COMMENTARY: Ranking SEC coaches ahead of conference play
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It should come as no great surprise to fans of college football that a majority of the nation’s top coaches reside in the Southeastern Conference.
Within the SEC, however, are some coaches that many fans remain deeply divided on.
Tennessee’s Josh Heupel, of course, is one of them.
Despite the fact that he is undoubtedly the Volunteers’ best coach since Phillip Fulmer stepped down in 2008, some Volunteer fans believe that his performance still falls below the top tier Tennessee standard.
This only begs the question: where does Heupel rank among coaches in the SEC?
Tier 1: The legend: Kirby Smart, Georgia
This pick needs little explanation. With an overall record of 119-21, two national championships, and 84 NFL draft picks, Kirby Smart is not only the best coach in the SEC, but in all of college football.
Having featured the likes of Nick Chubb, Sony Michel, and Zamir White, his offenses consistently dominate the trenches, as his teams have rushed for more than 2,500 yards in seven different seasons during his tenure as head coach.
Furthermore, he is the only current SEC coach with a national championship on his resume.
Tier 2: The blue chips: Kalen DeBoer, Lane Kiffin, Mike Elko, Clark Lea
Kalen DeBoer, Alabama: Though DeBoer’s tenure as the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide has been undeniably disappointing, it is easy to forget that he was tasked with replacing the greatest college football coach of all time, in Nick Saban.
He still took Alabama to the playoffs in 2025, also finishing SEC play with a 7-1 record.
Though it may seem like ages ago, DeBoer also took the Washington Huskies to the National Championship just three years ago, a 14-1 season that also featured five wins against schools that finished the 2023 season ranked in the top 25.
Lane Kiffin, Louisiana State: Despite his controversial nature, it is hard to argue with Kiffin’s ability as an offensive playcaller.
Beyond his tactical skills, he is an excellent motivator and one of the top recruiters in all of college athletics.
Despite the many stains on Kiffin’s legacy, none are larger than the fact that he is yet to win a national championship as a head coach.
Furthermore, his brief tenure as the head coach of the Oakland Raiders was nothing short of an unmitigated disaster, winning just five of his 20 games at the helm of one of the NFL’s most storied franchises.
Mike Elko, Texas A&M: Though Elko is entering just his third season as the head coach of the Texas A&M Aggies, he has quickly righted the ship for an Aggies program that was in dire need of change.
In the three seasons prior to hiring Elko, the Aggies were an unimpressive 10-14 in SEC play, having finished above .500 in conference play just four times since 2007.
Since hiring Elko, however, the Aggies have won 12 out of their 16 conference games, appeared in the college football playoff, and tied for first in the SEC regular season standings.
Clark Lea, Vanderbilt: Though it is without a doubt the most controversial pick on the list, I believe that Lea is one of the most underrated coaches in all of college football.
Lea took over a Vanderbilt program that was in absolute shambles, having just three winning seasons since 1984.
Though his first few seasons at the helm were met with intense struggles, the Commodores have now enjoyed back-to-back winning seasons, including a 10-2 2025 campaign that many argue should have resulted in a playoff berth.
He was also named the SEC Coach of the Year in 2025, and in 2024 led Vanderbilt to their first victory over Alabama in 40 years.
Tier 3: Safe for now: Steve Sarkisian, Pete Golding, Josh Heupel, Brent Venables, Eli Drinkwitz
Steve Sarkisian, Texas: Though pressure is mounting for Sarkisian to bring the Longhorns their first national championship since 2005, Sarkisian’s 50-20 record at Texas is undeniably impressive.
Though he has had tremendous regular season success, he has repeatedly struggled in postseason play, possessing a 4-5 postseason record as a head coach, including a pair of losses to DeBoer’s Washington Huskies.
Entering 2026 with a 13-3 SEC record, the Longhorns look to build on their victory over No. 1 Ohio State on Saturday.
Pete Golding, Ole Miss: The jury is still out on Golding, who took the reins for the Ole Miss Rebels after Lane Kiffin departed for LSU just days before their 2025 playoff run.
Golding has now coached five games for Ole Miss, four of which have been against ranked opponents.
Having only lost to the 2025 runner-up Miami Hurricanes, Golding’s most impressive win as a head coach came in the 2025 Sugar Bowl, when his Rebels defeated Smart’s Bulldogs 39-34.
Josh Heupel, Tennessee: An excellent recruiter, Heupel has had no problem bringing talent to East Tennessee.
What he has been able to accomplish with that talent, however, is where many Volunteer fans stand divided.
In five full seasons as the Volunteers’ head coach, Heupel has made just one playoff appearance (2024), a disastrous performance in which the Volunteers were obliterated 42-17 by eventual champion Ohio State.
Apart from leading the Volunteers to their first ever CFP appearance, Heupel’s biggest accomplishment was winning the 2022 Orange Bowl.
Brent Venables, Oklahoma: Venables is in a very similar situation to Heupel, having led the Sooners to one playoff appearance.
The Sooners lost 34-24 to DeBoer’s Crimson Tide, leading many to question Venables’ job security.
Though he has been able to recruit top talent, like quarterback John Mateer, the Sooners are yet to piece together a playoff run that would justify Venables’ hiring.
Eli Drinkwitz, Missouri: Drinkwitz is far from your typical SEC coach.
Because Missouri is at a natural recruiting disadvantage when compared to the likes of Alabama, Ole Miss, LSU, and Georgia, the tactical side of Drinkwitz’s job has become even more crucial.
He has not disappointed.
Drinkwitz’s Tigers are consistently competitive, using a dominant rushing attack led by Ahmad Hardy to control the clock.
If Ole Miss transfer quarterback Austin Simmons can limit turnovers and Hardy can get healthy, the Tigers could be in for another competitive campaign in 2026.
Tier 4: The hot seat: Shane Beamer, Jeff Lebby
Shane Beamer, South Carolina: Beamer is the stereotypical SEC coach. Another tremendous recruiter, he has brought top high school talent to Columbia with regularity, including the likes of quarterback LaNorris Sellers, and receiver Nyck Harbor.
However, Beamer has struggled to translate this talent into tangible results.
Though the Gamecocks finished the 2024 regular season 9-3, they dropped to 4-8 in 2025 with an identical core.
If the Gamecocks experience a similar disaster in 2026, Beamer could be served his papers.
Jeff Lebby, Mississippi State: Jeff Lebby’s tenure as the Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach has been an absolute tire fire.
With an overall record of 9-18, and a conference record of 1-15, the fact that he is still coaching in the SEC is nothing short of an absolute miracle.
When Mississippi State experiences a similar struggle in 2026 SEC play, expect Lebby to be looking for a new job.
Tier 5: The unknowns: Will Stein (Kentucky), Alex Golesh (Auburn), Jon Sumrall (Florida), Ryan Silverfield (Arkansas)
All four of these first-year head coaches are yet to make a true first impression on their respective fanbases, so the jury is still out on whether or not they help make their respective teams become competitive in the SEC.
BREAKING: Tennessee tight end Ethan Davis has suffered a significant ACL injury and will miss the remainder of the 2026 season, per head coach Josh Heupel.
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