By Jim Johnson
SouthernPigskin.com

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Which ACC coaches are at risk of losing their jobs this season?

Barring a disaster of apocalyptic proportions:
Jimbo Fisher, Dabo Swinney, David Cutcliffe

These three are as safe as a head coach can be in the modern college football landscape. Swinney is 62-26 in his seven years as head Coach of Clemson and his Tigers are the early favorite to win the conference this year. Fisher is 58-11 at Florida State and just two years removed from national championship. A likely drop in success this season should not even remotely prompt the Seminoles to start thinking about making a change. David Cutcliffe has become the savior of Duke football. The Blue Devils might have a down year in 2015, but considering how far Cutcliffe has brought this program, he is virtually untouchable. It would take nothing short of an SMU death penalty or a scandal of the like to unseat these guys.

Nothing to worry about:
Steve Addazio, Paul Johnson, Bobby Petrino

It wasnt long ago that Georgia Tech fans were calling for Paul Johnsons head on a stick, but a recent bout of success has quieted the naysayers, for the time being, at least. However, if it turns out that 2014 was a fluke, it wont be long before people are calling for his job with their last breathsxa6 again. Petrino, in the second season of his return to Louisville, is highly regarded enough to buy himself at least three seasons before the administration can begin to question his place within the program. That is, unless theres some sort of incident involving a motorcycle or something, but Im sure theres nothing to worry about. Addazio is similar to Cutcliffe in the way in which he has changed the culture of Boston Colleges program and will have to have a couple of bad seasons before the Eagles can start to think about making a change.

Theyre finexa6 probably:
Frank Beamer, Pat Narduzzi, Dave Doeren

Narduzzi ought to be one tier higher as a first year coach, but since Pitt has had a new coach for the past three years in a row I have to be a little wary. Still, Narduzzi should be safe simply by virtue of it being his first season, although I am skeptical of defensive coordinators turned head coaches in the modern state of college football. Doeren, in his two years at NC State has laid the foundation for success. I believe the Pack have a chance to be a dark horse ACC contender this season. Couple that with last years performance, and Doeren has bought himself a few years of safety. As for Frank Beamer, the man is Virginia Tech football personified. The program owes everything to this man. Personally, I think they should let him stay as long as he pleases, but it wouldnt be the first time weve seen a program start to push a legendary coach out. Im not saying that will be the case here, but thats why Beamer is in this group.

Starting to warm up:
Dave Clawson, Scott Shafer, Larry Fedora

It will be Dave Clawsons second year at perennial ACC doormat Wake Forest. Im a proponent of giving coaches at least three years before you up and give them the axe, but I suspect Clawson might be making an early exit. Shafers first year as Syracuses head coach, in 2013, gave high hopes for the future of the Orange, but a repeat of last year will really turn up the heat on his seat. If he doesnt take them back to a bowl game, I wouldnt be surprised to see him let go. Fedora is the most interesting case. North Carolina could be really good with its 17 returning starters. Then again, the Tar Heels were the conferences biggest disappointment in 2014. Fedora could buy himself a lot of goodwill this year, but I also wouldn’t be surprised to see someone new at the helm, come 2016.

One foot out the door:
Mike London, Al Golden

Oh how far the U has fallen. Its amazing that a program with so much history, and some of the greatest teams of all time, that is located in the most talent rich area in the country, struggles year in and year out for bowl eligibility. Its Al Goldens fifth year, this season, and after finishing 6-7 in 2014, his job is 100% on the line this year. At this point, I dont know if its Goldens fault or what, but I will never understand how Miami cant be good, especially when Florida has been down recently. Curse of the Orange Bowl, I suppose. Mike London will need a miracle to survive his sixth season at Virginia. He is 23-38 over the last five years. I think a bowl appearance last season may have bought him some time, unfortunately, they lost five of their last six games last year and finished 5-7. A bowl game this year would save his job, but that seems awfully unlikely. The smart money is on Mike London looking for new employment before the seasons over.