Ranking the SEC Coaches

The Southeastern Conference has some of the highest-caliber head coaches in the country, that much is a fact. But which coaches lead the pack, and which coaches are on their way out? Here’s a list, best to worst, of those who can breathe easy and those who have to prove something this season.

Keep in mind, these rankings are based upon an estimated winning percentage from now until the end of each respective coach’s reign at their current programs.

1. Billy Donovan (Florida): Until proven otherwise, Donovan is the class of the SEC. With two consecutive national titles under his belt, top-tier recruits will be breaking down the door in Gainesville. Job Safety: 10/10

2. Billy Gillespie (Kentucky): Gillespie has turned two pathetic programs around within the span of one to two years each; UTEP from 6-24 to 24-8 in a year, and Texas A&M from 7-21 to the NCAA Tournament in two seasons. With the resources available to him now that he’s a Wildcat, who knows what is possible? Job Safety: 9/10

3. Bruce Pearl (Tennessee): Pearl proved he was the real deal when he turned an almost identical team around from a 14-17 record to 22-8 in a single year. Pearl’s success has attracted an onslaught of national attention along with high-end recruits. Tennessee seems to be set for quite a while. Job Safety: 10/10

4. Rick Stansbury (Mississippi State): Stansbury has doubled MSU’s post-season appearances in his nine-year stint at the program, including the school’s first four-year stretch of 20 wins or more. An impressive recruiter, Stansbury has been crippled by commits bouncing straight to the NBA. Now that this problem has been taken care of, look for even more high-end recruits to commit to the Bulldogs. Job Safety: 9/10

5. Andy Kennedy (Ole Miss): Kennedy is one of the ever-growing number of SEC coaches that have turned a program around in a single year, his from 14-16 to 21-13.  Kennedy seems to be a bold, motivated leader and just what Ole Miss needed. Job Safety: 10/10

6. Mark Gottfried (Alabama): Gottfried has consistency on his side, although consistently falling just short of expectations is his forte’. Gottfried is a poor game-coach, and even worse bench-coach, but has reached the Elite Eight in his tenure along with a decent overall record. Job Safety: 7/10

7. John Pelphrey (Arkansas): Arkansas took a significant risk in their hiring of Pelphrey, that after no less than seven other nominees turned the Razorbacks down. Pelphrey notched a decent record of 80-67 at South Alabama, but has only reached the NCAA tournament once. With the ‘Backs’ significant history of success, the pressure for winning will be immediate. Job Safety: 7/10

8. Kevin Stallings (Vanderbilt): Most ordinary fans don’t realize how difficult it is to recruit in the SEC, much less when your school has a set of admission standards much higher than any other school in the conference. With that said, Stallings has proven to be an above average recruiter, and was a point [and missed walking call] away from the Elite Eight last season. Job Safety: 8/10

9. John Brady (LSU): Despite an impressive Final Four run two years ago, Brady has under-achieved most every other year during his tenure. Brady seems especially inept at balanced recruiting, and was carried recently by superstar Glen “Big Baby” Davis. Job Safety: 4/10

10. Jeff Lebo (Auburn): Auburn was only a game away from an SEC West co-championship last season with what was arguably Lebo’s most talented and experienced squad under his tenure. Lebo is an average coach simply outclassed amongst a talent-rich SEC coaching staff. Job Safety: 5/10

11. Dennis Felton (Georgia): Felton has taken some time turning around a consistent cellar-dwelling SEC program, but there are signs the Bulldogs are headed in the right direction. Recruiting is improving slilghtly, and Georgia has become a tough nut to crack at home. Job Safety: 6/10

12. Dave Odom (South Carolina): Dave Odom has under-achieved almost every single year as a head coach, sometimes drastically. Odom has proven to be a formidable game-coach, but very poor recruiter and talent-manager. Odom must perform this year to avoid facing forced “retirement”. Job Safety: 2/10