Mark Schlabach at ESPN.com says Coach Kragthorpe sits on the 3rd hottest seat in Div I Football:
HOT
3. Steve Kragthorpe, Louisville
Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich insists 2009 isn't a "make-it-or-break-it" season for Kragthorpe. But after compiling an 11-13 record in his first two seasons at Louisville, Kragthorpe probably needs to at least lead the Cardinals to a bowl game, something he failed to do in 2007 and '08.Kragthorpe inherited a program that won 41 of 50 games under former coach Bobby Petrino. The 2008 Louisville team, led by record-setting quarterback Brian Brohm, finished 6-6. The Cardinals were even worse last season, finishing 5-7 and losing their last five games, including an ugly 63-14 defeat against Rutgers in the finale.
The odds are stacked against Louisville to finish with a winning record in 2009. The schedule is very difficult, with road games at rival Kentucky, Utah, Cincinnati, West Virginia and South Florida. Although Jurich has a lot of faith in Kragthorpe, Cardinals fans want to start seeing some positive results.
See full story here: Sizing up the coaching hot seat
But you wouldn't think so if you attended Thursday's Football Kickoff luncheon. Julie Hermann, UofL's executive senior associate athletic director who was standing in for AD Tom Jurich who recently had eye surgery, spewed the following quote during her comments at the luncheon:
"I am absolutely convinced, today more than ever, that we have the finest football coach in America..."
Really, Julie? The finest football coach in America? On a Thursday? The Card Chron staff just booked your lasik appointment, sweetie...