Imbalance curtails job security

Coaches outside league’s elite teams face increasing pressure.

Things look pretty good for the Southeastern Conference, which has a solid chance to win a national championship with Alabama and Georgia.

But the rest of the league is struggling to keep pace with the Crimson Tide and the Bulldogs.

Florida’s frustration at chasing the SEC elite was evident last weekend, when the school parted ways with coach Jim McElwain.

The Gators were the first to make a move. Others may follow.

It’s been another top-heavy year in the SEC, with undefeated Alabama and Georgia rolling over opponents and heading for a seemingly inevitable show- down in the league’s championship game. They also occupied the top spots in the first College Football Playoff standings released Tuesday.

But the league’s drama won’t be confined to the title chase.

McElwain’s departure wasn’t all about wins and losses — recent off-the-field events had created a rift with his administration — but a 42-7 loss to Georgia on Saturday didn’t help. His swift fall was particularly stunning considering he’d won the SEC East championship his first two seasons before a steep dropoff this fall.

“This is a place where you can compete for championships

at the highest level,” Florida Athletic Director Scott Stricklin said.

Most SEC programs feel the same way and are spending millions on coaches and facilities. The problem is not all of them can succeed at the same time.

Now that Alabama and Georgia are dominating, other schools will try and keep up.

LSU coach Ed Orgeron said the pressure and expectations are just part of the job.

“These are very prestigious jobs,” Orgeron said. “When you’re at a place like LSU — I’m only going to speak for myself — you’re expected to win. You’re expected to do well and when you don’t, the pressure’s going to be on. That’s just part of the job, and I understand that.”

One of the trouble spots is Tennessee.

The Volunteers have lost four in a row, and coach Butch Jones is facing constant questions about job security.

“I understand everybody being upset, and if I was a fan I’d be upset too,” Jones said. “I bleed with them, but also I understand we need to win some football games, and I’m going to do everything in my power for our players, for our university and for our program to get that done.”

Ole Miss is another school that’s likely to make a change.

Hugh Freeze resigned before the season after a school investigation into his phone records found personal misconduct. Interim coach Matt Luke hasn’t had much success in Freeze’s place, going 3-5, including a 1-4 in the SEC.

Other schools feeling various levels of frustration include Arkansas, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt and Missouri. Some of the situations are particularly volatile, with one win or loss changing the trajectory of a program.

There’s even been some discontent at Auburn — and the Tigers are No. 14 in the first playoff poll. But some Auburn fans have not been able to get over the Tigers blowing a 20-0 lead in losing to LSU.

Arkansas coach Bret Bielema was under pressure before a 38-37 win over Ole Miss on Saturday.

The Razorbacks rallied from a 31-7 deficit in the second quarter to snap a three-game losing streak. Of course, that just raised the heat at Ole Miss.

The game’s aftermath was a rare moment when Bielema could joke about the constant pressure and expectations.

“When you’re in these situations, everyone has a lot of answers for you,” Bielema said with a wry grin. “I appreciate all the advice that I’ve gotten from everyone from A to Z. I said the other night on a radio show, I’ve gotten more references for scripture than I could ever possibly read.”