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Only 3 SEC teams without a coaching change this offseason |
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Posted by: Chris Vannini on February 4, 2013 In the SEC, the coaches are paid the most, the national championships are flowing, and the best collegiate players hit the field. Given the high level of success in the conference, it shouldn't necessarily be a surprise that there are just three SEC teams that haven't had a coaching change this offseason: LSU, Ole Miss and Vanderbilt. While LSU is one year removed from an appearance in the national championship game, Ole Miss and Vanderbilt and coming off their best seasons in a while (and in Vanderbilt's case, decades). In the Rebels' case, they went 7-6 with a Compass Bowl win - Ole Miss' first bowl appearance since 2009. The Rebels were coming off a 2-10 season in 2011. That momentum has continued on the recruiting trail, where Hugh Freeze might have himself a top-five class signing on Wednesday, based on the recruiting services' rankings. As for the Commodores, they won nine games for the first time since 1915 and finished the season on a seven-game winning streak - the school's longest since 1948. This comes after a 6-7 season with a bowl appearance in 2011. Staff continuity is always difficult, but it shouldn't be considered a coincidence that two of these teams are on the rise in the SEC, while another is already near the top. Here are the three SEC staffs without a change this offseason: LSU (Les Miles): Greg Studrawa (offensive coordinator / offensive line), John Chavis (defensive coordinator / linebackers), Steve Kragthorpe (quarterbacks), Frank Wilson (running backs), Steve Ensminger (tight ends), Adam Henry (wide receivers), Brick Haley (defensive line), Corey Raymond (defensive backs), Thomas McGaughey (special teams coordinator) Ole Miss (Hugh Freeze): Dan Werner (co-offensive coordinator / quarterbacks), Matt Luke (co-offensive coordinator /offensive line), Derrick Nix (running backs), Grant Heard (wide receivers), Maurice Harris (tight ends), Dave Wommack (defensive coordinator / safeties / associate head coach), Wesley McGriff (co-defensive coordinator / cornerbacks), Chris Kiffin (defensive line), Tom Allen (linebackers / special teams coordinator). Vanderbilt (James Franklin): John Donovan (offensive coordinator / running backs), Bob Shoop (defensive coordinator / safeties), Ricky Rahne (quarterbacks), Josh Gattis (wide receivers), Charles Bankins (tight ends / special teams coordinator), Herb Hand (offensive line), Brent Pry (co-defensive coordinator / linebackers), George Barlow (defensive backs), Sean Spencer (defensive line). _______________
Chris Vannini is the lead writer for CoachingSearch.com and has covered Michigan State sports for The State News, The Oakland Press and MLive.com. He writes a weekly column for the Detroit Free Press on behalf of SB Nation. Vannini lives in Big Ten country, so his foot speed is far from SEC caliber, but his pulse on coaches is hard to match. Be sure to follow @CoachingBuzz on twitter and send your feedback to chris@coachingsearch.com |









