SEC coaches; reality vs perception (delusion)

gene chizik--looks like he's gonna be a good one despite prognostications to the otherwise; good recruiters and good coaching. getting to the next plateau and competing for the sec will be difficult and tell the whole story

lane kiffin--ditto. if he can keep his mouth shut i believe he will bring ut back. i think he can challenge for the sec east in a year or so if he doesn't get really slip up and get fired.

pitino--jury out. he's strong offensively, but can he recruit and coach defense? or will arkansas be the oklahoma state of the sec? just on the cusp of competing for titles, but not quite there.

nutt-we have seen enough of nutt to know that it is unlikely he'll bring glory to ole miss. i think he'll finally bring them to atlanta one year though.

richt-he's a damn good coach regardless of what their rantards are now stating. will he have the balls to fix his program a la les miles? remains to be seen. if not, he's a goner. if he does, expect uga to compete for titles again.

spurrier-getting better athletes than previous usc coaches, but just can't get enough to put on the offensive side of the ball. it is what it is, usc will not reach the next plateau anytime soon.

les miles--miles loves to switch verbs and objects and loves to quote wierd metaphors. he also wears his hat funny and struggles with clock mgt. he is an excellent recruiter, has proven he's good enough to win a NC and has proven he's willing to make changes to fix problems. as long as he has fire in his belly, lsu will be a factor in the sec and on the national stage. predictions of lsu's demise have been greatly exagerated. the saban vs miles tirades are ludicrous. miles is just as good of a recruiter and as just as good of a coach.

nick saban--also an excellent recruiter and is a damn good coach, particullarly on the defensive side of the ball. bama is back; should also challenge for sec title and should be a factor on the national stage most years. he is a workaholic and a micro manager. if he can keep it up, bama will stay back. it's all him. bama is one open heart surgery away from mediocrity.

urban meyer--the reality is the man can recruit and coach at the top level. i do not believe his success is sustainable in today's competitive environment. ie, the bear was jack nickalaus; there ain't gonna be a tiger woods.

others--sorry post too long as it is. there are some very good coaches at every other sec school. their recruiting bases, for whatever reason, keep them from the championship plateau, but they are very capable coaches nevertheless.