🏈 Coaching Changes In The Sec West For 2015. I *think* I've Got Them All...do I?

[TerryP]

Every SEC west team has had a coaching change on the defensive side of the ball this spring. As you can see, some more radical than others.

I've started a list here and I think I'm still missing a name or two. These are what I could remember off the top of my head...

Who has improved? Remained the same? Downgrades, anyone?



Alabama:
Lance Thompson ---> Tosh Lupoi
Kevin Steele ---> Mel Tucker (Kirby Smart move.)

Auburn:
DC Ellis Johnson ---> Will Muschamp
Melvin Smith ---> Travaris Robinson
Charlie Harbinson ---> Lance Thompson

LSU:
DC John Chavis ---> Kevin Steele
Brick Haley ---> Ed Orgeron

Arkanasas:
Co-DC Randy Shannon ---> Vernon Hargreaves (Co-DC Robb Smith now DC)

Mississippi State:
DC Geoff Collins ---> Manny Diaz

Mississippi:
Tom Allen ---> Corey Batoon (Admin to on the field move.)

Texas A&M:
DC Mark Snyder ---> John Chavis

 

['65 Cobra]

Lance Thompson joined Auburn's coaching staff as Linebacker coach.

 

[TerryP]

Lance Thompson joined Auburn's coaching staff as Linebacker coach.

:doh2: ...perfect place for Afroman...

 

[UAgrad93]

Just looking at the list, @TerryP, you can probably go through each team and name which was an upgrade and which was a downgrade. For example, the Barners upgraded at DC. Probably stayed on par in the secondary hire and definitely downgraded at LB coach. At A&M, Chavis is considered an upgrade considering their defense allowed opponents to score at will like shit though a goose! I also think the bigger problem for both though. Is the HC is more concerned with scoring and thus neglects the defense. Their recruiting reflects it as well.
Some of these were upgrades as far as recruiting but downgrades as position coaches and vice versa. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out in the fall!

I think for BAMA, it was an upgrade all the way around. With Lupoi, we get a top notch recruiter and a young and firey position coach that knows his stuff. Kirby gets to move back to the LBs so he can speak and meet more with the guys that will be calling the defensive calls during the games. This will eliminate confusion.

 

[TerryP]

Just looking at the list, @TerryP, you can probably go through each team and name which was an upgrade and which was a downgrade...

...which is what I'm driving at with a comprehensive list of changes.

Right now, can't say push or win for Mississippi State going back to Diaz; that's a downgrade.

As I see it...losing a guy with Randy Shannon's experience at Arkansas is a pretty big hole to fill but probably won't be that big of a bump in the road in Fayetteville. The inside move of Batoon to an on-the field position at Ole Miss makes both of these schools changes a push.

Experience alone makes Chavis an upgrade for the Aggies.

 

[planomateo]

LOL Manny Diaz.

 

[psychojoe]

If you want to get a Texas fan all exercised, just mention the name of Manny Diaz.

 

[bama alum]

Where did Brick Haley wind up?

 

[TerryP]

Where did Brick Haley wind up?

Still on staff at LSU I believe...admin role of some sort.

 

[bama alum]

@TerryP, thanks!

 

[TerryP]

 

[planomateo]