Randy Smith
There is really no doubt about which conference is the strongest in college football. The Southeastern Conference has been the best from top to bottom for several years now and 2019 promises to be just as good. Even though there has been a lot of turnover in the last couple of years in the head coaching ranks, the SEC is a fertile ground for great head coaches to advance their careers. Today I decided to rank the SEC's head coaches as we count down the days to the opening of the 2019 season.
Keep in mind that the 14th ranked coach is still potentially a very good coach, but he is coaching in the SEC.
14. Chad Morris-Arkansas
The 2-10 record in 2018 is not really indicative of how good Chad Morris is. He was successful at his previous stops at SMU and at Clemson as the Offensive Coordinator. He has a tough chore ahead as Arkansas is way down on the SEC West food chain.
13. Matt Luke-Ole Miss
Luke inherited a real mess when Hugh Freeze was let go two years ago. As he enters his third season Rebel fans are expecting their team to be competitive. I don't know if that will happen.
12. Derek Mason-Vanderbilt
If you look at the number of bowl games and number of wins for Vandy in Mason's tenure you would think he would rank higher up the list. But Vandy can only be so good no matter who the head coach is.
11. Joe Moorhead-Mississippi State
Moorhead inherited some talent after Dan Mullen left for Florida but in the next couple of years we'll find out how good he is. Starkville is a very tough place to recruit to and Moorhead will find out just how tough it is.
10. Mark Stoops-Kentucky
Stoops has done a wonderful job in Lexington but like some of the previously mentioned schools, Kentucky is a hard place to win big. The Wildcats had a great season last year but that lop-sided loss at rival Tennessee late in the season really hurt.
9. Will Muschamp-South Carolina
The Gamecocks have been able to reach the number two or three spot in the SEC East a couple of times, but after a mediocre ride at Florida, Muschamp who was once considered one of the real up and comers in college football, has done an admirable job in Columbia but nothing spectacular.
8. Barry Odum-Missouri
Just when you think the Tigers are bound for mediocrity in the SEC Barry Odum's team finishes strong and heads to a bowl game. Odum is most definitely defensive minded and with Derek Dooley calling the shots on offense, Missouri seems to be ready to make a few waves in the East.
7. Jeremy Pruitt-Tennessee
It still remains to be seen what kind of job Pruitt will do in Knoxville, but Tennessee fans are hoping 2019 will be a breakout year. Pruitt has recruited well and the slight improvement in 2018 gave everyone incentive to expect bigger and better things this season.
6. Ed Orgeron-LSU
Orgeron's second stop in the SEC as a head coach is working out a bit better than his first stop at Ole Miss. He has proven to be a great assistant coach and he has obviously been a pretty good head coach at LSU. At least the Bengal Tigers fan base loves him.
5. Gus Malzahn-Auburn
Malzahn is the only head coach in the SEC who is on a hot seat entering the 2019 campaign. But the man can coach. Remember he took his first team at Auburn to the National Championship Game. His biggest problem is dealing with the fact that he is just the second best head coach in Alabama.
4. Dan Mullen-Florida
Mullen took the Gators from four wins in 2017 to 10 wins last season in his first year. He has had a reputation for developing quarterbacks and he made a pretty good one out of Felipe Franks. The Gators are back to being a formidable foe in the SEC East.
3. Kirby Smart-Georgia
Not many coaches can equal the early success that Smart has had in Athens. His teams have made the playoffs and the National Championship Game as well as winning an SEC Title. He has recruited as well as anyone and the 'Dawgs are picked to face Alabama once again in the SEC Championship Game.
2. Jimbo Fisher-Texas A&M
One of the highest paid coaches in America already has one national crown under his belt at Florida State and he fully expects to win another in College Station. The Aggies could be a real surprise team in the SEC this fall and Jimbo is one of the reasons. He's a great X and O guy as well as a tremendous recruiter.
1. Nick Saban-Alabama
Seriously? Did you think I would name anyone else? Not only is he the best in the SEC, but along with Clemson's Dabo Swinney he could be the best in the country. A lot of folks have already named him the best coach ever and I'm almost ready to agree with them.
This week is the SEC Media Days in Atlanta and later this week, I'll begin my annual SEC Preview.
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Randy Smith can be reached at rsmithsports@epbfi.com