The Big Ten is a conference rich in basketball history. There are plenty of great coaches and players every year. But, some programs have been struggling for a few years and fans are wondering which Big Ten coaches are on the hot seat.
Are These Big Ten Coaches on the Hot Seat?
Ben Johnson, Minnesota
After struggling for his first two seasons, Ben Johnson enters his third season squarely on the hot seat. Last year, the Golden Gophers didn’t even win ten games and had embarrassing losses to UNLV and DePaul. Minnesota also lost one of its best players after Jamison Battle transferred to Ohio State.
Things are looking bleak again for the Golden Gophers this season. Minnesota is expected to finish last in the conference and will likely have fewer wins this year than last. They return Dawson Garcia, who was the team’s highest scorer last season.
The only way Johnson can save his job is by significantly improving his team. He does not have to make the NCAA Tournament, but he likely has to be a bubble team and make the NIT.
Hot Seat Status: On Fire
Fred Hoiberg, Nebraska
Going into last season, Fred Hoiberg had one of the warmest seats in the country. After three abysmal years in Lincoln, Hoiberg led the Huskers to a .500 season last year. This bought him an extra year and a chance to get himself off the hot seat.
The Huskers lose two of their best players, Sam Griesel and Derrick Walker. As well as many other important bench pieces. However, they do return three-point specialist Keisei Tominaga for another season. If Tominaga improves, he can likely lead the Huskers to the NCAA tournament this season.
To save himself, Hoiberg must bring Nebraska to the NCAA tournament. The Huskers haven’t made March Madness since 2014 and couldn’t capitalize on one of their best seasons in recent memory last year. Although anything is possible, I see a regression coming for Nebraska and a departure with their coach.
Hot Seat Status: On Fire
Juwan Howard, Michigan
After making the Elite Eight in his second year in Ann Arbor, Juwan Howard has gotten a bit worse each season leading to missing the NCAA tournament in 2023. This season, Michigan looks like it will continue to move backward. The Wolverines lost their three leading scorers from last year; Hunter Dickinson, Jett Howard, and Kobe Bufkin.
Michigan has brought in plenty of transfers to try and fight for a March Madness appearance this season. Most notably, they bring in Olivier Nkamhoua from Tennessee. Nkamhoua will likely be the team’s first scoring option this season.
Howard’s seat isn’t too hot, but he isn’t completely safe either. If the Wolverines miss the NCAA Tournament again, expect some rumblings in the offseason and for Howard to be on the hot seat entering next season.
Hot Seat Status: Getting Warm
Who’s Out?
Of these coaches, I believe Johnson is the most likely to be fired. He has shown no indication of being successful and his team will likely be even worse this season than last. No other Big Ten coaches are close to the hot seat as Northwestern’s Chris Collins saved himself by making the NCAA Tournament last year.
