TSN's Matt Hayes ranks the SEC coaches

[Black Diamond Vol]

Dooley is dead last, and at this point, I can't really argue with that.  But #5?  LMAO.

http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2012-05-08/college-football-coach-rankings-sec-nick-saban-les-miles-steve-spurrier-mark-ric

[ReVOLver]

I don't think Dooley is the worst coach on that list, but it's interesting to see what the perception is.

[Black Diamond Vol]

I don't think Dooley is the worst coach on that list, but it's interesting to see what the perception is.

Given a level playing field, I don't think he is either.  But for now, there's really no denying it.  You are what your record says you are.

Also, I think the UK loss hurts his perception very badly.  He hasn't beaten anyone he shouldn't have, but up until that last game, he hadn't lost one he shouldn't have, either.  Losing to UK gives the critics all the ammunition they need.  If he wants to fend off the adversity (and keep his job), he knows what he has to do this season.

[BigOrange Maniac]

I would probably disagree with quite a bit on that list. Although I do agree with you fellas - I don't think Dooley is the worst coach in the SEC, but based on results so far, that's pretty much expected.

My list would look like this:

1.) Nick Saban
2.) Everybody else

Okay, that was just for Bandit's benefit.   My real list would look like this:

1.) Nick Saban
2.) Les Miles
3.) Mark Richt
4.) Steve Spurrier
5.) Kevin Sumlin
6.) Hugh Freeze
7.) Gary Pinkel
8.) Dan Mullen
9.) James Franklin
10.) Gene Chizik
11.) Derek Dooley
12.) Will Muschamp
13.) Joker Phillips
14.) John L. Smith

[Black Diamond Vol]

Dooley's perception is also hurt by the 7 coaches leaving for seemingly lateral positions since the end of the season.  But there's more to that story than just the "rats jumping off the sinking ship".  All of those guys were offered the security of multiyear deals, and that's something that Hart was unwilling to match.  And frankly, I can see his reasoning- why invest that kind of time and money on a group that has gone 11-14 over two seasons? 

[RON]

UT was bad the last few years because of terrible recruiting from 2006 to 2009. Phil Fulmer's last 3 classes and Lane Kiffin's only class were busts.  The 2007 class was supposed to be great but Eric Berry was the only highly rated played that lived up to expectations. Over half of Kiffin's class is gone now. The main players producing for Derek Dooley are his recruits. I think he still needs a little more time. Dooley also had terrible luck with losing his best player(Justin Hunter) with an ALC injury last year and losing Bray for several games. With UT's roster and the bad luck you could have brought back Bear Bryant,Vince Lombardi and Bill Walsh from the dead and added Nick Saban or Bill Bellechek and UT still wouldn't have won a bunch of games.

[Stogie Vol]

you could have brought back Bear Bryant,Vince Lombardi and Bill Walsh from the dead and added Nick Saban or Bill Bellechek and UT still wouldn't have won a bunch of games.

But the General would've kicked ass!

[RON]

But the General would've kicked ass!

General did kick Bears butt.