Rice just fired its head football coach, and here's three more who should be nervous

It used to be that the day after the college football season ended, we saw bulletins break that this school or that one had fired its head coach. That hasn’t been true in the American Athletic Conference, though, at least not this year.

On Sunday afternoon, Rice University told head coach Mike Bloomgren to clean out his desk a day after the Owls were beaten 17-10 by UConn. He was the second AAC head coach fired before this season ended, joining former East Carolina coach Mike Houston to be relieved of his duties.

Houston was fired earlier this month.

At least Bloomgren couldn’t say that Rice rushed to judgment on him. This was his seventh season with the Owls, and his record was 24-52.

As former University of Florida Athletic Director Jeremy Foley used to say, if you’re going to do something inevitably, do it immediately.

With that in mind, could there be more firings coming at programs in this conference?

Let’s look at three coaches who are probably wary when the athletic director’s name appears on their caller ID.

Stan Drayton, Temple: He is in his third season with the Owls, and, give him this much, he has been consistent.

His first two teams finished with 3-9 records, and he is well on his way to doing that again this season.

The Owls are 2-6 and just got rolled 56-34 by, wait for it, East Carolina. The Pirates were playing their first game for interim head coach Blake Harrell. That all but screams for regime change.

At least Temple has beaten AAC foe Tulsa, which will explain the next name on the list.

Kevin Wilson, Tulsa: He is in his second season on the job, so maybe it’s premature to put him on this list. And Golden Hurricane beat UTSA 46-45 Saturday, so his seat may be warm instead of broiling.

On the other hand, are college presidents and football fans noted for their patience?

He is 7-12 overall and 3-9 in the AAC. And until the game against UTSA, Tulsa hadn’t been competitive in conference games – losing 52-20 to North Texas and 49-7 to Army. The 20-10 loss to Temple is the football equivalent of a blowout loss.

Trent Dilfer, UAB: He is another guy in his second season, but the results have not been there for someone who was an unusual hire to begin with. Before coming to Birmingham, Dilfer was the head coach at Lipscomb Academy in Nashville.

In other words, he jumped from high school to a head coaching job at an FBS school.

Can you say Gerry Faust?

Dilfer is 5-14 overall and a cumulative 3-9 in the conference, including 0-4 this year. That puts them in the AAC cellar.

Dilfer is personable and very likable, but business is business.