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Tennessee football: Ranking all SEC coaches for 2020

By Caleb Calhoun

GAINESVILLE, FL- SEPTEMBER 21: Head coach Jeremy Pruitt of the Tennessee Volunteers looks on during the first half of the game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FL- SEPTEMBER 21: Head coach Jeremy Pruitt of the Tennessee Volunteers looks on during the first half of the game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images
Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images /

player. Pick Analysis. Mississippi State. 6. 1st year (19th overall). Mike Leach. 893. Scouting Report

Overall record: 139-90

Yes, the arrival of Mike Leach forced us to drop Mark Stoops one spot. Leach is an offensive genius who still would have been the best hire for Tennessee football two years ago, even if Jeremy Pruitt does work out in the long run. Him heading to Starkville, Miss. to replace Joe Moorhead should make things very exciting in the state of Mississippi.

Between Leach and Lane Kiffin, the two best personalities and arguably most entertaining offensive minds are in the Magnolia State. This should be epic to watch. During his nearly two decades as a head coach, Leach has turned lower-level programs in major conferences into borderline powerhouses, and he now has better athletes he can recruit.

Don’t forget that Leach had the Texas Tech Red Raiders one game away from competing for the national title in 2008, and he was a snowstorm-related loss from having the Washington State Cougars likely to reach the College Football Playoff in 2018. The guy works wonders with less-heralded talent and turns quarterbacks into superstars.

Given the fact that he succeeded as Hal Mumme’s offensive coordinator while coaching Tim Couch with the Kentucky Wildcats way back in the late 1990s, there’s no reason to believe that he won’t thrive with Mississippi State as well. He may need time to get his air raid going, but he’s bought that time, so he’ll be in the top half of this list for a while. It’s hard to see him not succeeding soon.

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