SEC coaching carousel slows, for now
Southeastern Conference football coaches spent part of last year?s spring meetings getting to know one another.
With three new coaches and another returning to the league after a three-year hiatus, there were introductions, handshakes and pleasantries galore.
No need for any of that this time around.
Every football coach in the league kept his job after last season, something that hasn?t happened since 1988. Has the SEC finally found stability after 36 coaching changes in the last 17 years and numerous high-profile debacles that included the tenures of Mike DuBose, Hal Mumme, Mike Price and Ron Zook?
?It?s just a down year for firing,? South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier quipped.
Maybe so. In fact, every conference coach agreed that the lack of turnover in 2006 has nothing to do with increased job security, especially in a profession that has developed little patience for rebuilding and even less tolerance for losing.
?Job security? There ain?t none,? Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said. ?There?s pressure, but we knew it getting in this business, especially our conference. It?s very competitive. You can have a real good team and lose two or three games. That?s our business. We thrive on it, just like athletes thrive on competition. It?s no different any year. You try to play your best and coach your best and take the consequences ? good or bad.?
Nine of the league?s 12 schools have replaced their football coach since the 2000 season, with Alabama making three hires in that span (Dennis Franchione, Price and Mike Shula).
The conference had its biggest turnover last year, with Urban Meyer (Florida), Les Miles (LSU), Ed Oregeron (Ole Miss) and Spurrier taking over programs.
Despite a shake-up of his assistant coaching staff, Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer remains in the top spot after a disappointing 5-6 season.
Fulmer hired a new offensive coordinator, David Cutcliffe, who was a Vols assistant for 17 years before he left to be head coach at Mississippi.
Ole Miss fired Cutcliffe after a 4-7 season in 2004, even though he was just one year removed from being named SEC coach of the year.
Fulmer fired receivers coach Pat Washington and offensive line coach Jimmy Ray Stephens. Running backs coach Trooper Taylor moved to receivers; former Ole Miss assistant Matt Luke replaced Stephens; and Kurt Roper, a former Ole Miss and Kentucky assistant, now coaches running backs.
?Obviously it is a very tough league, and turnover has been a major part of it,? Kentucky coach Rich Brooks said. ?It?s become more and more that way. Ten years from now, it will be even more so that way. The pressure to win has increased at all levels and certainly in this league because it is such a competitive league. You?ve got to win pretty consistently.?
Indeed.
Florida parted ways with Zook before he finished his third year in 2004, cutting him loose despite a 23-14 record that included four victories against rivals Georgia, Tennessee and Florida State.
?You may not like it, but you better understand it and accept it,? said Brooks, whose job could be in jeopardy without some improvement in 2006. ?If not, you?re going to have a lot of sleepless nights.?