Four SEC programs, including Alabama Football, will have new Coordinator Duos next season. The current number of new coordinators in the SEC next season sits at 14. The number could increase, most notably if Todd Monken leaves Kirby Smart and Georgia for an NFL job.
UPDATE: The Baltimore Ravens have hired Todd Monken.
Every fanbase is prewired to believe annual coaching changes are an upgrade, especially when the change is a new Offensive or Defensive Coordinator. Alabama football fans are much the same. While Crimson Tide fan preference (and probably Nick Saban’s preference) was to make Jeremy Pruitt the next Alabama DC, Crimson Tide fans are enthusiastic about Kevin Steele. Any doubts about Tommy Rees as the Tide’s new Offensive Coordinator have morphed into anticipation.
The period after the National Championship game leading up to spring games is usually filled with optimism for every SEC team – even the Vanderbilt Commodores. In Nashville, Clark Lea is holding firm, for 2023 with no coordinator changes. The same situation is expected at LSU and Florida where second-season head coaches are establishing continuity.
What would make the most sense is for fans to trust their head coach and embrace each and every new coordinator hire. To many fans, the blind trust option is too boring to consider. This leaves ample opportunity for debate over which team wins the prize for the best hire or hires.
Alabama Football and the SEC Coordinator Sweepstakes
My opinion is Nick Saban and Alabama Football made the most progress in coordinator hires. No claim of objectivity follows.
In December, the team or teams winning the hiring sweepstakes will be the SEC Champion and any CFB Playoff teams.
Until then, follow the progress through the names of the new coaches, listed below. Their previous position is also included.
- Kentucky Wildcats – return of Liam Coen as OC (NFL Rams, OC)
- Texas A&M – Bobby Petrino as OC (UNLV, OC for about three weeks and before that, Head Coach, Missouri State)
- South Carolina Gamecocks – Dowell Loggains as OC (Arkansas, Tight Ends coach)
- Auburn Tigers – Phillip Montgomery as OC (fired Tulsa head coach); Ron Roberts as DC (Baylor, DC)
- Arkansas Razorbacks – Dan Enos as OC (Maryland, OC); Travis Williams as DC (UCF, DC)
- Mississippi State – Kevin Barbay as OC (App State, OC); Matt Brock as DC ( promoted from MSU, Linebackers coach)
- Missouri Tigers – Kirby Moore as OC (Fresno State, OC)
- Ole Miss Rebels – Pete Golding as DC ( Alabama, DC)
- Tennessee Vols – Joey Halzle as OC (promoted from UT, Qurterbacks coach)
- Georgia Bulldogs – Open OC position after Todd Monken’s exit to the NFL
One fanbase not embracing a new hire bandwagon is South Carolina. Dowell Loggains is being given a rough welcome by South Carolina fans.