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More SEC News

• Arkansas escapes Louisiana-Monroe, 28-27
• Tebow helps Florida snap losing streak to Miami, 26-3
• Alabama shaky against Tulane, 20-6

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Amidst all the coaching turnover in SEC football this post-season, Major Applewhite's decision to leave Alabama for Texas might be the most intriguing.

On the surface, it looks like a step down for a coach who was a college offensive coordinator at Rice when he was only 28. A year later, he joined Nick Saban's new staff at Alabama.

Then, after just one season as offensive coordinator at Alabama, he left to become the running backs coach at his alma mater. A couple of things probably figured into his decision.

Saban might be the most demanding coaches in college football. There's virtually no down time for assistant coaches. That's why you see so much turnover on his staff every year. And that's why his assistants are so well paid.

Also, according to an Alabama source, Applewhite wanted to be the primary play caller. Instead, he would have had to share those duties with assistant head coach Joe Pendry, who has been an NFL offensive coordinator.

Alabama tight ends coach Ron Middleton beat Applewhite out the door. He took a job on David Cutcliffe's Duke staff after working under Saban for one year.

Alabama defensive coordinator Kevin Steele has interviewed for the head-coaching job at South Alabama. There also has been speculation that Alabama receivers coach and recruiting coordinator Curt Cignetti is looking to leave.

The Birmingham News reported Saturday that former Michigan quarterbacks coach Scot Loeffler interviewed Friday with Alabama. Loeffler also interviewed Jan. 9 for an opening on Tennessee's staff.

Recruiting Flourishes: Coaching instability never seems to faze Saban's recruiting. He already has 26 commitments for the 2008 signing class and is battling Florida for star wide receiver Julio Jones of Foley, Ala.

Jones is visiting Florida this weekend.

Tailback U.: Running backs Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown, who both became top-five NFL draft picks, were major contributors to Auburn's 2004 unbeaten season. But the running back who didn't stick around, also has done OK for himself.

Brandon Jacobs transferred to Southern Illinois after the 2003 season, rather than back up Brown and Williams at Auburn. Four years later, with the New York Giants, he has surpassed both of his former teammates.

Neither Williams at Tampa Bay nor Brown at Miami made it to the halfway mark of the 2007 NFL season because of injuries. Jacobs, a fourth-round draft pick, has rushed for more than 1,000 yards while helping lead the Giants into the NFC title game.

Recruiting Gaps: Florida coach Urban Meyer is working on a third consecutive top-10 recruiting class, but that won't solve all his problems.

Florida, which had only four senior starters this season, might have as few as six next season, according to a story in the Gainesville Sun.

Former coach Ron Zook's last recruiting class at Florida was a bust. So was Meyer's first class.

Of the 41 players signed in the two classes, only 13 remain at Florida.

Davis Doubtful: South Carolina running back Michael Davis might be suspended for the first two games next season for violating the athletic department's classroom attendance policy, according to The State.

That could be a major loss since the Gamecocks already have lost starting tailback Cory Boyd, who rushed for 903 yards as a senior in 2007.

South Carolina's first two games are against North Carolina State and Vanderbilt.

Stiff Competition: South Carolina has a hard enough time competing with Tennessee, Georgia and Florida in the SEC East. In-state rival Clemson is another challenge.

The Tigers, who should be the favorite to win the ACC next season, knocked the Gamecocks out of a bowl bid with a victory in their regular-season finale.

They're also beating them significantly in in-state recruiting.

Auburn Rebuffed: Running back Enrique Davis, who played at Hargrave Military Academy, has backed out of his commitment to Auburn. He changed his mind after Auburn hired Tony Franklin to implement a spread offense.

Davis told The Birmingham News he will visit Ole Miss this weekend and also plans to visit Tennessee.

Meyer Denied: Clemson running backs coach Andre Powell turned down an interview at Florida, where Meyer is trying to replace Stan Drayton, who left Florida for Tennessee.

Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.