For every college football team that exceeds expectations early in the season (see: Florida, Utah), there is another that couldn't back up the preseason hype and are disappointments. These coaches have led the nosedives of their respective teams into the latter category. In no particular order, here are six college football coaches that have been huge disappointments this season.
Charlie Strong, Texas Longhorns
Charlie Strong didn't inherit a great situation as the Longhorns don't have a lot of upperclassmen producing on the field, but that doesn't mean Texas should be this bad. The offense, even with the switch to Jerrod Heard at quarterback, has been one of the worst in the country, and the defense - Strong's specialty - has allowed at least 30 points in every game this season.
Special teams miscues have shown up in the last three games and cost Texas at least a chance at overtime in two games this season. The Longhorns are 1-4 and will likely start the season 1-5 with a game against Oklahoma coming up. Texas already had one player tweet about transferring at halftime of the Longhorns' blowout loss to TCU. There is a real chance that Strong could be fired if he can't get his team turned around quickly.
Butch Jones, Tennessee Volunteers
The Volunteers were a popular pick to win the SEC East this season, but instead, they've blown late leads against Oklahoma and Florida and lost a game they were heavy favorites in against Arkansas. This Tennessee team was close to being an SEC contender, but Jones has failed to take them.
Mike Riley, Nebraska Cornhuskers
Losing to Illinois is not okay for Nebraska, something they haven't done since the 1920's - quite frankly, that's a game Nebraska should win every season, especially when Illinois is already on an interim head coach. Mike Riley simply might not be the right coach for Nebraska as they don't seem to be moving in a positive direction from the Bo Pelini era.
Gus Malzahn, Auburn Tigers
Auburn was a popular College Football Playoff selection in the preseason, but the Tigers haven't come close to living up to those expectations. With losses to LSU, Mississippi State, and a near loss to Jacksonville State, Gus Malzahn's seat is getting a little warm. QB Jeremy Johnson was supposed to be the next Cam Newton, but he's already been benched for redshirt freshman Sean White. Safe to say, it's been a very disappointing season for Auburn.
Mark Helfrich, Oregon Ducks
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Losing by 3 on the road to Michigan State is one thing - but getting embarrassed in a 62-20 blowout loss at home against Utah is another. Oregon was expected to compete for Pac-12 title, but with major QB issues, that likely won't happen. The Ducks have fallen out of the Top 25 for the first time in forever, and there's very little to be excited about in Eugene.
Bret Bielema, Arkansas Razorbacks
A win over Tennessee was big for Arkansas this weekend, but that simply made the Razorbacks a huge disappointment instead of a complete and total disaster. Losses to Toledo, Texas Tech, and Texas A&M were all unexpected at the start of the season for a team that was a popular dark horse pick to win the SEC West, and Bielema is as much to blame for that as anyone.
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