Florida’s Resume Deserves More Respect in SEC Coaching Job Rankings
When it comes to men’s basketball coaching jobs in the SEC, Kentucky still wears the crown-and it’s not particularly close. In a recent anonymous poll of SEC coaches conducted by The Field of 68, Kentucky was the unanimous pick for the top job in the league.
No surprise there. With eight national championships, 17 Final Four appearances, and a fan base that lives and breathes hoops, the Wildcats are the gold standard in the conference.
But it’s what came after Kentucky in the rankings that raised some eyebrows. The rest of the top five, according to the poll: 2.
Texas, 3. Arkansas, 4.
Tennessee, 5. Florida.
That’s where things get murky.
Let’s be clear: Florida at No. 5 doesn’t just feel low-it is low. Based strictly on 21st-century success, the Gators have a strong case as the second-best men’s basketball program in the SEC. In fact, they’re one of the few programs in the country that can even enter the same room as Kentucky when it comes to recent accomplishments.
Since 2000, Florida has reached five Final Fours and won three national championships (2006, 2007, 2025). That’s more titles in that span than Kentucky.
And they’ve done it under multiple coaches-Billy Donovan, Todd Golden, and even Lon Kruger back in 1994 laid the foundation. That kind of multi-era success speaks volumes about the strength of the program, the resources, and the ability to attract top-tier coaching talent.
So why the low ranking?
The allure of Texas is understandable. The Longhorns have resources for days, a massive athletics budget, and a recruiting base that’s as deep as any in the country. Just ask Kentucky fans how much elite talent has come out of the Lone Star State during the John Calipari era-Julius Randle, De’Aaron Fox, Tyrese Maxey, and Cason Wallace, to name a few.
But here’s the thing: Texas has never consistently cashed in on that potential. The program has just three Final Four appearances-two of which came before the NBA even had a shot clock (1943 and 1947), and the most recent in 2003.
That’s a long drought for a school with so much going for it. The infrastructure is there, but the results haven’t followed.
Arkansas, meanwhile, has a proud basketball tradition. The Razorbacks have six Final Fours and a national title from 1994, when Corliss Williamson and Scotty Thurman led Nolan Richardson’s “40 Minutes of Hell” to the promised land. The fan base is passionate-Bud Walton Arena is one of the toughest places to play in the country-and the program has shown it can win big.
But like Kentucky, Arkansas is the flagship school of a relatively small state. That means national recruiting is a must, and sustaining success can be a challenge when you’re not sitting on a hotbed of local talent.
Tennessee rounds out the top five. The Vols have become a consistent force under Rick Barnes, with deep tournament runs in 2024 and 2025.
They’ve got a rabid fan base-averaging over 18,000 fans per game-and basketball interest across the state is strong. But there’s still one glaring hole in the résumé: Tennessee has never made a Final Four.
That’s a tough omission when you’re ranking the best jobs in a league that includes programs with multiple national titles.
So if we’re stacking these jobs based on a combination of tradition, resources, fan support, and-most importantly-results, here’s how the top five should look:
- Kentucky - The standard-bearer.
No debate needed. 2.
Florida - Three national titles since 2006. Multiple coaches have won big.
That’s not a fluke-that’s a powerhouse. 3.
Arkansas - Rich history, loyal fan base, and a proven ability to reach the sport’s biggest stages. 4.
Texas - The potential is sky-high, but the track record doesn’t match the hype-at least not yet. 5.
Tennessee - A program on the rise, but still chasing that elusive Final Four.
And if you want to go deeper into the Kentucky vs. Florida debate in the 21st century, the numbers are closer than many might think:
- Overall record since 1999-2000: Kentucky 691-239 (.744), Florida 654-273 (.705)
- NCAA Tournament wins: Kentucky 48, Florida 45
- Final Fours since 2000: Florida 5, Kentucky 4
- National titles since 2000: Florida 3, Kentucky 1
- NCAA Tournament win percentage since 2000: Florida 70.3%, Kentucky 69.6%
Yes, Kentucky still holds the edge in most categories, including head-to-head (37-20) and SEC titles. But Florida has closed the gap in a big way over the last two decades, and they’ve done it with remarkable consistency.
As the Wildcats and Gators prepare to square off again this weekend-both sitting near the top of the SEC standings-it’s another reminder that Florida isn’t just a football school dabbling in basketball. They’re a legitimate national player, and they deserve to be treated like one.
Bottom line: Kentucky may be No. 1, but Florida isn’t No. 5. Not by a long shot.