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SEC: Is This The Most Balanced Coaching Conference?

By DJoumbarey A. Moreau

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari (right) sits with Karl-Anthony Towns (left) before the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari (right) sits with Karl-Anthony Towns (left) before the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Answer this question, from the bottom to the top who’s got the best coaches in a single conference? 

Without any question it’s probably the Atlantic Coast Conference and the competition isn’t close. 

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With legends in the ACC such as Rick Pitino, Roy Williams, Mike Krzyzewski and Jim Boeheim it’s hard to argue that any group of coaches can compare. With a combined 10 national championships and as many NBA players as the stars in the sky that quartet of creates the best four man coaching group in college basketball. 

For as great as the cream of the crop is in the ACC, the lower half isn’t nearly as good as their contemporaries. One conference this offseason that has started to create balance with their coaches is none other than the Southeastern conference.

Even with losing the beloved Billy Donovan from the University of Florida to the Oklahoma City Thunder someone can argue that the overall landscape of the SEC coaches has gotten much better.

We all know who the known coaching commodities within the conference are. The usual suspects, John Calipari, Mark Fox, Andy Kennedy and Frank Martin are always in the thick of things during the season. They each coach teams that compete at a high level and that always pull off big upsets. All of these coaches are very intelligent and understand how to coach up their talent.

They get their children to play at a level that casual fans wouldn’t expect even when they aren’t given the most talented kids.

Mar 15, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari during the press conference after his team defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks in the SEC Conference Championship game at Bridgestone Arena. Kentucky won 78-63. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari during the press conference after his team defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks in the SEC Conference Championship game at Bridgestone Arena. Kentucky won 78-63. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /

On another note: Yes, that last sentence also includes John Calipari. Look at his former players from the 2005-06 Memphis Tigers team and see how many of them are still playing in the NBA. He understands how to work with less talent and make them play better. 

Even with all of the seasoned coaches that were already in the SEC, the conference’s worst programs have gotten big face lifts. At Auburn they were struggling to make a significant impact in basketball. They haven’t had a star player since Charles Barkley went to the league. Now that they have Bruce Pearl as captain of their ship they’ll be able to bring in high level recruits.

Pearl like Calipari is a wonderful recruiter and brings in talent that will play in the NBA. In his 2015 class he’s already reloaded by bringing in two four star recruits in Horace Spencer and Danjel Purifoy. 

In addition to Auburn, Mississippi State now has the second best recruiter in the conference with Ben Howland. In his short time Howland brought Malik Newman, who’s going to create a bunch of memorable moments for the program. Howland’s coached in multiple final fours, and he’s always had success at every program he’s coached at. 

Moreover, Tennessee also managed to snag up Rick Barnes. Even though Barnes might have underachieved at Texas, he still managed to consistently get to the NCAA tournament. It doesn’t hurt that on his resume he also coached Kevin Durant, LaMarcus Aldridge, Tristan Thompson, T.J. Ford, and D.J. Augustin.

What’s even more insane is that we haven’t even gotten to Alabama yet. The Crimson Tide brought in a coach with NBA experience in Avery Johnson who took the Dallas Mavericks to the 2006 NBA finals. Johnson has no collegiate experience but that’s going to change. What’s also going to change is their program not making the NCAA tournament.

Johnson possess one of the most intelligent basketball minds and will put Alabama in the right direction.

You know the times have changed when you can say that Alabama’s head coach is more accomplished, better and more seasoned than the Florida Gators head coach. 

Florida’s new coach, Michael White, has very big shoes to fill. Something tells me though that he’s going to create yet another dynasty at Florida in a short period of time. White’s been able to been able to have success at Louisiana Tech and he’s only 38-years-old. Florida’s in good hands.

Could this be the most balanced coaching in any program? It’s starting to look like it.

Next: Mississippi State: How Long For Ben Howland To Create A Powerhouse?

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