ATHENS — If the SEC football offseason seems a bit quieter than normal, it’s for good reason.
The pessimist would suggest it’s because no SEC team made it to the College Football Playoff championship game, as the deep, talented league cannibalized itself with more parity than has been seen this century.
But the realist would note it’s because there were no head coaching changes.
Indeed, when the last-place team in the league, a Mississippi State team featuring first year coach Jeff Lebby — can stay within 10 points of SEC league champion Georgia, and lose by only a touchdown at Big 12 champ Arizona State — it says much about the depth.
It’s also possible, and perhaps even likely, that as schools find themselves scrambling to find funds for NIL they are less likely to opt to buyout a coach’s contract if they can avoid it.
It’s too soon to suggest head coaching buyouts might ultimately decrease, as a result of the need for NIL funds, but it’s worth considering.
For now, here’s one opinion on how the SEC coaches rank entering into the 2025 season, based on what they’ve accomplished and the direction of the respective programs.
1. Kirby Smart
Putting Smart atop the list was an easy call after Georgia overcame adversity to win the SEC Championship Game and remain the most recent SEC team to win the national championship (2022).
2. Steve Sarkisian
The Longhorns reached a No. 1 ranking, won two College Football Playoff Games (Clemson, Arizona State) and finished runners-up in the SEC in their first year in the SEC. Texas is among the national title favorites next season with Arch Manning ready to take over at quarterback.
3. Brian Kelly
LSU is considered by some to be the SEC favorite with Garrett Nussmeier returning at quarterback. Kelly, who took LSU to the SEC title game his first year in Baton Rouge, is under the microscope despite a 29-11 record (17-7) through three seasons. That seems a bit much considering the situation Kelly inherited, and the rigorous nature of the SEC.
4. Shane Beamer
Beamer has turned South Carolina into giant killers in his four seasons as head coach, ranking as first in Gamecocks’ history to win back-to-back games against Top 10 teams and three straight over Top 25 teams. This, and he has FWAA Offensive Freshman of the Year LaNorris Sellers returning at quarterback.
5. Lane Kiffin
There are arguments to be made for Kiffin ranking higher on this list after an impressive 28-10 home win over SEC champion Georgia. That would have happened had the talented roster Kiffin built largely through the portal beaten Florida and made the College Football Playoffs. Kiffin’s offensive genius cannot be questioned, but lapses against lesser opponents leave him in this spot for now.
6. Josh Heupel
Heupel, like Kiffin, has a case to be ranked much higher after leading Tennessee into the College Football Playoff and beating Alabama two of the past three seasons. Heupel had the Vols on the verge of a breakthrough season had they won at Georgia, which would have taken them to their first SEC Championship Game since 2007.
7. Kalen DeBoer
Another controversial call, as some might not appreciate the task DeBoer had taking over Alabama after Nick Saban surprised his players by leaving the program. The Tide lost their top receiver, starting center and best defensive player to the transfer portal and were dealt a difficult SEC slate. DeBoer earned this spot by holding serve and beating Georgia, giving the Tide bragging rights over Kirby Smart for at least one more season.
8. Clark Lea
The fifth-year Vanderbilt coach shocked the world when the Commodores beat Alabama last season, and then they proceeded to play star-studded Texas within three points, impressing other coaches enough that Lea was voted SEC Coach of the Year after the Commodores 7-6 season. Vanderbilt returns talented 23-year-old transfer QB Diego Pavia, who won an injunction, which will allow him to play another season of college football.
9. Eli Drinkwitz
The 41-year-old Drinkwitz is still a star on the rise, even after taking a half step back last season with a 10-3 mark that included a 5-3 mark in the SEC. Drinkwitz has talent to work with and a favorable 2025 league slate at Missouri as he enters his sixth year leading the program.
10. Brent Venables
Venables is among the best tacticians and pure coaches, but he’ll need to prove his CEO skills as Oklahoma looks to return to greatness. Venables took over a Sooners’ program lacking in talent, but a promising win over Alabama last season is proof there is hope, and OU landed Washington State QB John Mateer.
11. Sam Pittman
Pittman is as genuine of a person and had coach as you will find, and that’s why he got the job in the first place. But kindness doesn’t feed the Bulldog — or the Razorback, in this case. A lot rides on Bobby Petrino’s offensive magic, because Arkansas does not have a star-studded football roster.
12. Hugh Freeze
Freeze is sneaky good with the Xs and the Os, but he’s in a race against time when it comes to acquiring talent. A strong in-state haul as Auburn fans optimistic, but how quickly can than translate to on-field success? The quarterback position, clearly, holds the key for the Tigers.
13. Billy Napier
If there was a “Comeback Coach of the Year” in 2024 it would be Billy Napier. Another kind, genuine coach who showed great faith throughout a first half of the season filled with misery. Could rising sophomore DJ Lagway be the Gators’ savior? Fact is, he’ll need to be.
14. Mike Elko
This seemed to be the perfect hire for Texas A&M — and it still might be — but last year wasn’t it. The Aggies looked so good at times, but they were very disappointing at others. Elko needs to step on the gas and get some momentum before the Arch Manning show turns Texas into a runaway success.
15. Mark Stoops
This is a good football coach in a bad situation, as basketball school Kentucky simply can’t get over the hump. The sooner Stoops and the Wildcats part, the better, for both parties. The $50 million buyout for Stoops and his assistants (as of November, 2024) likely kept him around for at least one more season, and possibly two.
16. Jeff Lebby
The SEC league office didn’t do the rookie head coach any favors last season, but credit to Lebby and his troops, as they kept games close and didn’t lack for effort. Lebby gets assigned the last place because of an 0-8 league mark, but he probably deserves better.