Rating the SEC, ACC head coaches
BY GENE SAPAKOFF
Of The Post and Courier Staff
Ole Miss has a New Mister. Now there aren't any football head coaching openings left in the Southeastern Conference or Atlantic Coast Conference.
Time for a fresh rating, based on simple criteria: Past success and likelihood of future success.
THE ELITE
1. Nick Saban, LSU: Even if he looks too much like '80s pop star Huey Lewis.
2. Steve Spurrier, South Carolina: Moves to No. 1 if Saban bolts for the Miami Dolphins.
3. Mark Richt, Georgia: Super staff helps.
4. Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech: ACC title in first year in the league.
5. Bobby Bowden, Florida State: Fading a bit, but two national titles and a recruiting magnet.
ALMOST GOLD
6. Phil Fulmer, Tennessee: The Pumpkin wins a lot.
7. Al Groh, Virginia: Assembling enough talent to break through.
8. Tommy Tuberville, Auburn: From almost fired to almost No. 1 in 12 months.
9. Larry Coker, Miami: A loss at Virginia would have made things uncomfortable.
SOLID
10. Houston Nutt, Arkansas: With Razorbacks in the wrong conference, he overachieves.
11. Jim Grobe, Wake Forest: Does more with less.
12. Tom O'Brien, Boston College: Former Virginia assistant has classy all-around program.
13. Ralph Friedgen, Maryland: Slipped quite a bit this season.
14. Urban Meyer, Florida: Two years apiece at Utah and Bowling Green. Can he recruit?
A FEW BRICKS SHY
15. Tommy Bowden, Clemson: Fine line between a contract extension and a hot seat.
16. Chuck Amato, N.C. State: Not quite as consistent as Tommy Bowden.
17. Sylvester Croom, Mississippi State: Mixed reviews: Lost to Maine, beat Florida.
18. Bobby Johnson, Vanderbilt: The wins aren't there but the man can coach.
AT THE CROSSROADS
19. John Bunting, North Carolina: Miami win was the key to a nice comeback season.
20. Chan Gailey, Georgia Tech: A little too erratic.
21. Mike Shula, Alabama: The jury is still out on a shaky hire.
DEEP IN A HOLE
22. Ted Roof, Duke: Good enough to beat Clemson.
23. Ed Orgeron, Mississippi: Yes, THE Ed Orgeron.
24. Rich Brooks, Kentucky: Rating the head coaches
SAPAKOFF from Page 1C
Somehow, he still lives in Lexington.
ACC 1-12
1. Frank Beamer, 2. Bobby Bowden, 3. Al Groh, 4. Larry Coker, 5. Jim Grobe, 6. Tom O'Brien, 7. Ralph Friedgen, 8. Tommy Bowden, 9. Chuck Amato, 10. John Bunting, 11. Chan Gailey, 12. Ted Roof.
SEC 1-12
1. Nick Saban, 2. Steve Spurrier, 3. Mark Richt, 4. Phil Fulmer, 5. Tommy Tuberville, 6. Houston Nutt, 7. Urban Meyer, 8. Sylvester Croom, 9. Bobby Johnson, 10. Mike Shula, 11. Ed Orgeron, 12. Rich Brooks.
Gene Sapakoff may be reached by e-mail at
gsapakoff@postandcourier.com, by phone at 937-5593 and by mail at 134 Columbus St., Charleston, S.C., 29403.
