NFL
By: Zach Bunch
The most elite conference in College Football has met in Nashville this week to “talk ball”. Coaches and players alike are getting people amped for the upcoming 2023 season. These coaches are all fighting for a Conference Title before next year’s expansion and division changes. The SEC conference will be gaining Texas and Oklahoma next year and changing their division format. This season is very important to these schools as it is the last year for a lot of drawn-out rivalries. I will be grading the head coaches of these teams while analyzing the good and bad reasoning for their grades. In the SEC, “IT JUST MEANS MORE” so let’s get to it.
Brian Kelly
Good: “Embracing the Future”
His first year in the SEC included a trip to Atlanta for the SEC Championship. That wasn’t expected but it shows there is a bright future in Baton Rouge. He also noted that they will be using AI as a tool for opportunities to enhance recruiting.
Bad: “Fake it for the BLING”
I am a big fan of authenticity in head coaches. Brian and his fake Southern accent are far from authentic. I would rather him be Coach Kelly and not change his voice for recruits.
Grade: A-
Elijah Drinkiwitz
Good: “Ability”
Elijah has shown at smaller schools that he can build a program. He has many talented recruits with the ability to turn around his misfortune while being at Mizzou.
Bad: “Chopping Block”
Despite his contract extension he seems to know he is on a hot seat. His players can float him to shore or sink his ship. He seemingly tried to avoid any questions on his future because he is aware that he is on the so-called “Chopping Block”
Grade: C-
Jimbo Fisher
Good: “Fire Power”
There is no denying his ability to recruit talented student-athletes. Jimbo has the “Fire Power” to win the SEC West this year. He has 10 starters on offense and 10 on defense returning from a class that was #1 in the country.
Bad: “Collaboration”
He seemed a tad skittish and off-kilter during his media day time. The ol’ ball coach made a splash by hiring former SEC Head Coach Bobby Petrino to take the reins of the OC job. Fisher has been the main play caller for his teams while being head coach. Can he release the reins and let Bobby grab them? Yet to be determined……
Grade: D+
Hugh Freeze
Good: “Humbled”
Fall 7 times, Stand up 8….. Hugh seemed very grateful for this opportunity to be back in the SEC. He came across as honest during the media day process. He knows that his teams may struggle but I am sure Hugh will help on the Plains in the near future.
Bad: “Old dog, New tricks”
He pointed out many times during his interview that his system has been used by many OC’s in the SEC. He might have a tough way to go without having the matching talent as other teams. This first year he may have to pull new tricks to win games.
Grade: B+
Kirby Smart
GEORGIA BULLDOGS
By Chip Towers
Updated July 20, 2022
Good: “Kiss The Ring”
The Dawgs are aiming high and missing small in NCAAF. They have owned the SEC for 2 years and the train might not stop rolling. Kirby has made sure to focus on not being complacent with his staff and players. Can they get the 3peat? I guess we will wait and see but for now, we all must kiss the ring.
Bad: “Super Speeders”
Georgia has been in the media since their title win for players driving recklessly more than once. Kirby needs to make sure to fix this problem before it becomes a red mark on his legacy.
Grade: A+
Zach Arnett
Good: “Spirited”
Being a first-year head coach unexpectedly is not the easiest task. He will take over a team that has strong roots and he seems like a spirited players coach.
Bad: “Big shoes to fill”
Mike Leach was absolutely one of a kind and it will be tough to create a legacy. He has extremely large shoes to fill in Starkville. Does Arnett have what it takes? We shall see……
Grade: B-
Clark Lea
Good: “Important”
Clark Lea is a born and bred Nashvillian. He received a 3-year extension the morning of his media day interviews. He made sure to emphasize that FOOTBALL is important to Vanderbilt University.
Bad: “Uphill Battle”
Being the HC at Vandy can be a difficult spot to be in. To be fair, recruiting against 13 other schools with facilities that are superior can be an uphill battle. Clark needs to put his hiking boots on and get to really trekking to bring Vanderbilt to its glory days.
Grade: C+
Nick Saban
Good: “Development”
Saban made it clear that development is the most important process to win the SEC. He has created a culture of winning and winning big in Alabama. If Alabama hopes to win the SEC development of a new great AL Quarterback is on top of the list. He is known as one of the best coaches of all time. So, you have to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Bad: “Cakes not finished”
He made quotes about how they are still cooking each day. I believe Nick knows that other coaches are recruiting just as well as he is now and they are catching up. He says the cakes are not finished yet but he better make sure to read the instructions. Georgia, Tennessee, and LSU are on their tails and have the icing out already.
Grade: B-
Sam Pittman
Good: “Ol’ Reliable”
Pittman has hired a very reliable coordinator to help him improve his offense. Sam made sure to say Dan Enos was the best play caller he has ever worked with. Sam is hoping Ol’ Reliable helps him win for the Razorbacks. He can recruit very well but can he beat the big dogs in the SEC West?
Bad: “Revolving Door”
Having coordinators come and go can be tough on a team. Sam seems to have trouble with retaining staff members. Hopefully, the revolving door slows down for him. It’s put up or shut up time in Fayetteville for Pittman and crew. They haven’t met expectations but the upside is just inside that door if he can stop it from moving.
Grade: C-
Billy Napier
Good: “Confidence”
Billy exuded confidence in his football team and his school being an “everything school”. They have young talent that will develop this year and Billy has confidence that he will bring Florida back to greatness soon.
Bad: “Inexperienced”
Young talent usually means inexperienced actions on the field. Only 48% of the roster is returning for Florida so it could be a growing season for the Gators.
Grade: C-
Mark Stoops
Good: “Overcomer”
Mark Stoops knows that his team isn’t considered a top-tier SEC school. He recruits to his style and has a great portal class involving QB, Devin Leary. They are overcomers and should have a very nice bounce-back season.
Bad: “Bounce Back”
Can the Wildcats use their new players from the transfer portal to bounce back? A 7-6 record is not up to Stoops expectations and it will not be accepted by the boosters either. Can they improve for the 2023 season? To be continued…….
Grade: C+
Lane Kiffin
Good: “Players Coach”
Lane Kiffin didn’t talk much about preparation, complacency, or football in general. He made an emphasis to talk about NIL and “pay for play”. He is definitely looking out for the student-athletes. Lane is definitely a players coach.
Bad: “Stagnant”
Lane wants to win and at Ole Miss it can be tough sledding. Is Lane stagnant about being in Oxford? I think he might be….
Grade: B-
Shane Beamer
Good: “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop”
SC has been hot on the recruiting trail and had 2 very big wins at the end of their season last year. Shane seems like he is on a roll and he is looking to put some butter on it. Be looking for bright days in Columbia in the near future.
Bad: “Young guns”
They have some experience offensively but they will be very young on defense. If, Shane can get the young guns coached up he might be able to have another good season.
Grade: B+
Josh Heupel
Good: “Another One”
Heupel is hot on the recruiting trail and I don’t see it stopping anytime soon. They just snatched their first 5-star since Josh took over the program on Rocky Top. He has an explosive offense that was ranked #1 nationally in many metrics last year. Offense will be vital to winning the big games this year.
Bad: “Speed Bump”
Tennessee had to wait for NCAA violations to be brought down on them. Heupel said this was only a speed bump in the process of bringing TN back to National Relevance. He had to lose recruits through this situation which is never good for a program. They’ll have to create a great plan to make sure it doesn’t affect them in the long run.
Grade: A-
Can the SEC win the National Title 5 years in a row? It will be a long season with many trials and amazing games.
The NCAAF season will be here before you know it!
Grab your favorite team apparel from our friends at Fanatics and be prepared for the show!
