Ranking SEC head coaches by wins ahead of 2023 season

It is no surprise that Alabama’s Nick Saban is at the top of this list by a wide margin. Saban has been a head coach for 27 years and has never had a losing season. He led LSU to two 10-win seasons in 2001 and 2003 and has led Alabama to 15-straight 10-win seasons.

Kelly may be one of the SEC’s newcomers, but he has plenty of experience as a head coach. In 12 years at Notre Dame, he won 113 games, which is the most in Fighting Irish history. Prior to Notre Dame, Kelly won 53 games in seven seasons at Central Michigan and Cincinnati. LSU won 10 games and defeated Alabama during his first season (2022).

Jimbo Fisher won 83 games during his time at Florida State, which included a BCS National Championship and an appearance in the College Football Playoff. Texas A&M is still awaiting the same success, as the Aggies haven’t enjoyed a 10-win season since Fisher’s arrival in 2018, and have not participated in a bowl game since 2020.

Kiffin has built something special at Ole Miss by leading the Rebels to three straight bowl games. He enters his fourth season at Ole Miss in 2023, which will tie his longest stay at any program. If he were to return to Ole Miss in 2024, it will be his longest stay in one place.

Welcome back to the SEC, Mr. Freeze. Freeze rejoins the SEC after spending six seasons away from the conference. While at Ole Miss from 2012-2016, Freeze won 39 games, and led the Rebels to a 10-win campaign in 2015.

With Smart’s recent success, it is hard to believe Smart has won just 81 games as head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs. However, it won’t be long before he reaches Nick Saban-like numbers. The Bulldogs will be in College Football Playoff talks for the forseeable future, so expect Smart’s win total to rise by a large margin in 2023.

Believe it or not, Mark Stoops is the second-longest tenured head coach in the SEC behind Nick Saban. It is for good reason, too.  Stoops has led Kentucky to two 10-win seasons since 2013. Prior to Stoops arrival, Kentucky had experienced two 10-win seasons from 1915-2013.

Napier reached 10 wins in three of his four seasons as head coach at Louisiana, and Gators fans are hoping he can find the same success in Gainesville. Florida ended the regular season with a 6-6 record, but a bowl loss to Oregon State placed them below .500. The Gators landed the nation’s No. 12 recruiting class for 2023, and they were able to reel in several talented pieces from the transfer portal. Success is coming for Napier, but Gator fans may need more patience.

After years of searching for the right man, Tennessee finally has him in Josh Heupel. Heupel led Tennessee to its first 10-win season since 2007. However, what’s more important to Tennessee fans is the fact he can beat Nick Saban and Alabama.

After winning 12 games in his lone season at Appalachian State in 2019, Drinkwitz has failed to lead Missouri to similar success. Missouri has appeared in two straight bowl games, but Drinkwitz is looking to lead his team to a winning record by seasons end. Can he do it in 2023?

Pittman has become a fan favorite in Fayetteville, and has had success on the recruiting trail that could translate to more wins in the future. After a disappointing 2022 season that resulted in just seven wins, can Pittman lead the Razorbacks to a nine-win season such as the one he accomplished in 2021?

Beamrer has led South Carolina to back-to-back winning seasons with two bowl appearances in as many seasons as head coach. How much of a climb can the Gamecocks make in Year 3 of the Beamer era?

Clark Lea begins his third season as the head coach of his alma mater. He made great strides in year two after he led the Commodores to five wins in 2022.

Arnett was given the task of taking over for the late Mike Leach for Mississippi State’s bowl game against Illinois. He will assume the position as head coach in 2023, where he is sure to build his resume.