Who Will be the First Head Coach Fired in the SEC?
In late August, BetOnline opened a prop bet on which SEC head football coach will be the first to resign or be fired in 2017. The cutoff date for the prop bet is the SEC Championship Game, and the prop bet does not include Ole Miss interim HC Matt Luke since its not a permanent position yet. We’ll be updating as odds are available.
| Head Coach | Oct 3 | Sep 26 | Sep 17 | Sep 13 | Aug 31 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butch Jones (TENN) | -500 | +120 | +150 | +175 | +140 |
| Kevin Sumlin (TEX A&M) | +450 | +175 | +275 | +175 | +140 |
| Ed Orgeron (LSU) | +1000 | +1000 | +700 | +1400 | +800 |
| Barry Odom (MIZZ) | +1200 | +700 | +700 | +1000 | +1200 |
| Derek Mason (VAN) | +1600 | +2000 | +2500 | +1400 | +1200 |
| Will Muschamp (SO CAR) | +1600 | +1400 | +1400 | +2500 | +2000 |
| Dan Mullen (MISS ST) | +1600 | +1600 | +2000 | +2500 | +2500 |
| Gus Malzahn (AUB) | +2000 | +800 | +600 | +450 | +600 |
| Mark Stoops (UK) | +2000 | +1400 | +1400 | +1000 | +1200 |
| Jim McElwain (FLA) | +2500 | +2000 | +1600 | +1000 | +4000 |
| Bret Bielema (ARK) | +2500 | +1000 | +1200 | +1200 | +1600 |
| Kirby Smart (UGA) | +25000 | +15000 | +12500 | +10000 | +5000 |
| Nick Saban (BAMA) | +25000 | +25000 | +25000 | +25000 | +5000 |
October 3 update
Butch Jones and Tennessee made a statement last week at home against Georgia, but it wasn’t a good one. The Vols got trounced 41-0 which puts Jones at -500 to be first coach fired. Ed Orgeron and LSU had an ugly week too, losing to Troy at home, yet his odds remain at +1000. The school would need to eat a lot of money, which isn’t ideal. Texas A&M kept their winning ways which makes Kevin Sumlin’s job a little safer at +450.
September 26 update
After Tennessee barely squeaked by UMass at home 17-13 on Saturday, Butch Jones is now at +120. Texas A&M actually had a decent win 50-43 over Arkansas but Kevin Sumlin is down to +175. Missouri got crushed at home again, 51-14 to Auburn, leaving Barry Odom at +700 by himself. Tennessee and Texas A&M both play their next two games at home while Missouri is on the road for two straight.
September 17 update
Butch Jones is now the favorite by himself at +150 after Tennessee lost on the final play 26-20 at Florida. Missouri’s Barry Odom continues to drop, now at +700 after a humiliating home loss to Purdue. I liked him before the season at +1200 and he’s clearly in a bit of trouble. Kirby Smart and Nick Saban continue to be the only coaches without a worry at all.
September 13 update
Florida HC Jim McElwain has made a big leap from +4000 to +1000 following the Gators opening game loss to Michigan amid continued disciplinary issues for a number of players. Kevin Sumlin and Butch Jones remain the co-favorites but odds have moved up a bit.
Below was written August 31
I was a little surprised to see Butch Jones as the +140 co-favorite since he’s done a pretty good job getting Tennessee back as a big-time program. They’ve won 9 games in back-to-back years and have won three consecutive bowl games. At +140 I don’t love Kevin Sumlin either, as he has a guaranteed contract for the next three seasons.
Bret Bielma is intriguing at +1600 odds but he’s also got a contract through 2020 and a huge buyout clause for 2017 and 2018.
If there’s one guy to possibly make a bet on, it’s Missouri’s Barry Odom. Even though he’s only been at Missouri for 1 season (4-8 record), he’s got the lowest salary among active SEC head coaches and the Tigers haven’t been the most stable football program lately. The school may be patient with the former alum, but at +1200, he looks to be the only option providing some value at this point.
Do you think any of these coaches has value to be the first fired/resign? Leave your thoughts and comments in the space below.
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