We asked Grok to evaluate and rank all 16 SEC football coaches.
Excitement Builds for the SEC Football Season
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) football season is just around the corner, with many teams already beginning their spring practices. As fans look forward to what promises to be a thrilling season, there’s heightened anticipation, especially considering that the SEC hasn’t claimed the College Football Playoff title for the past two years. This marks a significant challenge for the conference, often regarded as the top tier in college football.
Investment in Coaching
One key aspect of the SEC’s competitiveness is the substantial financial investment in its football coaching staff. But who stands out as the best coaches in the league? Recently, the AI assistant Grok, now available on X (formerly Twitter), provided a ranking of all 16 SEC football coaches, based on various performance metrics.
Ranking the SEC Coaches
As of March 25, 2025, the evaluation of these coaches includes their recent results, recruiting success, and overall impact at their respective schools, especially in light of the SEC’s expansion with Texas and Oklahoma joining in 2024.
Top Coaches in the SEC
Kirby Smart (Georgia)
- Achievements: Smart led Georgia to back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022. He has a strong 94-18 record and is known for his relentless recruiting tactics.
- Insight: Despite a setback in the 2024 SEC Championship against Texas, he remains at the forefront of SEC coaching due to his sustained success.
Steve Sarkisian (Texas)
- Achievements: In his fourth year at Texas, Sarkisian posted a 12-2 record and secured an SEC title, along with a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance.
- Insight: His offensive strategies and program turnaround have positioned him as a top coach in the SEC.
Lane Kiffin (Ole Miss)
- Achievements: Kiffin has dramatically turned around Ole Miss with an 11-2 record in 2024 and 43 wins since 2020.
- Insight: His innovative approach to the game and effective use of the transfer portal has the Rebels on the rise.
Brian Kelly (LSU)
- Achievements: With a 26-12 record at LSU, including an SEC West title in 2022, Kelly has had a mix of success and challenges.
- Insight: Despite a disappointing 2024 season, his extensive coaching experience keeps him high on the list.
Kalen DeBoer (Alabama)
- Achievements: In his first year after Nick Saban, DeBoer achieved a 9-3 record and made a College Football Playoff appearance.
- Insight: DeBoer’s illustrious career record of 104-12 indicates his potential to enhance Alabama’s program further.
Josh Heupel (Tennessee)
- Achievements: Heupel boasts a 38-14 record at Tennessee and led the team to a CFP spot in 2024 with a 10-3 record.
- Insight: His high-powered offense shows promise but questions linger about consistency against top-tier teams.
Eli Drinkwitz (Missouri)
- Achievements: Drinkwitz has a respectable 28-21 record and had notable seasons, including 11-2 in 2023.
- Insight: While he has raised the program’s profile, his long-term potential may be limited compared to others.
Mike Elko (Texas A&M)
- Achievements: Elko recorded an 8-4 debut season in 2024 after a successful stint at Duke.
- Insight: His defensive expertise shows promise, but lasting success at Texas A&M remains to be seen.
Shane Beamer (South Carolina)
- Achievements: Beamer has a record of 27-21, including a robust 9-3 season in 2024.
- Insight: Despite progress, he faces the challenge of competing with more resource-rich programs.
Mark Stoops (Kentucky)
- Achievements: Stoops holds a 73-65 record since 2013 with two 10-win seasons.
- Insight: Although he has seen success, a recent 4-8 season reflects a decline.
Hugh Freeze (Auburn)
- Achievements: Freeze has a 14-11 record at Auburn, with a disappointing 6-7 in 2024.
- Insight: Despite previous successes, his current record does not meet expectations.
Clark Lea (Vanderbilt)
- Achievements: Lea has a 16-33 record, but a 6-6 finish in 2024 was a respectable feat for Vanderbilt.
- Insight: He has exceeded expectations at a challenging program.
Brent Venables (Oklahoma)
- Achievements: Venables has a 22-16 record, with a difficult transition into SEC play.
- Insight: His reputation for strong defense hasn’t yet translated into wins.
Sam Pittman (Arkansas)
- Achievements: Pittman’s record stands at 27-25, highlighted by a peak season but followed by a 4-8 record in 2024.
- Insight: His job security is in question as fan support dwindles.
Jeff Lebby (Mississippi State)
- Achievements: Lebby experienced a challenging start with a 2-10 record in 2024.
- Insight: With an offensive background, expectations remain high, but results must catch up.
- Billy Napier (Florida)
- Achievements: Napier’s record is 15-22 with a troubling 4-8 in 2024, causing unrest among fans.
- Insight: Although he had prior success at Louisiana, his performance at Florida raises concerns.
These rankings serve as a snapshot of the SEC coaching landscape as of March 2025. Coaches like Kirby Smart and Steve Sarkisian are recognized for their significant achievements, while those at the bottom face scrutiny for their struggles and pressing challenges ahead.
