re: Best current HC in the sec?

Coach worship is a thing of a by-gone era, especially now that the goat is no longer in the game.

All coaches these days are mercenaries hired (and paid very well) to recruit and babysit 18-22 years old young men and also manage a smaller group of middle age men tasked with teaching those same recruits how to play D1 football. Sure any hired gun will embrace school traditions, tell recruits nobody has a better program/school experience etc...that is until they're kicked to the curb or get a better offer, then all those things suddenly apply to their new school.

Best current coach in the SEC is Kirby Smart based on results. Back to back championships, played for the SEC CCG this past year. All other coaches are just vying for second place at this point.