As the 2024 college football season wraps up with the college football playoffs. It is time to take a look at the head coaches to see where they stand. Last season the SEC expanded to 16 teams with the addition of Texas and Oklahoma. Here’s how each team’s head coach ranks when compared to his peers.
1. Kirby Smart, Georgia
Record: 105-18 since 2016.
Achievements: Two national championships (2021, 2022), multiple SEC titles.Smart continues to dominate, with Georgia being a perennial powerhouse, showcasing exceptional recruiting, player development, and game management. No doubt number 1.
2. Steve Sarkisian, Texas
Record: 36-16 at Texas
Achievements: Took Texas to the College Football Playoff in 2023 and 2024. Sarkisian’s offensive mind has revitalized Texas football, making them immediate threats in the SEC going forward.
3. Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss
Record: 34-15 mark at Ole Miss.
Achievements: Known for dynamic offenses and has led Ole Miss to their best seasons in recent years. Has occasional moments that make you scratch your head, but has really kept Ole Miss in the national conversation.
4. Brian Kelly, LSU
Record: 28-11 at LSU
Achievements: Kelly has revitalized LSU, leading the Tigers to significant victories and restoring their status as a powerhouse in the conference. A step back this year saw him drop a little but don’t count out Kelly to get LSU back to the national title scene and soon.
5. Eli Drinkwitz, Missouri
Record: 37–24 with Missouri
Achievements: Led Missouri to an 11-2 season in 2023, including a Cotton Bowl win over Ohio State, followed that up with a 9-3 regular season and chance to get 10 wins back to back.
6. Kalen DeBoer, Alabama
Record: 9-3 in his first year
Achievements: Took Washington to the national championship game in 2023. Replacing Nick Saban is a daunting task, but DeBoer’s track record suggests he’s up to the challenge, even with a 3 loss season this year.
7. Josh Heupel, Tennessee
Record: 37–14 with the Vols
Achievements: Revived Tennessee’s football program with a high-powered offense, and has 2 10 win seasons in 4 years. Currently in the playoffs and seems to be rising even higher.
8. Shane Beamer, South Carolina
Record: 29–21 at USC
Achievements: Notable for upsets against top teams and finally developed some consistency this year. Going 9-3 with a chance to get to 10 wins with a loaded defense.
9. Clark Lea, Vanderbilt
Record: 15–33 at Vanderbilt.
Achievements: Struggling to find consistent success but showing signs of improvement with a 6-6 year heading into the bowl game. Pavia will come back and the team looks like they are settling in to compete with the middle of the pack in the SEC.
10. Billy Napier, Florida
Record: 19–19 at Florida
Achievements: Yet to make a significant impact, with recruitment being his strong suit so far. Saw a way better second of 2024, and improvement in their bowl game. Could carry over the momentum through the next year as a team to watch.
11. Mike Elko, Texas A&M
Record: 8-4
Achievements: Strong defensive background and success at Duke carried over into an up and down first year with the Aggies.
12. Brent Venables, Oklahoma
Record: 22–16 at Oklahoma.
Achievements: Turned around from a 6-7 to a 10-3 season but then fell back to 6-6 in the SEC. Will need a big bounceback year next year to keep his job.
13. Sam Pittman, Arkansas
Record: 29–31 at Arkansas.
Achievements: A 9-4 season in 2021, but recent performance has declined. Will need to jump up to get the Hogs back in contention.
14. Hugh Freeze, Auburn
Record: 11-14 in his two seasons at Auburn.
Achievements: Known for success at Ole Miss and Liberty but still finding footing at Auburn. Will need a big season next season to keep his job. The only reason he is above Stoops is the win in Lexington this year when Kentucky had much more talent than Auburn.
15. Mark Stoops, Kentucky
Record: 67-73 at Kentucky.
Achievements: While Stoops has had moments of success with two 10-win seasons, one was vacated, and his recent performance has been underwhelming too many time, including a 1-7 record in 2024. Kentucky’s performance has stagnated, and despite being the longest-tenured coach in the SEC, Stoops is much closer to the bottom than top.
16. Jeff Lebby, Mississippi State
Record: 2-10 in first year
Achievements: Offensive coordinator success at Oklahoma, UCF, and Ole Miss. Will take some time to get his players and his system implemented. Will the Bulldogs be patient enough to let it happen?
Do you agree with this list? Where would you rank each coach?
