SEC Head Coach Evaluation: Texas A&M’s Kevin Sumlin

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The majority of this evaluation was built around the hiring of John Chavis as defensive coordinator.  Not only does that move potentially lighten the Aggies’ schedule (LSU’s defenses under Chavis stifled A&M’s offenses), it gives Kevin Sumlin one of the top assistant coaches in the nation.  Chavis built dominant defenses at Tennessee and LSU.  With the current and incoming talent, there is no reason Chavis should not be able to accomplish the same at Texas A&M.

With that fact in mind, Sumlin gets the Southbound and Down thumbs up. Finally pursuing and landing an elite defensive coordinator should scare fans in the SEC West and around the country.  An above average defense with Manziel would have had the Aggies in title contention for two straight years.

While Sumlin may be a touch overrated, he has shown a penchant for finding the elite college quarterbacks he needs for his offense to run at a high level.  Add in his acumen for recruiting the talent-rich state of Texas and you have the recipe for a long and successful tenure for Kevin Sumlin at College Station.  If Chavis fails or leaves early, though, all bets are off.

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