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As I reach for my red pen to award grades for SEC football coaches, I worry that a few fellas might require remedial coursework after receiving their report card.
At least some SEC coaches are headed for the honor roll.
Here’s my season grade for each coach. Keep in mind grades are awarded on a curve. A 7-6 record at Vanderbilt resonates better than a 9-4 mark at Alabama.
Clark Lea: A
Vanderbilt beat Alabama, Auburn and Kentucky, then finished it off with a bowl victory against Georgia Tech. Forget the hot seat for Lea. Lifetime contract?
Steve Sarkisian: A-
Texas lost to its toughest opponents – twice to Georgia, and to Ohio State in a playoff semifinal. But, the Longhorns took care of business elsewhere. They beat Texas A&M, continued their upward trajectory and glided into the SEC.
Shane Beamer: A-
South Carolina’s win against Clemson cemented this as a season of celebration for the Gamecocks, and Beamer’s best record yet in Year 4 triggered a contract extension.
Josh Heupel: B+
By making the playoff, Tennessee met the bar of expectations. Include a win against Alabama, and the Vols experienced more good than bad. But Tennessee’s playoff flop sours the grade a bit.
Kirby Smart: B
Nobody has outperformed Smart in the sum of the past eight seasons, but this didn’t reflect his finest hour. Credit Georgia for capturing the SEC championship, but it was fortunate to avoid losing to Georgia Tech, then went poof in the playoff.
Billy Napier: B
Napier endured a season on the hot seat, surviving with a red-hot finish after a pitiful start. Four straight wins and quarterback DJ Lagway’s surge offer hope for the future.
Eliah Drinkwitz: B
It’s a testament to Drinkwitz that Missouri fans were left a bit unfulfilled after a 10-win season. The Tigers didn’t entirely cash in on a forgiving schedule. They lacked a signature…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/sec-football-coach-grades-kalen-110840115.html
Author : The Tuscaloosa News
Publish date : 2025-01-31 11:08:00
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