Seems like interims way to go
SEC teams have had plenty of interim football coaches since the conference expanded in 1992, but never has there been a season like this one for short-term change at the top.
There were 14 SEC interim coaches from 1992 through 2016 at nine different schools — including twice for Joe Kines — but never more than two in the same season.
The SEC has outdone itself this season with three interim coaches in Matt Luke at Ole Miss, Randy Shannon at Florida and Brady Hoke at Tennessee to bring the total to 17 since 1992.
Even by the SEC’s pressure-cooker standards, three interim coaches in the same season seems a bit excessive.
Then again, “It Just Means More” is the SEC’s official slogan.
“You have those expectations,” said LSU Coach Ed Orgeron, who replaced Les Miles on an interim basis for the final eight games last season and was retained as as the Tigers’ coach. “You know that coming into it. You’re supposed to win.
“You’re given all the tools in the SEC to win. It’s a tough conference.
“That’s why every day is so important and every game is so important. Every minute is so valuable.”
Orgeron is among eight of the SEC’s 17 interim coaches since 1992 to have Arkansas ties. He was a graduate assistant strength coach for the Razorbacks in 1986 and 1987.
Kines was the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville’s interim coach during the final 10 games of the 1992 season after Jack Crowe was fired and served as Alabama’s interim coach for the 2006 Independence Bowl between Mike Shula’s firing and Nick Saban’s hiring.
Joe Lee Dunn, Ole Miss’ interim coach in 1994, replaced Kines as Arkansas’ defensive coordinator in 1995 before moving on to Mississippi State.
Charlie Strong, a Batesville native who played at the University of Central Arkansas, was Florida’s interim coach for the 2004 Peach Bowl after Ron Zook was fired.
Reggie Herring was promoted from defensive coordinator to interim coach for the Razorbacks for the Cotton Bowl to cap the 2007 season after Houston Nutt resigned under pressure.
John L. Smith served as Arkansas’ interim coach for the entire 2012 season after Bobby Petrino’s firing and Jim Chaney — the Razorbacks’ offensive coordinator in 2013 and 2014 — took over as Tennessee’s interim coach for the final game in 2012 after Derek Dooley was fired.
Shannon was Arkansas’ linebackers coach in 2013 and 2014 before going to Florida to be the linebackers coach. He was promoted to defensive coordinator this season, then became interim coach after Jim McElwain’s firing.