Three Group of Five Coaches Are Jumping Into the SEC Fire - Here’s Who Looks Most Ready for the Heat
As the SEC barrels toward 2026, it’s not the usual suspects making headlines. Instead, three new head coaches are stepping into the league - all straight from Group of Five programs, and all looking to prove they belong in college football’s toughest neighborhood. None have coached a down in the SEC yet, but early signs - from résumé strength to cultural fit to fan buzz - give us a pretty good sense of who’s best positioned to make noise in Year 1.
This isn’t about roster talent or projected win totals. It’s about fit, identity, and the early momentum these hires are bringing with them. Let’s break it down.
1. Alex Golesh - Auburn
If there’s one fanbase that’s genuinely fired up about its new coach, it’s Auburn. And that’s saying something for a program that’s seen its fair share of coaching drama.
Golesh was widely expected to land at Arkansas before flipping to the Tigers in a late twist that caught just about everyone off guard. That SEC-to-SEC pivot added some serious spice to the storyline - and Auburn fans are loving it.
Golesh comes in with a 23-15 record from USF, including a 9-3 mark this season - the Bulls’ best since 2017. But it’s not just the wins that have Auburn fans buzzing.
It’s the style. Golesh is a disciple of Josh Heupel’s high-octane offense, the kind that turned Tennessee into a scoring machine.
And Auburn, frankly, hasn’t looked electric on offense since the Gus Malzahn days.
Now, with Auburn’s deep resources and a portal-friendly roster, Golesh has the tools to hit the ground running. Whether that means convincing touted freshman QB Deuce Knight to stay committed, bringing USF standout Byrum Brown with him, or shopping the portal for another option, he’s got options. Offensively, the Tigers could be dangerous fast.
The big question is defense. High-tempo offenses can leave defenses gasping, but retaining DJ Durkin as defensive coordinator was a smart move. Durkin helped Auburn field a tough, reliable unit this season, and his presence gives Golesh a stabilizing force on that side of the ball.
Why he’s No. 1:
Golesh brings an instant identity, energizes the fanbase, and walks into one of the most portal-ready situations in the conference. It’s a bold hire with real boom-or-bust potential - but the ceiling is high.
2. Jon Sumrall - Florida
Jon Sumrall has the résumé. The results.
The pedigree. But the fan reaction?
Let’s just say it’s been… muted.
Part of that is circumstantial. Florida fans were dreaming big - Lane Kiffin big - and when that didn’t happen, Sumrall felt like a step down. But take a step back and look at the numbers, and it’s clear why Florida made the move.
Sumrall has racked up two conference titles in four years, never dipped below nine wins, and boasts a 28-4 conference record. His teams play physical, disciplined football, and his defensive background fits the grind of SEC play.
But here’s where it gets tricky: the comparisons to Billy Napier are hard to ignore.
- Napier: 40-12 overall | Sumrall: 42-11
- Napier: 27-5 in conference | Sumrall: 28-4
- Napier: 16-3 in one-score games | Sumrall: 15-3
- Napier’s offense (pre-UF): 50th nationally | Sumrall’s: 53rd
That’s a little too familiar for a fanbase still licking its wounds from the Napier era. And that’s why the reaction has been cautious.
Still, Sumrall brings a different energy. He’s more intense, more direct, and leans harder on his defensive roots.
Florida under Sumrall won’t be soft - that much is certain. The real question is whether he can generate the kind of offensive firepower needed to survive in today’s SEC, where even the defensive-minded teams have to light up the scoreboard.
Why he’s No. 2:
The track record is rock solid, but the lack of fan buzz and offensive question marks keep him just behind Golesh.
3. Ryan Silverfield - Arkansas
Arkansas swung for Alex Golesh and missed. But in Ryan Silverfield, they landed a steady hand with a strong background in roster building - and that might be exactly what the Razorbacks need right now.
Silverfield kept Memphis competitive in the post-Mike Norvell era, and his ability to attract talent is undeniable. He’s an elite recruiter, aggressive in the transfer portal, and understands how to build a team quickly.
Just look at the numbers: 31 transfers in 2024, 40 in 2025. That’s not just activity - that’s overhaul.
And Arkansas needs exactly that. The roster needs a reset, and Silverfield’s ability to reshape a team on the fly is his biggest asset.
But here’s the concern: Memphis never made the AAC Championship Game under his watch, and his record against strong competition raises eyebrows.
- 12-20 vs. teams above .500
- 3-12 on the road vs. winning teams
That’s not the kind of profile that screams “ready for Alabama, LSU, Texas, and Oklahoma.” The SEC is a different beast, and Silverfield hasn’t yet shown he can elevate a program from solid to elite.
Still, his offensive mindset, developmental chops, and portal savvy could give Arkansas a much-needed jolt - especially if he finds the right quarterback to build around.
Why he’s No. 3:
He brings stability and knows how to rebuild a roster, but he hasn’t proven he can take a team from good to great - and that’s what it takes to thrive in the SEC.
Final Thoughts
Three Group of Five coaches. Three very different paths. But each brings something unique to the SEC table:
- Golesh is the offensive innovator who could light up the Plains in a hurry.
- Sumrall is the gritty winner with a championship résumé and a no-nonsense approach.
- Silverfield is the builder, the recruiter, the guy who knows how to stack talent fast.
The SEC never lacks drama, but 2026 is shaping up to be especially intriguing. With three new faces trying to carve out their place in the nation’s most cutthroat conference, expect fireworks - and maybe a surprise or two along the way.