Spurrier still at the top of star-studded SEC cast
I’ve compiled a bunch of rankings the last month or so in the SEC — offensive players, defensive players, underrated players, clutch players and new players. But ranking the head coaches in this league? Are you serious? Five of these guys have won national championships, and there’s a reason that seven of the 12 make $2.6 million or more per year. It’s a thankless task. There are no last-place coaches in this league. For the record, the criteria I used in compiling my rankings consist of overall coaching accomplishments (specifically won-loss records, titles and wins over ranked teams), as well as how I would view that coach on the open market if I were an athletic director looking to hire a coach right now. So here goes nothing:
1. Steve Spurrier, South Carolina: The Head Ball Coach’s age (63) might deter some athletic directors, but what an advantage just having him on your sideline. The guy won six SEC titles at Florida, not to mention a national title in 1996, and changed the way they play football in this conference in the 1990s.
2. Urban Meyer, Florida: He won at Bowling Green. He won at Utah. His spread option offense is the rage right now in college football, and he’s already won a national championship in his first three seasons at Florida. The question is: How many more will he win?
3. Nick Saban, Alabama: A relentless recruiter who’s also been a master at developing talent. Saban just hasn’t stayed anywhere very long, but he won two SEC titles and a national title at LSU. If Saban is able to restore Alabama to prominence, he probably deserves to be at the head of this list.
espn.com
8/6/08
Magnolia Tribune
