SEC coaching underwent a major change this off-season as former Alabama head coach Nick Saban announced his retirement.
Saban is widely considered the greatest college football coach of all time, and his absence leaves something of a power vacuum in the league. from Georgia Kirby Smart appears more prepared to capitalize, as he has already won two national titles with the Bulldogs, but perhaps the one at LSU Brian Kellywhich is still looking for its first FBS national title, will be the biggest beneficiary.
Will Backus of CBS Sports recently ranked all 16 SEC head coachesand while Smart held first place, Kelly came right behind him in second place.
Brian Kelly (4 overall): Perhaps Kelly’s tenure at LSU didn’t go exactly according to plan. The Tigers haven’t been bad at any point — they’re one of four SEC programs with at least 20 wins over the past two seasons — but Kelly set his sights on championships upon moving to Baton Rouge, and those haven’t materialized yet. There’s also a feeling that LSU fell far short of its potential last year, going 9-3 in the regular season and finishing tied for second in the SEC West despite fielding a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback in Jayden Daniels . Still, Kelly has already won an SEC West title and has proven he can compete for national titles before. LSU certainly offers him the resources to return to that level, especially with a growing opportunity for an expanded playoffs. Last year: 3 in SEC
Despite having to make a lot of substitutions, 2024 will be a big year for Kelly as he enters his third season in Baton Rouge. It was a monumental blow when athletics director Scott Woodward convinced him to leave Notre Dame, and it was done with the expectation of winning a national championship, as LSU’s three previous coaches had done.
Whether Kelly can make it to the top of the mountain remains to be seen, but the list of the most talented SEC coaches is now quite short.
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