Success is defined differently at each school. Seven wins and a bowl game at a Mid-American Conference school could mean a new job for a head coach. Seven wins at a major Big Ten school could mean a head coach gets fired. One thing is a constant though; schools want to win now. And if a head coach can't produce quickly, the school will fire him and move onto to the next one. Here are four Big Ten head coaches that could be fired after this season and what they can do to keep their jobs.
Darrell Hazell, Purdue
Hazell was hired from Kent State and has put together only four wins in two seasons. Winning at Purdue is not easy, but Hazell needs to get Purdue close to a bowl game this season. The Boilermakers' out-of-conference schedule won't help, but Hazell needs to at least match his career win total at Purdue. Four wins might not even be enough. The last regular season game is against Indiana, and the loser of that game might lose their job too.
Kevin Wilson, Indiana
Wilson and Indiana won just one Big Ten game last season and that can't happen again this season. The non-conference schedule is manageable, but playing in the Big Ten East makes things harder. Wilson has been at the helm for four seasons and if he doesn't get to a bowl game for the first time this year, he won't be getting a sixth season.
Kirk Ferentz, Iowa
Ferentz is one of the highest paid coaches in college football and the most tenured in the Big Ten. However, Iowa hasn't won a bowl game since 2010 and has a sub-.500 record in conference play since the Big Ten split into divisions. Winning at Iowa isn't easy and there might not be a better option than Ferentz for the Hawkeyes. If Iowa wins eight games, Ferentz should be safe, although he'll be in this same spot again next year. Going 9-4 with a bowl win should cool off his seat for at least another year or two.
Tim Beckman, Illinois
He's already in some hot water with recent abuse allegations from former players. But Beckman has improved Illinois' record each year since his first season. However, he went 2-10 his first year after the Fighting Illini went 7-6 the year before. If Beckman wants to keep his job, he'll need to win a bowl game this season and post at least a 7-6 record.
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