The SEC has shown the complete range in what you can say when asked about your coach’s job security. You can take the tact of Texas A&M’s Scott Woodward when discussing Kevin Sumlin:
2 SEC ADs have wildly different messages about their football coaches
Arkansas’ gave us the stock answer. Texas A&M’s did not.
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
“Last year was extremely disappointing,” Woodward began, “We were as highly ranked as 4 and got up there and played very competitive games and fell off, like we’ve been doing.
“We just wanna make darn sure that we’re gonna get it right. We’ve had a heck of a spring. Recruiting continues to go well.”
Or you can give the boilerplate response like Arkansas’ Jeff Long did when speaking about Bret Bielema.
“The leader is more than just winning games — and I know some fans don’t wanna hear that. Trust me, it doesn’t mean we aren’t competing with every fiber of our being to win in the toughest conference and the toughest division of that conference. But when you look at what Bret’s doing, we’re building a program that’s built on an outstanding foundation.”
Both these statements happened within a few days of each other during the SEC spring meetings. Let it be noted that these are two ADs in the same division offering these sentiments, and it underscores an interesting aspect with the level of competition in the SEC West combined with the inflated salaries.
Everyone likes to think they’ll finish the season in Atlanta playing for the SEC Championship. Putting aside the fact that it’ll probably be Alabama anyway, some team in the division has to come in seventh, sixth, and fifth. With every coach making at least $4 million, making all seven within the top 17 in coaching salaries, the pressure’s on for everyone to win and win big. But everyone can’t.
We’ll see what these coaches can do to make their bosses sing a different tune, good or bad.
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