SEC football 2023 preseason hot seat rankings: Zach Arnett safe for now

Jan 2, 2023; Tampa, FL, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Zach Arnett looks on from the sidelines during the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2023; Tampa, FL, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Zach Arnett looks on from the sidelines during the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
1 of 5

SEC football head coaches are no strangers to pressure. Expectations in this league are higher than in any other.

Since 2010, 25 full-time head coaches have been fired from SEC programs. Of the 19 coaches that have been hired and fired in the SEC since then, their average coaching tenure was just 4.2 seasons.

Alabama is the only program to not experience a coaching change within that timeframe, with Georgia being the only other program to have not made multiple coaching hires since 2010.

Needless to say, being a SEC HC is a high-stakes gig, and programs have shown a willingness to make moves quickly if their standards (no matter how unrealistic) aren’t being met.

Going into the 2023 season, let’s take a look at how much job security each SEC coach has.

Nick Saban head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide  (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Nick Saban head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide  (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

SEC football preseason hot seat rankings: Untouchable coaches

Nick Saban – Alabama

Alabama hasn’t played quite to their standard the past two years, and some are seriously beginning to question if the dynasty is nearing its end. But we’re still talking about the greatest coach in CFB history who’s brought the Tide seven national titles since 2009. Whenever he leaves Tuscaloosa, it’ll be his decision.

Kirby Smart – Georgia

Smart has led UGA to back-to-back championships and has his program poised to continue on this run of dominance. As Alabama looks to be fading, Smart’s Bulldogs may very well be taking over the sport.