How Many Coaches Did Rest of SEC Have During the Nick Saban Era? All Things CW
It got to the point that it became a running joke. A head coach would be removed from his position, especially in the Southeastern Conference, and within seconds someone would be congratulating him on becoming an analyst for Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Tuscaloosa became known as coaching rehab center, and with good reason. Look around college football and it's chock-full of those from the Saban coaching tree, including at Georgia, Texas, Ole Miss and Miami.
Ironically, when Saban retired his week, the number of SEC coaches who had been on an opposing sideline, both head coaches and interim head coaches, ended up being the same number as his age, 72.
Saban, of course, had been the dean of SEC football coaches for years, just from his time at Alabama alone, never mind the additional years at LSU.
In a league that's been averaging more than three head coaches fired/hired per year, that title has been passed to Mark Stoops at Kentucky. But in the era of the transfer portal, NIL and the expanded college playoff, plus the SEC on the verge of increasing with the additions of Oklahoma and Texas for the 2024-25 academic year, don't be surprised if the coaching turnover rate only rises.
Saban's 292 career wins were the most by an active FBS head coach, and sixth all-time at the Division I level. Brian Kelly (283) and Mack Brown (282) are both close, but one else is within 100 wins of them.
His teams won a combined 11 SEC titles, going 11-1 in SEC Championship Games, including nine at Alabama (9-1) and two at LSU (2-0).
But here are two things that really separate Saban from everyone else in league history:
• His 157 conference wins (including SEC championship games) were only two behind Paul W. "Bear" Bryant's 159, in 22 years compared to 33. Overall, Saban notched 206 victories at Alabama, second all-time in the SEC for victories at the same school, trailing only Paul W. “Bear” Bryant with 224 while with the Crimson Tide.
• Saban’s 157 conference wins (again including SEC championship games) are second on the SEC career conference wins list. He's first in league history for SEC regular season winning percentage at .835 (157-31), with his former defensive coordinator Kirby Smart second at .819 (59-13).
SEC Coaching Changes During Saban Era (2007-22)
Arkansas (6): Houston Nutt (1998-2007), Reggie Herring (interim 2007), Bobby Petrino (2008-11), John L. Smith (2012), Bret Bielema (2013-17), Paul Rhoads (interim 2017), Chad Morris (2017-19), Barry Lunney Jr. (interim 2019), Sam Pittman (2020-23).
Auburn (5): Tommy Tuberville (1999-2008), Gene Chizik (2009-12), Gus Malzahn (2013-2020), Kevin Steele (interim 2020), Bryan Harsin (2021-22), Cadillac Williams (interim 2022), Hugh Freeze (2023).
Florida (5): Urban Meyer (2005-10), Will Muschamp (2011-14), D.J. Durkin (interim 2014), Jim McElwain (2015-17), Randy Shannon (interim 2017), Dan Mullen 2018-21), Greg Knox (interim 2021), Billy Napier (2022-23).
Georgia (2): Mark Richt (2001-15), Bryan McLendon (2015 interim), Kirby Smart (2016-23).
Kentucky (3): Rich Brooks (2003-09), Joker Phillips (2010-12), Mark Stoops (2013-23).
LSU (3): Les Miles (2005-16), Ed Orgeron (2016-21), Brad Davis (interim 2021), Brian Kelly (2022-23).
Ole Miss (5): Ed Orgeron (2005-07), Houston Nutt (2008-11), Hugh Freeze (2012-16), Matt Luke (2017-19), Lane Kiffin (2020-23).
Mississippi State (4+): Sylvester Croom (2004-08), Dan Mullen (2009-17), Greg Knox (interim 2017), Joe Moorehead (2017-19), Mike Leach (2020-22), Zach Arnett (interim 2022), Gren Knox (interim 2023), Jeff Lebby (named in Dec. 2023).
Missouri (3): Gary Pinkel (2001-15), Barry Odom (2016-19), Eliah Drinkwitz (2020-23).
South Carolina (3): Steve Spurrier (2005-15), Shawn Elliott (interim 2015), Will Muschamp (2016-2020), Mike Bobo (interim 2020), Shane Beamer (2021-23).
Tennessee (7): Phillip Fulmer (1992-2008), Lane Kiffin (2009), Derek Dooley (2010-12), Jim Chaney (interim 2012), Butch Jones (2013-17), Brady Hoke (2017), Jeremy Pruitt (2018-20), Josh Heupel (2021-23).
Texas A&M (2+): Kevin Sumlin (2012-17), Jeff Banks (interim 2017), Jimbo Fisher (2018-23), Elijah Robinson (interim 2023), Mike Elko (named Dec. 2023).
Vanderbilt (5): Bobby Johnson (2002-09), Robbie Caldwell (2010), James Franklin (2011-13), Derek Mason (2014-2020), Todd Fitch (interim 2020), Clark Lea (2021-23).
Head coaches: 53 (not including recent hires Mike Elko and Jeff Lebby)
Interim coaches: 19 (including Greg Knox twice)
Total coaches: 72
