re: Ok let's do it - Rank the SEC head coaches

If you emphasize this point
Rank them according to who you would most want your school to give a new 5 year contract to.
then I can see some of your points. Bert has definitely earned an extension at Arky, and seems to have them on the right track. They may never be spectacular, but should remain strong annually.

Regarding some of the others- and you have to place them each at their own programs- you should go from the bottom up.

Last: McElwain. Hasn't done anything at this level. Probably not as well thought of as Muschamp, nationally, at the time of hire. Let him earn his tenure before you lock him in.

Next group from the bottom:
Sumlin (started with a splash, has declined each year)- you want him to do something more, not less, each year.
Gus- this is due to the Chizik factor. Chiz won a title vs Gus got there and lost; they both had minor bowl seasons. Before you give an extension, you want to make sure the success wasn't just an Auburn cyclical thing.
Mason- kind of tough being at Vandy. Doesn't look like he will have much success, but you might not care.
Freeze- he might be higher, but you'd like to see what happens a couple more seasons.

Next group (you basically give them the extension if they want it):
Miles, Saban, Spurrier, Richt, Pinkel. These guys have been around, their programs are solid, and barring disaster (which you can buy out), you let them stay as long as they want. They won't leave unless they retire, and that will likely be a planned transition when it happens.

Next group- you pursue the extension to keep them.
Bert- he's done the dirty work, now you try to keep him and build.
Jones- some progress on the field, a lot of recruiting; Tennessee needs stability more than anything, and Jones seems competent.
Mullen- steady plodder who has brought Miss St about as far as they can go. That's not a bad thing- Mullen might have been an Urban Meyer type if he went to a bigger program, or a less competitive conference. You want to lock him in so he doesn't do just that.
Stoops- he seems like a competent college coach, and Kentucky is basically a mid-major. Their best-case scenario is to replicate the Mullen/Miss St circumstance, so if you think he's decent, you might want to lock him up now. Honestly might be the best move, because if he stinks, it won't be like it was unexpected... but if he's good, you might want to have him already tied in, and hope he's loyal in return.

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how many coaches are better at player development than Bert?

I'll hang up and listen

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You mean how many coaches sign guys who are lowly rated and send some of them to the NFL?

Because Saban and Miles sign elite athletes then send a massive amount of them to the NFL as well trained football players.

So, you tell me which is better. I honestly don't know. If your position is "Well Bert is better because he takes 3-stars" then that is just silly because it inherently eliminates Saban, Miles, Richt, etc.

Saban and Miles send more kids to the NFL than anyone in America. They also recruit better than 98% of America. I'd argue they are just as good at developing talent as anyone else, their talent just so happens to be very good. But they then develop that very good talent into 1st and 2nd round NFL picks and future NFL starters. In bunches.

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how many coaches are better at player development than Bert?

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The ones that have more than 2 SEC wins

Gus took a would be LSU offensive guard and turned him into an LT taken number two overall

If it was strictly by 5 year contract only,
(that is, younger coaches) I would go: Gus, Jones, Freeze, Stoops.

This isn't even low quality trolling

Bert has done a good job so far at Arky, but seriously, what has he done to get a huge raise and contract extension. He has won 2 conference games in 2 years. One win was against a team that had their 5 best players out and the other team was on tDecline. He has shown potential, but he hasn't proven anything.

I have seen our AD give extensions too early many times. When the coaches eventually failed, it really bit us financially. Bert may end up working out, but don't act like he is the best coach in football.

Look.
Another "let's rank something" SECr post.

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Bert has done a good job so far at Arky, but seriously, what has he done to get a huge raise and contract extension. He has won 2 conference games in 2 years. One win was against a team that had their 5 best players out and the other team was on tDecline. He has shown potential, but he hasn't proven anything.

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Bert was a proven top quality coach before he ever came to Arkansas. Now at Arkansas he can afford to pay his assistants more, recruit better athletes, and benefit from the exposure and competition the SEC provides.

Yeah he only won 2 conference games in his first 2 years here, but it was a rebuilding project. Not only was it a rebuild, he was completely changing the way Arkansas played football. Growing pains were expected, but it's easy to see Arkansas is now is position to start competing for championships.

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Arkansas is now is position to start competing for championships.

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