In my never ending quest to find off-season fodder for conversation, I came across this:
The question boils down to what criteria you’d use. For perspective, as you dwell it, here’s some things to consider:
Winning Percentage (minimum of 10 seasons)
- Saban – .849
- Smart – .848
- Frank Thomas (ALA) – .806
- Bryant – .797
- Neyland – .780
Wins (minimum of 10 seasons, again)
- Bryant – 292 (33 seasons)
- Saban – 254 (22 seasons)
- Spurrier – 208 (23 seasons)
- Dooley – 201 (25 seasons)
- Vaught – 190 (25 seasons)
Bowl Wins
- Saban – 19
- Bryant – 15
- Spurrier – 11
- Vaught – 10
- Richt and Smart – 9 (T) Note: Dooley had 8, though we need to consider the proliferation of bowl opportunities that existed in the later years
Conference Championships
- Bryant – 13
- Saban – 11
- Vaught – 7
- Spurrier and Dooley – 6
- Butts – 4
To the best of my ability, I think that’s right. That’s a lot of stats and data, so you might go with numbers or you might go with feelings.
I would give a nod to Dooley, and while Kirby has had double the success with National Titles, it was a different conference in Dooley’s age and I’ve long held the unpopular opinion that Smart has enjoyed a space of time where Tennessee, Florida, and Auburn have been wretched, and Tech hasn’t been much better in his ten years with the program. I said it’s unpopular, but it’s also true. I love Smart and I love our golden times, but I wonder what happens when these programs correct themselves (note: here’s hoping they never do, fuck ’em) and wonder if Richt would’ve had the success in his days if the SEC East was as terrible as it has become prior to conference expansion (as well as our traditional old West foes).
I’d give a nod to Dooley for a face on the SEC Coaching Mount Rushmore, and a possible fourth, as much as it pains me to say it, to Spurrier, though Vaught has some impressive stats and, hell, he was at Mississippi.
What say you? Who are the four best SEC coaches of all time?
I’m going Kirby and Spurrier. It is tough between Smart and Dooley, but Kirby would have more SEC Championships under the old system Dooley coached under and has won twice as many National Championships in half the time.
Spurrier revolutionized offense in the conference and that added to his winning gets him in over the others.
Oklahoma is in the conference, Barry Switzer would have to be on there.
I don’t think you count him since he all his accomplishments are from the Big 8 era. He is on that one for sure with Tom Osborne.
Dooley for class and character, Smart for wins and swag. Either or both would be fine options in my opinion.
Spurrier and then Neyland as a place holder until Coach Smart retires.
Yeah, I hate both teams, but I have to agree with you. And I wouldn’t put a current coach on there, so no Kirby, but he gets his own mountain when he retires.
Spurrier(barf) & Dooley… but the mold for Kirby is being prepared as he will pass them both.
Oui monsieur. This is correct.
I think its SOS and save a spot for Kirby. And then its done.
I love Vince to death, but the SEC was a 6 game schedule back then. The same 5 opponents every year: barn, UF, UK, Vandy, & OM. Not exactly murderers row. I’m not going to do the math, but I’d bet those 5 were under .500 during Dooley’s tenure.
And, other than Bama, no one in Conference won shit from 1964-1988.
The were no divisions to win. No seccg to get your conf. title.
Plus, Steve won at higher levels than they’s seen at two different SEC schools. Plus the Duke and Heisman as player thingies should count as well.
No one really belongs with those 3, but Kirby is coming hard.
Lets pick one (probably Spurrier), and leave some space for Kirby to finish his career. Hate to have to remove one.