There’s been a seismic change in the Southeastern Conference coaching landscape. Six programs have new head coaches in 2026. One coach held three programs hostage for a month while he decided which school to work for. The offseason upheaval has also changed the hierarchy of coaches salaries in the SEC.
The biggest coaching change involved Lane Kiffin. Kiffin has revived the entire Ole Miss program over the past several years. The controversial coach was the top choice of two “bigger” programs in Florida and LSU. The drama lasted weeks as Kiffin milked every minute before finally landing in Baton Rouge becoming the second highest paid coach in the conference.
Ole Miss then promoted Pete Golding, who led the Rebels to the college football playoff semifinals. The Gators “settled” for Jon Sumrall, who took Tulane to historic heights in 2025. Auburn, Arkansas and Kentucky also changed head coaches in the past few months.
The entire offseason has shaken up the salary rankings:
Comment: Lea took over the Commodores in 2021 and has turned Vandy into a legitimate threat. His Vanderbilt teams have been some of the best in school history.
Comment: Lebby his entering his third season in Starkville and will need to win more to keep his job. The Bulldogs have a grand total of one conference win under Lebby.
Comment: Stein showed off his keen offensive mind as the offensive coordinator at Oregon for the past two seasons. He replaces Mike Stoops with the hopes of raising the Wildcats out of the bottom half of the SEC.
Comment: Silverfield took over for Mike Norvell at Memphis in 2020 after Norvell left for Gainesville. The Tigers shocking win over the Razorbacks in September turned out to be a great job interview.
Comment: After a break out 9-3 season at South Florida, Golesh was a hot name in the coaching carousel with Arkansas reportedly very interested. Instead he signed a six-year deal at Auburn.
Comment: Golding took over the Rebels when Lane Kiffin left for LSU and guided Ole Miss to the CFP semifinals in the Fiesta Bowl. He was made the permanent head coach soon after.
Comment: Hired to replace Billy Napier, Sumrall comes from Tulane fresh off a college football playoff appearance. That’s right, he got the Green Wave into the CFP.
Comment: Beamer has made the Gamecocks a respectable threat in the toughest conference in America. At South Carolina since 2021, it looks like he will in Columbia long term.
Comment: The Sooners were much better under Venables in 2025 than the year before. OU made the playoffs and any talk of Oklahoma moving on from him has been quashed.
Comment: The former OU QB has had a roller coaster ride in Knoxville. The Vols have flashed greatness in his tenure. But there have also been a lot of stumbles.
Comment: Drinkwitz has been at Mizzou since 2020 and has built the Tigers into a respectable middle of the pack SEC team.
Comment: DeBoer left Washington to replace legendary coach Nick Saban in Tuscaloosa. Many ‘Bama fans are already clamoring for a change.
Comment: Elko signed a new 6-year, $69 million contract extension in February 2026, running through the 2031 season.
Comment: Sarkisian’s main barrier to breaking through to the absolute top of the salary level is a national championship. If Sark wins a title, he will probably end up the highest paid coach in college football.
Comment: Kiffin strung three fanbases along (Ole Miss, LSU and Florida) as he made his decision on where he wanted to coach this offseason. LSU’s money and resources won the day for the Tigers.
Comment: Smart has been head coach at his alma mater since 2016, winning two national championships in Athens since. He is the highest paid coach in America.
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