SEC Coaching Stock Report
Posted on February 18, 2011 by Jacob Bunn
After another intense football season, the SEC football coaches assembled once again in Birmingham for their regularly scheduled coaches meeting earlier this week. There were two new faces, several fairly new faces, and of course, the veterans. So, it is time for another stock report on SEC coaches.
In alphabetical order, here is what I think each SEC coach’s stock is coming off of the 2010 season.
Gene Chizik (Auburn) – Stock: Improved
What can you say, in two years, this man has helped Auburn produce its first national title since 1957. Chizik certainly deserves credit for coaching on the field. But off of the playing surface, he had the knowledge to arrange a tremendous staff without which the championship may not have been won. A challenge is coming now, though, for Chizik. With so many of his premiere players either graduating or attempting to go to the NFL and a rougher schedule this year, Chizik and his staff will certainly have their work cut out for them.
Derek Dooley (Tennessee) – Stock: Improved
Who would have thought after getting beat 38-24 by South Carolina to go to 2-6 to begin the season, Tennessee would win four straight and become bowl eligible by the end of the year. Enough cannot be said about the job Dooley did in his first season to keep his team together through the adverse portion of the year. Tennessee, though, is still a long way away from competing for an SEC Championship, but the Vols certainly showed resiliency in their efforts last season. But the lack of talent is still a reality for Dooley, so don’t expect any major leaps from Tennessee this season.
James Franklin (Vanderbilt) – Stock: Unknown
Although he has been coach in waiting at Maryland, Franklin has never endured the pressure of being the head man at an SEC school. Having said that, he is a very polished individual and is doing and saying the right things to turn Vanderbilt’s football program around. The problem is, the calendar reads February right now. Things will be a bit tougher four weeks into the season when the Commodores are playing in Columbia, SC.
Les Miles (LSU) – Stock: Unchanged
The Tigers did not win the national championship last year, but they really were not that far off. After the time management fiasco at the end of the Tennessee game in September, the criticism of Miles began to increase. But in his own calm way, the ‘mad hatter’ silenced all of his critics by beating Florida in Gainesville and taking out the Crimson Tide in a brilliantly coached game at home. While Miles still has some doubters out there, by and large, LSU fans realize that he is a very good coach. This will be an interesting year, though, for the Tigers. Expectations, as always, will be sky high in Baton Rouge.
Dan Mullen (Mississippi State) – Stock: Improved
After a 1-2 start to the season last year, Mississippi State went on to finish 8-4 and beat Michigan in the Gator Bowl by 38. If anyone had doubts about the former Florida offensive coordinator’s ability to get it done in Starkville, last season cleared them up. This season, Mullen looks to continue the success and perhaps reach a higher level. It won’t be easy, though, with games against Auburn in Auburn, Georgia in Athens, Arkansas in Fayetteville, Alabama, LSU, and South Carolina.
Will Muschamp (Florida) – Stock: Unknown
Muschamp was scheduled to be the next head coach at Texas. That, of course, was before Jeremy Foley, the Athletics Director at Florida, offered him the head job in Gainesville. Muschamp has never been a head coach, but that does not squelch the optimism around his hire. This year, I would not expect overly big things from the Gators. However, if conditions are just right in the east again, they may be making an appearance in Atlanta in December.
Houston Nutt (Ole Miss) – Stock: Declining
It has not been the best of times for Houston Nutt lately. However, he did collect a talent filled recruiting class this year. The question, though, is has Ole Miss improved at all since he was hired? The apparent answer is not much if any. A four-win season is just not going to cut it at any SEC program. If Ole Miss cannot turn things around this year, I doubt we will be discussing Nutt on this list next year.
Bobby Petrino (Arkansas) – Stock: Unchanged
It was a terrific year for the most part in Fayetteville, but the Hogs had two chances to make it a historic year. With a significant halftime lead on Alabama, Arkansas allowed the Crimson Tide to escape with a comeback victory. And in one of the most bizarre SEC games you will ever see, Arkansas was outscored by Auburn 65-43 (yes, in football). But, I am sure the Razorback faithful will accept a ten-win regular season. In the Sugar Bowl, though, the Hogs became the first SEC team to be beaten by Ohio State in a postseason game. Nonetheless, we knew coming into the year that Bobby Petrino was one of the better coaches in the league, and that certainly did not change.
Joker Phillips (Kentucky) – Stock: Unknown
Even though there were bright spots in Phillips’ first season at the helm in Lexington, there were also disappointments. There was not a noticeable difference between last year’s team coached by Phillips and the previous teams coached by Rich Brooks. But remember, he is only entering his second year as head coach, so give him time.
Mark Richt (Georgia) – Stock: Declining
It goes without saying that this will be an extremely important season for Richt and Georgia. With two of Georgia’s biggest rivals, Auburn and Florida, having won BCS Championships now, there is major pressure on the Bulldogs to win big this year. With anything less than ten wins, I think there is a realistic possibility that Mark Richt will not return in 2012 as Georgia’s head coach.
Nick Saban (Alabama) – Stock: Unchanged
On one hand, Alabama fans have reason to be disappointed in last season’s results. The Tide was just a play or two away against LSU and Auburn from potentially being in the BCS Championship. But on the other hand, Alabama was coming off of a BCS title and this was a “down year” for the Tide. I am sure there are many programs that would like for a 10-3 season to be considered an under par year. Saban has not let up on recruiting efforts in the least. He brought in a class this year that many consider the best in the nation. Alabama has almost all of its defensive starters returning this year; so once again, the Tide will be tough to handle in 2011.
Steve Spurrier (South Carolina) – Stock: Unchanged
After several years of ups and downs, the ‘ole ball coach’ finally got South Carolina to a place they had never been before: the SEC Championship. While the Gamecocks were embarrassed by Auburn in the actual game, the significance of the first SEC east title cannot be ignored. Looking forward, though, Gamecock fans will be chomping at the bit to return to Atlanta and win the game. Will that happen this season? With South Carolina’s returning talent and a down eastern division to compete with, it is a real possibility.
Contact Jacob Bunn at Jacob@BunnSports.com
