The SEC has long been recognized for outstanding football coaches. But the recognition doesn't necessarily extend to preseason football magazines.
Preseason publications rank every position in the SEC. Their all-conference preseason teams might run three-deep.
But they don't give you an all-coaches team. That's where I come in. I've compiled my All-SEC coaches team, comprised of head coaches and assistants.
Since it's pure fantasy, don't bothering asking: "How could you afford them?"
Urban Meyer: Head coach, special teams
Despite the depth of good coaching in the league, Florida's Meyer is an obvious choice as head coach. He even ranked No. 1 among the SEC coaches in a Birmingham News reader survey.
Meyer has won two national championships at Florida and coached Utah to an unbeaten season before heading south. Overall, he has won 83 of his 100 games as a head coach.
And he has the best stare in the business.
Nick Saban: Assistant head coach, secondary
Saban, who won a national championship at LSU and has Alabama on the rise, is better taking orders than giving them. So he would need a lot of leeway.
Meyer demonstrated his creativity in the way he utilized Tim Tebow as a freshman. Surely, he could find a way to capitalize on Saban's expertise.
Not only would Saban give you a great defensive coach, he's one of the best recruiters in the business.
Steve Spurrier: Offensive coordinator
So what if he hasn't been as successful at South Carolina as he was at Florida. That shouldn't devalue his worth as a play-caller.
With all the good coaches on my all-star staff, I wouldn't care if Spurrier ever came into the office. He could just show up on game day and call the ball plays.
Bobby Petrino: Quarterbacks
Petrino had a terrific track record as an offensive coach and quarterbacks coach before he took the Arkansas job last year. Then, he turned Arkansas senior Casey Dick into a respectable quarterback.
That speaks volumes.
Eddie Gran: Running backs
UT's first-year assistant coach helped develop some of the best running backs in the league when he was at Auburn. Moreover, he's an exceptional recruiter, especially in Florida.
Trooper Taylor: Wide receivers
UT's wide receivers improved significantly under Taylor. Auburn's should do the same this season.
Taylor also would give you another exceptional recruiter.
Joe Pendry: Offensive line
Alabama's outstanding line play last season wasn't all about talent. Pendry has been an offensive coordinator with four different NFL teams and has coached every offensive position in either the pros or college.
Mike Markuson: Offensive line
Wherever Houston Nutt goes, he takes Markuson with him. Markuson has coached Nutt's offensive lines at Murray State, Boise State, Arkansas and now Ole Miss
Monte Kiffin: Defensive coordinator, linebackers
The Tampa Bay Bucs won a Super Bowl with Kiffin running their defense. But his personality is well suited for the college game, which he coached from 1966 through 1982.
Imagine Kiffin and Saban having a month to prepare your defense for a national championship game.
Ed Orgeron: Recruiting coordinator, defensive line coach
Bruce Feldman wrote a book about Orgeron's recruiting at Ole Miss. That, and the success of the team Orgeron left behind, tells you all you need to know about his recruiting prowess.
He also has the perfect disposition for the defensive line, which he now coaches at Tennessee and previously coached at Southern California, Miami and the New Orleans Saints.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
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Comments » 46
GoodOleRockyTop writes:
GO VOLS!
mpm80#1357758 writes:
lame
chad_t31 writes:
JA....you really shouldn't work weekends. Just a thought.
tennezz writes:
Adams you need to get over this man love of meyer or come out of the closet!
Orangeblood13 writes:
really, he cant get enough of Fl, anti-Tenn all the way
jerk
99gator writes:
no lane kiffin?
three members of his staff would make the list, but not lane kiffin himself?
SEC__Headgear writes:
Keep trying Adams. You're bound to come up with something of interest one day. This is a great attempt at getting more than just the gaturds and some random bammers involved in what could otherwise be a meeting place for Vols fans to exchange ideas and expectations about their favorite team.
The schedule is tough but I like the prospects for a good season. Rebuilding can be fun!
jcherrie#219531 writes:
Yes, of course. But you missed a word. He is the Richard head of all SEC coaches.
HoustonVol writes:
John, it would be nice if you proof read your writing.
"Saban, who won a national championship at LSU and has Alabama on the rise, is better taking orders than giving them. So he would need a lot of leeway.
It should read better giving orders than taking them. Good at taking orders is not one phrase I would associate with Saban.
OldSmokey writes:
"And he has the best stare in the business." I think that should be state!
OldSmokey writes:
JA lay off the booze bro!!! Its starting to have a influence on you articles lol!!!!
OldSmokey writes:
lets start a poll against John Adams. let the rest of the post from here on out be a result of our feelings of him.
And mine is a FIRE HIS AS$!!!
crimsonviper writes:
Drop the word weekends and you nailed it.
Thanks JA,that's a few more minutes of my life you have taken from me.
chad_t31 writes:
3 of our own coaches are on this list; I'd say that's pretty positive. Yet, I still don't consider JA a genius. Go figure.
panties4tebow writes:
I second the motion. Hire Rucker, fire adams!!!!!
TommyJack writes:
Welcome to GGX. Go gators extra. Articles daily.
panties4tebow writes:
You must take this into consideration. This article was written by an idiot!
Volfan1 writes:
All in favor say, "aye".
AYE!
panties4tebow writes:
AYE!
cloudodust writes:
Next week, let's take the SEC AD's and have Donald Trump evaluate them...
CoverOrange writes:
Gee, and Rucker didn't even ask what Scott dreamed last night.
gtown_vol writes:
Better Idea: Don't deny your love for Meyer. Pack up and head south. Florida would be a lovely place for you to move to. I'd suggest going as far south as possible.
gnm53108 writes:
Aye!
jsm67vol writes:
A coach needs some experience don't you think to be named in this list. He doesn't have that experience yet but give him time, this vol fan plans to. UT has 3 assistants on that list which is more than any other SEC team. Whats amazing is that Adams gave UTs staff that much credit, lol!
corrinebrown writes:
Jackie Sherrill-Ethics
Johnny Majors-Refreshments
Phil Fulmer-Conditioning
Mike Price-Entertainment
elainesguyisanidiot writes:
Not at all odd. This was about an all star coaching staff. It should be obvious that the only position on this staff for young Kiffin is Atheletic Director. No one else has the stones to put this staff together.
JBVol writes:
Now that is sum funny shite, I don't care who you are!
elainesguyisanidiot writes:
Four roll models I strive to immulate.
Have to watch the films to know if I'm keeping up.
MusicMan25 writes:
I love Monte, but John Chavis produces NFL linebacker after NFL linebacker... let's add John to linebackers, and put Monte on D-Coordinator/Secondary.
Tenn_Dawg writes:
Add:
Mark Richt - Team Chaplin
Steve Spurrier - Media Relations
dwilds22 writes:
I cant wait for the season to start! These stupid polls and fantasy articles on here make me puke! Do some real research and writing! Give us something good to read while we hide in our cubicles at work and sneak to check out your website.
99gator writes:
my post earlier was in jest. lane kiffin would not belong on that list.
of course, neither do eddie gran or trooper taylor.
elainesguyisanidiot writes:
Trolls don't belong on this site either, and yet...............
thevoice writes:
Not bad. 33% of the assistant coaches are on one Tennessee Volunteers staff. Again, not bad for guys who haven't coached college in a while. I'll take it.
chargervol writes:
Kiffin got reprimanded by Slive, again! For not bowing down to the other coaches in the conference! What a hoot!LOL! Its taking forever to get to kick-off time. Dang! I'm past ready for the season to start. GO VOLS!!!
chad_t31 writes:
Ron Zook-Copier/Fax Specialist
corrinebrown writes:
Erk Russell-Haircuts
Bobby Petrino- Relocation
nmbr1vol writes:
"lame"
what else do you expect? ...it's another Adams article.
he always stops just short of the now famous cheer of all lizard fans and 'florda' congresswomen. ..."go gator"
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Nick Saban-Upholding Bama losing streak 101
RJ_Vol writes:
Charlie Pell - Payroll Clerk
footballtime writes:
wow I do not even have to comment on what an idiot you are Adams you showed it yourself thanks...now resign please
panties4tebow writes:
Give PEE WEE meyer a several more spots on this list...pantie/lyin/cheatin/cryin coach and saban free textbook/bump into coach
panties4tebow writes:
I forgot one for PEE WEE meyer.....convict/jail coach
DannyVol writes:
This article reads like one of those drunken football debates at a bar between people who are pretty stupid to begin with. However, in this case, it was published and someone got paid.
Volfan1 writes:
What happened to Adams' copy cat "article" on Scott?
Even if it was plagiarism, it was better than this drivel praising his hero Meyer.
CharlotteVol writes:
Mike Shula, graduate assistant
Les Miles, pontiff
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