Now that all four openings in the SEC have been filled, it's time to gauge the new members of the fraternity.
From best to worst:
Arkansas - Bret Bielema. Jeff Long ran by far the best search of the four, landing the only guy with BCS experience. Bielema is a proven, successful head coach. He will win games, but may struggle early, as the Hogs aren't tooled to run his power style of football. Solid hire. A-
Tennessee - Butch Jones. Despite the rollercoaster circus Dave Hart conducted, the Vols may have actually gotten a great coach. Granted, Jones has made his name following Brian Kelly, but he has won everywhere he's been. And, he beat Vanderbilt. That's a plus, right? B+
Auburn - Gus Malzahn. The man many people thought was the only real coach on Gene Chizik's staff is now the head coach. But he has only one year of experience as a head coach. In the Sunbelt. With a talented team built by Hugh Freeze. It's a risky hire that may pan out or might shove the Tigers into the abyss of mediocrity for a decade. B-
Kentucky - Mark Stoops. There is no telling here. Kentucky wants to be competitive in the conference and would be happy just making a bowl every year. Stoops' name doesn't get them there--his recruiting and coaching acumen will have to. He's never done that at this level and all the Wildcats can do is hope. C+
Final note: Had any of the above taken the path to the dark side and hired Bobby Petrino, the grade would have been a big fat F. He left every employer he had angry and embarrassed. He will probably do it again, but you watch--some toad somewhere will give this scorpion a ride across the creek, and they'll feel his sting. It's what he does.
From best to worst:
Arkansas - Bret Bielema. Jeff Long ran by far the best search of the four, landing the only guy with BCS experience. Bielema is a proven, successful head coach. He will win games, but may struggle early, as the Hogs aren't tooled to run his power style of football. Solid hire. A-
Tennessee - Butch Jones. Despite the rollercoaster circus Dave Hart conducted, the Vols may have actually gotten a great coach. Granted, Jones has made his name following Brian Kelly, but he has won everywhere he's been. And, he beat Vanderbilt. That's a plus, right? B+
Auburn - Gus Malzahn. The man many people thought was the only real coach on Gene Chizik's staff is now the head coach. But he has only one year of experience as a head coach. In the Sunbelt. With a talented team built by Hugh Freeze. It's a risky hire that may pan out or might shove the Tigers into the abyss of mediocrity for a decade. B-
Kentucky - Mark Stoops. There is no telling here. Kentucky wants to be competitive in the conference and would be happy just making a bowl every year. Stoops' name doesn't get them there--his recruiting and coaching acumen will have to. He's never done that at this level and all the Wildcats can do is hope. C+
Final note: Had any of the above taken the path to the dark side and hired Bobby Petrino, the grade would have been a big fat F. He left every employer he had angry and embarrassed. He will probably do it again, but you watch--some toad somewhere will give this scorpion a ride across the creek, and they'll feel his sting. It's what he does.
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