Okay now that Arkansas has hired John L. Smith as there 2012 head coach it's time for me to rank the new order of power in the SEC. Ranking SEC coaches is a very ticky thing, Spurrier once was the face of the SEC, Chizik has a national title and a record just above .500, Richt has the record but no natinoal titles.
SEC TOP 14 COACHES
- Nick Saban - This is probably the easiest one to rank with three national titles at two different schools and a record of 146-54-1 Saban is clearly tops in not just the SEC, but the nation.
- Steve Spurrier - Ten years ago he would have topped this list, but five years ago he would be more like fifth. The last two season along with his Florida days are enough for me to move the ole ball coach back into the top two. What he's now doing at South Carolina has never been done before. Last years SEC east champions and followed that up with a ten win season. His record is 197-75-2 and has won one national championship.
- Les Miles - The Mad Hatter, was on his way to a prefect season until he meet Saban for the second time. Miles coaching job in that game was horrendous, that along got him moved below Spurrier. Miles has a very impressive record though at 103-39 with one national title.
- Mark Richt - His record of 106-38 along with his two SEC championships are very impressive, but he's never gotten the Bulldogs over the national title hump. He won the SEC east last year and looks primed to be back in Atlanta again.
- Gary Pinkel - Before Pinkel got to Mizzou in 2001 they were nothing! A few years later and the Tigers was a Big 12 Championship game away from going to the national championship. In his 21 years as a head coach his record is 158-91-3. I do think it's going to take some time for them to adjust to the power play of the SEC, but I see Pinkel and Mizzou become a player in the east maybe this year.
- Gene Chizik - He's done something most coaches dream of and that's lifting up the crystal ball, but it was bookended with so-so seasons and the 5-19 Iowa St record keeps Chizik out of the top five for right now. Since he's been there recruiting has been at a high level, and if he can start to improve on his 35-29 record some more then he could break into my list top five.
- Will Muschamp - We know his passion and fire for the game, he puts that on display every week, but can he put together a winning team as a head coach? Like most coaching Jobs the first year has to be a throw away look at Alabama's first year under Saban. Muschamp has a long history of being a good coach, and his that history that keeping him out of the seller of the SEC coaches.
- Kevin Sumlin - I think Sumlin is a great hire by Texas AM and one that could make them a player in the SEC. They have been able to get talent into College Station, but Sherman couldn't put it all together. Sumlin will bring a high powered passing attack to a defences heavy SEC, now I don't think he will catch magic in a bottle like Spurrier did in the 90's, but It will be something SEC D's are not used to seeing.
- John L. Smith - I think Arkansas moved themselves back five years by making this hire, but that's TBD. Smith brings a lot of experience as a head coach, but there was a reason the Hogs stole him from Weber St not Michigan St. Smith is a charter, but the Hogs are loaded and I think they will have a good season. Smith will sign a new deal, but then start to do like he does everywhere else. I could see him moving down my list. Overall he's 132-86
- Dan Mullan - He's made Mississippi St into bowl caliber team, now at some place this would get you fired, but for Miss St it's something rarely done. His record only shows at 21-17, but if he was at a school with more resources then they sky might be the limit. I'm not sure how much longer Mullan sticks around, but anyone with a winning record at state deserves a bigger job.
- James Franklin - Taking Vandy to a bowl game in your first year is no easy task in fact it might have been one of the best coaching jobs in the nation last season. Vandy was just a few bad breaks from going 8-5, 9-4 ish. Franklin won't be in Nashville very long if he stays on his current track, next year he might make a huge jump in my rankings.
- Hugh Freeze - He was mighty impressive at Arkansas St taking them to a 30-7 record during his time there. Freeze will bring some success to Ole Miss, but it might take some time. I think Freeze could bring Ole Miss on to the same level Mullan has Miss St (6-6; 7-5) which sounds good right now if your a rebels fan.
- Derek Doodley - At one time I thought he would make a very good head coach, but after watching him the past two season up in Knoxville I'm having major second thoughts. Doodley looks like a deer in the head lights, and just doesn't seem to have "it". Over all he's 28-34 and if he's going to have to get way above .500 to save his job.
- Joker Phillips - At one point in time I would have gave the Kentucky coach the same leniency that I would give the Vandy coach. But when Phillips took over the Wildcats where a 7/8 win team, and now there a 4/5 win team. For Joker to get out of last place in the SEC he will have to get his record of 11-14 above .500 and start getting the Cats back in bowls.
-Patrick Pierce
Follow me on Twitter: @Patrickp13
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