SEC Heated Seats
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
In most years, after a season ends there is some turnover within the coaching fraternity.
I say “most” because after last year’s college football season, for the first time since back when Disney Animation used to turn other people’s stories into movies instead of just “reimagining” their own, the SEC did not have any turnover at the head coaching position.
I know this season hasn’t even started yet, but I feel it’s safe to assume there won’t be a repeat this time around.
Below are all the SEC coaches and the likelihood I think they’ll be coaching somewhere else following this upcoming season.
Commit a felony before they’re fired: Nick Saban, Kirby Smart, Dan Mullen, Jimbo Fisher.
In Saban’s case, I’m not even sure committing a felony would get him fired. In fact, I feel pretty sure if that ever happened at least a dozen Crimson Tide fans would plead guilty to whatever the charge was, and then probably be given a key to the city.
As for the other three, they’re not going anywhere, and nor should they be.
The car has a heated seat, but it’s summer time, so there’s no reason to turn it on: Ed Orgeron, Jeremy Pruitt, Mark Stoops, Joe Moorhead.
Short of some kind of national scandal I don’t think either of these four have much to worry about it.
LSU loves Orgeron, Pruitt is only in his second year, Stoops just lead Kentucky to arguably their most successful season in the program’s history, and Moorhead followed the most successful coach at MSU with a decent season of his own.
I’m not saying it can’t happen to either of these three, it’s just not likely.
Phew, is it normally this hot in November: Will Muschamp, Barry Odom, Matt Luke, Derek Mason.
There always seems to be that one coach that is relieved of his or her job that catches people off guard; all four of these could be that coach this year.
Muschamp and Odom are almost mirror images of each other since taking over USC and Missouri, respectively.
A third-place finish or better for either will save a job; a fourth-place finish or below and the football gods won’t be quite so kind.
Luke has done a good job bringing some semblance of respectability to Ole Miss, but is he the long-term answer? At what point do you make that change?
I think Mason is a good coach, but would you really be surprised if he’s gone after another 6-7 season. At some point Vanderbilt has to get tired of the “good, for Vanderbilt” moniker, right?
Does Two Men And A Truck have any trucks available to rent this Christmas: Chad Morris, Gus Malzahn.
Obviously, the name that stands out is Malzahn. I’m sorry, but unless Auburn were to win the West (I don’t think so) or only lose to Alabama I just don’t see Gus making it to next season. I know people like to say “you get what you pay for”, but ask Auburn how they feel about that right now.
As for Morris, Arkansas is coming off their worst season in program history and this season doesn’t look to be much better. Sometimes you’ve just got to cut your losses.
If last season was a fairytale ending you can expect the end of this season to resemble that of a John Wick movie; there won’t be a lack of carnage.