Mike Shanahan - week 6Northwestern Wildcats HC David Braun - week 7Iowa Hawkeyes HC Emperor Kirk Ferentz - week 7Illinois Fighting Illini HC Bret Bielema - week 8Indiana Hooisers DC Bryant Haines - week 8Who did I miss on? Which coaches are you angry about still having a job? Let us know in the comments.</div></body>

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Big Ten Football Coaching Hot Seats - 2024 Post Week 8

It’s been awhile since I last issued a hot seats article and things are getting interesting across the Big Ten landscape. Not at the top of the rankings - that’s firmly in Ryan Walters possession unless you want to swap his ranking with his defensive coordinator - but the rest of the top 5 is starting to see fierce competition as Big Ten coordinators and head coaches try to stake their claim for not returning in 2025.

Big Ten Football Coaching Hot Seats - 2024 Post Week 8

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