This topic is premature.
We need to wait at least until after the Norfolk State game.
Having said that, let's be realistic and take the emotion and blue coolaid out of it, because a shrewd AD certainly will.
This program built it's early success primarily on three pillars:
1. Hofstra Transfers
2. Creative scheduling
3. Taylor Heinicke
You can form your own opinion as to how much or how little credit the head coach deserves for the above.
Defense has been a negative for the entire life of this program, save for 2016.
However, the caveat for 2016 was that it was also a season whereby we did not win a game against a team with a winning record, and the losses we did have were blowouts.
IMHO the responsibility for the lack of defense for so many seasons falls directly on the HC.
Recruiting at FBS has been less than stellar, We parlayed our FCS success into a high CUSA recruiting rank in 2014, but have been at the bottom of the conference since.
How much of this has to do with being a young program, facilities issues, or just lack of recruiting prowess is up for debate.
It should be noted that 2016 was basically the final year of our FCS players, and certainly at some positions, notably QB and OL, those players for the most part eclipsed the FBS players who came later.
Certainly any lack of recruiting prowess falls directly on the HC (for not recognizing and/or hiring coaches to rectify the deficiencies), but you can form your own opinion as to how much responsibility the HC otherwise had on recruiting or lack thereof.
On offense the problems at OL and quarterback have been glaring.
The HC's decision to go with Shuler Bentley in 2015, especially given the state of the offensive line was just wrong. I have it on good authority that the OC was not in agreement with that decision.
That decision falls directly on the HC and no one else.
The QB issue arose again in 2017, a season that we should have seen the maximum rewards of the 2014 recruiting class. LaRussa went 2-0 and then we went (prematurely IMO) to SW.
2018 saw the QB issue arise again, with LaRussa being called in (over Drayton Arnold which was curious and entire story story in and of itself).
That an undersized walkon, was our best choice, could be considered an indication of recruiting, lack of development, bad luck, or just poor choices.
In any event, except for bad luck, these fall directly on the HC.
Finally, in game adjustments and play calling are very subjective, and we fans don't always have all of the information available to make a fair critique. However, things like going for it on 4th, inside of your own 50 at this level, is not usually recommended.
The AD must consider the long term ROI of cost of a buyout and the cost of the new HC, donations and attendance, vs waiting until the end of BW's contract.
ESPN has BW on the hot seat, and I would agree.
Our recruiting looks good for 2020 so far.
Given our brutal schedule, and the turnover in players and coaches, a bowl requirement seems unrealistic.
He may get a pass this year, but IMO for BW to stay, I would think that we must see visible improvement on defense and get 5 wins.
We'll see.