SEC’s top assistants could be moving on

The coaching carousel is in full swing. But outside of LSU, SEC coaches have survived.

However, that doesn’t mean SEC teams will be out of the news. Several assistant coaches are poised for big opportunities in the coming weeks. Last year, former Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart took over at Georgia. At midseason, defensive line coach Ed Orgeron was promoted to head coach at LSU.

Here are five SEC assistant coaches who could be considered for head coaching positions:

Lane Kiffin, Alabama offensive coordinator: Considering he’s already been linked to Houston and South Florida, it’s easy to say that Kiffin is the most likely candidate to move up. A former head coach with Tennessee, Southern Cal and the Oakland Raiders, Kiffin had to rehabilitate his image with a few years in Tuscaloosa. However, now might be the time to go.

Fans once again see Kiffin as the bright, young mind that made him an attractive option for previous jobs. His Crimson Tide teams implemented spread concepts and leaped to No. 26 in total offense. He fits the profile for many Group of Five jobs. However, he could also leave to take the offensive coordinator job at LSU.

Rhett Lashlee, Auburn offensive coordinator: Lashlee finally got Auburn’s offense back on track with competent quarterback play. The Tigers led the conference in rushing, and Lashlee was one of the reaons. He went from grad assistant at Auburn to offensive coordinator at Samford and then to Arkansas State and Auburn with Malzahn.

Lashlee, 33, has come up in rumors for jobs at Western Kentucky and Georgia State.

Andy Ludwig, Vanderbilt offensive coordinator: Who would have thought a Vanderbilt coach might get poached? However, After season-ending wins over Ole Miss and Tennessee, Ludwig has thrown himself into the conversation for a couple of Group of Five jobs. Fox Sports has reported he could be in play at Nevada. He has coached at Fresno State, Utah, Cal and San Diego State.

In the wins over Ole Miss and Tennessee, the Commodores combined for 83 points and 1,089 yards.

Jeremy Pruitt, Alabama defensive coordinator: It might be a year or two early for Pruitt, but Nick Saban’s coordinators eventually get hired somewhere else. Pruitt’s defense ranked No. 1 in total and scoring defense. The Crimson Tide also led the nation with 10 defensive touchdowns, three more than any other program.

Pruitt has earned a superb pedigree. Saban hired Pruitt, then a high school coach, as a defensive assistant on his first Alabama staff. Pruitt also was defensive coordinator under Jimbo Fisher at Florida State on a national championship team and then at Georgia under Mark Richt.

Geoff Collins, Florida defensive coordinator: Florida hasn’t been that consistent, but the defense has been strong. The personnel Will Muschamp left behind played a big part, but Collins turned the lineup into one of the best in college football.

Multiple reports link Collins to the opening at Florida Atlantic, which would allow him to take advantage of his recruiting ties.