Three Weeks Into the Season, Three SEC Coaches Fairing Differently

Three new coaches came into the SEC last year and all three inherited teams that didn't make a bowl game and generally had a worse than expected year.

With three of the first 12 games gone in the regular season, I guess if would be fair to give each a first quarter score or grade.

Gene Chizik

He inherited an offensive mess and a defense that didn't play up to usual. He had quarterback controversies and recruiting that wasn't all that great to boot.

Of the three, he was perhaps the most surprising pick. He was the actually booed by some of the Auburn faithful at first, but now even the most wary skeptic is willing to give him a chance.

He has worked hard, kept out of controversy, kept the players out of trouble for the most part and landed a few good recruits. The players have come around and the team seems ready to take on anyone.

But the thing Chizik has done best is win. Sitting at three and zero with a nice win over a usual national power, West Virginia, and an improving Mississippi State, Chizik seems to clearly be the top of class of three so far this year.

First quarter grade - A.

Dan Mullen

May have inherited the the boat with the most holes in it. Few quality athletes in skill positions due to bad recruiting, a non existent offense but a pretty good defense, although not very deep.

He has come to Starkville and inspired the team, energized the fan base and seems to have solid support from top to bottom. Most feel that while he may not build a championship team there, he will make the competitive and get the back in the bowl hunt.

Of the three he was perhaps the least surprising pick. His work as a top offensive coordinator at a national championship school certainly made him a cherry ripe for the picking.

Like Chizik, he has worked hard, kept out of controversy, kept the players out of trouble for the most part and at least got recruits looking over their shoulder at the Bulldogs.

And where is record is 2-1 with only a loss to an Auburn team we just discussed, one has to look at the production he's gotten out of the offense. He seems to have already turned the corner on making them a threat to score and score often in every game. Maybe there won't be anymore 3-2 losses like the one against Auburn last year.

Grade - B+.

Lane Kiffin

Barring his pro coaching stint, this was not a surprising hire for a team that wanted a coach with an offensive mind. In inheriting a team with lots of nationally ranked talent like Eric Berry and the nation's number five defense, Kiffin was hired to mentor an ailing QB problem and energize the offense as well as return Tennessee to the top in recruiting.

The offense looks just as bad as last years if not worse. Losing by wider margin against UCLA, who they were expected to beat, and only scoring one touchdown in each of their last two games means that Kiffin has failed miserably to deliver on revitalizing the offense.

However, landing what was arguably the nation's best recruit in Bryce Brown as well as others, will land Kiffin a top five class unless there's a major fall off that's not expected. He has succeeded in that respect as well as the Vols could have hoped for.

Like the two above mentioned coaches, Kiffin has worked hard, kept the players out of trouble and no one could argue that he hasn't generated some great recruits. Unlike the others, he came into the "Gentlemen's Club" of the SEC not only creating controversy, but thriving on it.

Two early clubbings, one expected and one not has certainly mellowed his outbursts.

Grade - C.

Keep in mind this is only the first quarter and head to head match ups, player problems, wins and losses can all change the final grade.