re: SEC coach of the year?

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For example, Kirby won it in 2017 even though Bama won the title. He did win it in 2021 too... because he got UGA over the national title hump. But unless they get worse before having another great season or there's no coach who brought a team up significantly, he'll be passed over.

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If he wins back to back NCs, he’s in pretty rare air for coaches. But I understand what you are saying

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They rarely give this kind of award to a coach that was great and continues to be great like Smart.

It tends to go to coaches who's teams were not good in prior years and then do well.

For example, Kirby won it in 2017 even though Bama won the title. He did win it in 2021 too... because he got UGA over the national title hump. But unless they get worse before having another great season or there's no coach who brought a team up significantly, he'll be passed over.

Saban probably should have 10 of these. He only has 5 (1 from LSU).

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In some cases, yes, but here are the winners since 2008 and remember COY is named before the bowl games

2008 - Saban - undefeated regular season
2009 - Sabana - won SEC
2010 - Chizick - won SEC
2011 - Miles - won SEC
2012 - Sumlin - went 11-2
2013 - Gus - won SEC
2014 - Mullen - Saban maybe could have gotten it here
2015 - McElwain - Saban should have gotten it here
2016 - Saban - won SEC
2017 - Smart - won SEC
2018 - Stoops - took Kentucky to a 10-3 record, deserved
2019 - Orgeron - won SEC
2020 - Saban won SEC
2021 - Smart won SEC

It hasn't happened often that the COY didn't also win the SEC title, Saban being one of those coaches. The only year I say Saban may have gotten robbed was in 2014. But no, he shouldn't have won 10 of these, maybe 6 or 7 to the 5 he's won.