What SEC Coach Didn't Vote For Tim Tebow?

The Pre-Season All SEC Coaches Team was announced on Thursday. There were really no surprises in who was on the first teams. No argument really for the first team on offense or defense. I was also not surprised that the Florida Gators lead the SEC with most players voted on first, second, and third teams. Also, no surprises here by the fact that the Gators had eight player on the first team...that included offense, defense, and special teams.

There were also three players who were unanimously voted on to the first teams. Those players were LSU OL Ciron Black, Alabama WR Julio Jones, and Tennessee's DB Eric Berry.

Now we in the SEC as fans know that coaches can't vote for their own players. That's no surprise to any of us. But, the bombshell of the Summer I think was why was Tim Tebow not unanimously voted in.

I don't know of any player in College Football in recent years who have made an impact on the game as Tebow has.Like him or not the results since he has been there are indisputable.  

So, who slighted him? Who decided to take him and the Gators on and say that he is not hands down the best QB in the SEC pre-season prediction or not.

I thought I would take a hard look at each coach in the SEC and put my own spin on who would not vote Tebow and why:

Mark Richt, Georgia 

As heated as this rival still is I don't see Coach Richt choosing someone other than Tebow for spite. No matter if there were timeout at the end of last years game or not. But, you must admit he does have motive.

Dan Mullen, Mississippi State 

Just two words here....no way. Tebow is part of the reason that he is now in the role of a head coach at Mississippi State.

Steve Spurrier, South Carolina 

I don't see him either. He seems to be appreciative of Tebow's ability. He has been quoted as saying, " he wish Stephen Garcia had the work ethic of a Tim Tebow." I also thinks he will always have a little orange and blue running through his veins. After Tebow's performance in the SECG and the NCG Spurrier also stated that "Tebow is the best third down college QB he has ever seen."

Houston Nutt, Ole Miss 

During the SEC Coaches Meetings in Destin, Florida last month Coach Nutt said he has used Tebow's infamous speech as a motivational tool for his own players. He has said that "he was very impressed with Tebow's commitment after such a devastating and unexpected loss." Now this could all be an SEC smokescreen but, I am inclined to believe. I would predict a no here too.

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Bobby Johnson, Vanderbilt

Unless Coach Johnson is just tired of losing to the Gators and thought this would be one subtle way to mess with program I don't see him being in the mix either with a descendant vote.  

Rich Brooks, Kentucky

After that shellacking by the Gators last to the tune of 63-5 in 2008 I wouldn't say Coach Brooks. I would think he would have a Coaches appreciation for the total dominance by the Gators. But, let's just say he would have a reason as immature a reason as it would be."

Nick Saban, Alabama

I am not a Saban fan nor a Bama fan. But, you must give Coach Saban credit for doing what Coach Shula couldn't do. All that being said, Saban seems to be appreciate good football and good football players. And, even though there are rumors that Coach Meyer helped the Utah Utes scout the Tide before last years Sugar Bowl. I don't think that would be Saban's style.

Gene Chizik, Auburn

Okay, I will try not to sound cynical here. I don't think Chizik knows enough about anything let alone coaching. To go 5-19 in the Big 12 and still land a premier head coaching job in the SEC is ridiculous. Even if he didn't vote for Tebow I wouldn't care.I don't even care that he is a fellow Florida Grad. 

And, I am sure this could be a subject for another article. But, how Chizik would get a serious look and Charlie Strong not even get a phone call is beyond me. So again, this is my I don't care guy here.

Bobby Petrino, Arkansas

Considering Petrino's success as offensive coach with Louisville and his success in developing productive QBs I would consider who he voted for creditable. Do I believe that he was the descendant vote against Tebow? I don't think so. I thought Arkansas held it's own against Florida for the first half of the game so I don't see any true motivation. Maybe I should take the opposite stance though. Maybe because they were not blown out last year by the Gators maybe Coach Petrino thinks Tebow is not all world....or at least Pre-Season All SEC.

Les Miles, LSU

Now here is an interesting Coach. In Death Valley, Coach Miles embarrassed the Florida Gators, the program, and our defense. But, that was 2007. In 2008 at the "Swamp" the game got of hand early and Tebow was a main reason we hung fifty-six points on Miles defense. I would venture to say though that he would see Tebow as a unanimous choice.

Lane Kiffin, Tennessee

Yes, I save Kiffin last for a reason. I would bet my new motorcycle on this one. There is no way that Coach Kiffin or anyone from his staff is going to shine any positive light on the Florida Program Tebow or not. I think this was a chance for Kiffin to show that not everyone thinks that Tebow is indeed Superman. That he indeed is not a unanimous choice in the Volunteer state. This rival is officially renewed. I give Coach Kiffin enough credit for that. I just hope that his players and staff can back all of this up.

And, I don't know if the Volunteers have heard of the new paraphernalia in the Heavener Complex. Paraphernalia that indicates the importance of September 19th but, that would probably be enough motivation by Kiffin to continue to put gas on this fire.

Here is the list in case anyone missed it:

 

2009 SEC COACHES PRE-SEASON ALL-SEC FOOTBALL TEAM

Pos.	Name, School	Ht.	Wt.	Class	Hometown
First-Team Offense
TE	DJ Willams, Arkansas	6-2	251	jr.	Little Rock. Arkansas
*OL	Ciron Black, LSU	6-5	325	Sr.	Tyler, Texas
OL	Mike Johnson, Alabama	6-6	305	Sr.	Pensacola, Fla.
OL	Mike Pouncey, Florida	6-5	312	Jr.	Lakeland, Fla.
OL	John Jerry, Ole Miss	6-5	350	Sr.	Batesville, Miss.
C	Maurkice Pouncey, Florida	6-5	312	Jr.	Lakeland, Fla.
*WR	Julio Jones, Alabama	6-4	210	So.	Foley, Ala.
WR	A.J. Green, Georgia	6-4	207	So.	Summerville, S.C.
QB	Tim Tebow, Florida	6-3	240	Sr.	Jacksonville, Fla.
RB	Michael Smith, Arkansas	5-7	176	Sr.	Tallahassee, Fla.
RB	Charles Scott, LSU	5-11	233	Sr.	Saline, La.
Second-Team Offense
TE	RIchard Dickson, LSU	6-3	246	Sr.	Ocean Springs, Miss.
OL	Lee Ziemba, Auburn	6-8	285	Jr.	Rogers, Ark.
OL	Clint Boling, Georgia	6-5	297	Jr.	Alpharetta, Ga.
#OL	Chris Scott, Tennessee	6-5	346	Sr.	Riverdale, Ga.
#OL	Carl Johnson, Florida	6-6	330	Jr.	Durham, N.C.
#OL	Cordy Glenn, Georgia	6-5	331	So.	Riverdale, Ga.
C	Josh McNeil, Tennessee	6-4	280	Sr.	Collins, Miss.
WR	Brandon LaFell, LSU	6-3	209	Sr.	Houston, Texas
WR	Dexter McCluster, Ole Miss	5-8	165	Sr.	Largo, Fla.
QB	Jevan Snead, Ole Miss	6-3	215	Jr.	Stephenville, Texas
RB	Anthony Dixon, Mississippi State	6-1	235	Sr.	Jackson, Miss.
RB	Jeff Demps, Florida	5-8	176	So.	Winter Garden, Fla.
Third-Team Offense
TE	Aaron Hernandez, Florida	6-3	255	Jr.	Bristol, Conn.
OL	Jacques McClendon, Tennessee	6-3	324	Sr.	Cleveland, Tenn.
OL	Zipp Duncan, Kentucky	6-5	291	Sr.	Magnolia, Ky.
OL	Mitch Petrus, Arkansas	6-4	315	Sr.	Carlisle, Ark.
OL	Trinton Sturdivant, Georgia	6-5	306	So.	Wadesboro, N.C.
C	Jorge Gonzalez, Kentucky	6-3	300	Sr.	Tampa, Fla.
WR	Shay Hodge, Ole Miss	6-1	207	Sr.	Morton, Miss.
#WR	Terrance Tolliver, LSU	6-5	194	Jr.	Hempstead, Texas
#WR	Gerald Jones, Tennessee	6-0	199	Jr.	Oklahoma City, Okla.
#QB	Stephen Garcia, South Carolina	6-2	219	So.	Lutz, Fla.
#QB	Mike Hartline, Kentucky	6-6	206	Jr.	Canton, Ohio
RB	Mark Ingram, Alabama	5-10	215	So.	Flint, Mich.
RB	Ben Tate, Auburn	5-11	216	Sr.	Newark, Md.
First-Team Defense
DL	Terrence Cody, Alabama	6-5	365	Sr.	Fort Myers, Fla.
DL	Greg Hardy, Ole Miss	6-4	265	Sr.	Millington, Tenn.
DL	Carlos Dunlap, Florida	6-6	290	Jr.	North Charleston, S.C.
LB	Rolando McClain, Alabama	6-4	249	Jr.	Decatur, Ala.
LB	Brandon Spikes, Florida	6-3	245	Sr.	Shelby, N.C.
LB	Rennie Curran, Georgia	5-11	222	Jr.	Snellville, Ga.
LB	Eric Norwood, South Carolina	6-1	252	Sr.	Acworth, Ga.
*DB	Eric Berry, Tennessee	5-11	203	Jr.	Fairburn, Ga.
DB	Javier Arenas, Alabama	5-9	198	Sr.	Tampa, Fla.
DB	Trevard Lindley, Kentucky	6-0	179	Sr.	Hiram, Ga.
DB	Joe Haden, Florida	5-11	185	Jr.	Ft. Washington, Md.
Second-Team Defense
DL	Charles Alexander, LSU	6-3	310	Sr.	Breaux Bridge, La.
DL	Antonio Coleman, Auburn	6-3	250	Sr.	Mobile, Ala.
#DL	Geno Atkins, Georgia	6-1	290	Sr.	Pembroke Pines, Fla.
#DL	Dan Williams, Tennessee	6-3	327	Sr.	Memphis, Tenn.
#DL	Malcolm Sheppard, Arkansas	6-2	280	Sr.	Bainbridge, Ga.
LB	Micah Johnson, Kentucky	6-2	258	Sr.	Ft. Campbell, Ky.
LB	Patrick Benoist, Vanderbilt	6-0	224	Sr.	Southlake, Texas
LB	Rico McCoy, Tennessee	6-1	220	Sr.	Washington, D.C.
LB	Dont'a Hightower, Alabama	6-4	250	So.	Lewisburg, Tenn.
DB	Ahmad Black, Florida	5-9	190	Jr.	Lakeland, Fla.
DB	Chad Jones, LSU	6-3	214	Jr.	New Orleans, La.
DB	Prince Miller, Georgia	5-8	198	Sr.	Duncan, S.C.
DB	Myron Lewis, Vanderbilt	6-2	205	Sr.	Pompano Beach, Fla.
Third-Team Defense
DL	Jeff Owens, Georgia	6-3	300	Sr.	Sunrise, Fla.
DL	Marcus Tillman, Ole Miss	6-4	260	Sr.	McCall Creek, Miss.
#DL	Rahim Alem, LSU	6-3	254	Sr.	New Orleans, La.
#DL	Corey Peters, Kentucky	6-3	295	Sr.	Louisville, Ky.
LB	Chris Marve, Vanderbilt	6-0	228	So.	Memphis, Tenn.
LB	Jamar Chaney, Mississippi State	6-1	245	Sr.	Fort Pierce, Fla.
LB	Ryan Stamper, Florida	6-2	232	Sr.	Jacksonville, Fla.
LB	Perry Riley, LSU	6-1	240	Sr.	Ellenwood, Ga.
DB	Major Wright, Florida	6-0	200	Jr.	Miramar, Fla.
DB	Janoris Jenkins, Florida	5-10	185	So.	Pahokee, Fla.
#DB	Ryan Hamilton, Vanderbilt	6-2	210	Sr.	Wycombe, Penn.
#DB	Chris Culliver, South Carolina	6-0	190	Jr.	Garner, N.C.
#DB	Reshad Jones, Georgia	6-2	214	Jr.	Atlanta, Ga.
First-Team Specialists
PK	Leigh Tiffin, Alabama	6-1	199	Sr.	Muscle Shoals, Ala.
P	Chas Henry, Florida	6-4	215	Jr.	Dallas, Ga.
RS	Brandon James, Florida	5-7	186	Sr.	St. Augustine, Fla.
Second-Team Specialists
PK	Jonathan Phillips, Florida	5-10	210	Sr.	Wellington, Fla.
P	Brett Upson, Vanderbilt	5-11	185	Sr.	Griffin, Ga.
RS	Javier Arenas, Alabama	5-9	198	Sr.	Tampa, Fla.
Third-Team Specialists
PK	Joshua Shene, Ole Miss	5-8	170	Sr.	Oklahoma City, Okla.
P	Spencer Lanning, South Carolina	5-11	188	Jr.	Rock Hill, S.C.
RS	Trindon Holliday, LSU	5-5	165	Sr.	Zachary, La.