By Daniel Freer

Fantasy College Blitz

Every year, a number of college coaches find themselves in the perilous position of having “to win now”. They are on “The Hot Seat”.

No, it is a little different than you…in a moment of stupor….mistaking the barbecue grill for the folding chair.

A slightly different Hot Seat

College coaches endure a lot of pressure to win, win now, win always, win…win…win. Although most are well-compensated, it is still not an easy job.

However, their toil and suffering can be a positive for the fantasy player. Coaches in trouble will try to open up their offenses, or, improve their defenses severalfold. They deserve the fantasy attention, as well as the usual media scrutiny.

Which coaches are on The Hot Seat for 2009? Here are the top candidates (Coaches listed in no particular order):

CHARLIE WEIS - Notre Dame: Weis (photo, above, thanks ESPN) had two lackluster seasons in a row, and needs for his talented recruits to start producing. Weis may need a BCS Bowl invite to preserve his job. He has the players in QB Jimmy Clausen and WR Golden Tate, so look for continued improved offense. Also, with former OC Mike Haywood taking the head coaching job at Miami (Ohio), Weis named himself the OC…his first OC duties resulted in a huge Hawaii Bowl win with Clausen throwing 6 TDs. Weis needs more 6 TD passing games in 2009.

STEVE KRAGTHORPE - Louisville: I am surprised that Kragthorpe has struggled so much at Louisville….especially after he turned around a moribund Tulsa program a few years earlier. But Krags had an overall losing record at Louisville in his two seasons, and lost twice to Big East doormat Syracuse (ouch!). Although I looked like a genius last year for not recommending Cardinals QB Hunter Cantwell for your fantasy team, it is with some remorse to see one of the most prolific offenses struggle at times last season.

GEORGE O’LEARY - UCF: Fresh off a CUSA championship and a 10-win season in 2007, UCF struggled last season as O’Leary’s Knights went from one of the top offenses in America to the worst of 2008. Without star tailback (and 2007 Fantasy College Blitz Player of the Year) Kevin Smith, O’Leary’s UCF record stands at 4-19. A bigger problem for O’Leary will be the ongoing lawsuit involving Erick Plancher, who died during a 2008 off-season workout that O’Leary was actively involved in.

RICH RODRIGUEZ - Michigan: RichRod is in trouble…after going 3-9 in his first season. And, to add to the problems for Go Blue, a number of players have transferred out…including QB Steven Threet and RB Sam McGuffie. Rodriguez better hope his new enrollees pick up the spread offense in a hurry, or else he will be “former Michigan coach”. Another losing season will definitely not be tolerated in Ann Arbor.

MIKE SANFORD - UNLV: Granted, the overall talent has improved in Vegas since Sanford’s arrival, this could be a make-or-break year for Sanford….even though his contract was extended for three more seasons (however with a limited buy-out clause). Sanford’s Rebels were one game away from bowl-eligibility in 2008 when they choked badly in a season-ending loss against Mountain West doormat San Diego State, and that does not sit well with the UNLV faithful. Sanford has talent in WRs Phillip Payne and Ryan Wolfe…along with QBs Omar Clayton and Mike Clausen…which means anything short of a bowl game in 2009 (in a slightly weaker MWC) could be curtains for the Rebels head man.