Every year, coaches get fired and new coaches get hired in their place. That’s just the way of life in college football.

The SEC has been a hotbed for coaching candidates around the country for years. Just last season, former Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo replaced Jim McElwain at Colorado State, Dave Steckel took the head coaching job at Missouri State, former Texas A&M recruiting coordinator David Beaty was hired to run the Kansas Jayhawks and Neal Brown left Kentucky to become head coach at Troy.

Who are the best candidates in the conference now for head coaching jobs?

1. Kirby Smart, Alabama defensive coordinator — Smart is the biggest no-brainer (no pun intended) of any coach on this list. He’s had ample opportunities to take head coaching jobs during his tenure at Alabama, but as recently as December has said he’s simply waiting for the right opportunity. Could he be waiting for Nick Saban to step down at Alabama?

2. Rhett Lashlee, Auburn offensive coordinator — Gus Malzahn’s offensive coordinator probably doesn’t get enough credit, but he’s been very impressive and clearly knows how to run an offense in Malzahn’s style in and out — he’s been alongside the coach since his playing days. Will Lashlee’s age (he’s just 31 years old) be a deterrent? He seems at ease in the spotlight, and his personality makes him seem like a head-coach-in-waiting, even if he says he’s not looking for those opportunities yet.

3. Robb Smith, Arkansas defensive coordinator — Smith became one of the hottest names in coaching last year, his first as Arkansas defensive coordinator, and he got a raise after the year to keep him happy. If he produces another dominant Razorbacks defense this fall, his name should rightly be mentioned in regards to job openings around the country.

4. Lane Kiffin, Alabama offensive coordinator — Kiffin’s track record simultaneously makes him a good candidate and one to stay away from. The man can clearly coach, but his history shows that he might not be the best-equipped coach out there for the CEO responsibilities of a college head coach after tumultuous exits at all three of his head coaching stops. Time working under Saban could change that, and Kiffin’s name will continue to come up in rumors as long as his offenses put up big numbers.

5. Jeremy Pruitt, Georgia defensive coordinator — Pruitt is relatively young at 40 years old, but he already has an impressive track record. He won two consecutive national titles coaching Alabama’s defensive backs, then another in 2013 as Florida State’s defensive coordinator. With the way he’s climbed the coaching ranks — from Alabama’s Hoover High School to a national champion defensive coordinator — it’s only a matter of time before Pruitt takes the next step.

6. Frank Wilson, LSU running backs coach/recruiting coordinator — Wilson might be the best recruiting coordinator in the nation, and that alone is enough to thrust his name into head coaching talks — as it was last offseason. On top of that, he’s developed a host of NFL running backs since joining LSU’s staff in 2010. With those player development and recruiting chops, he’s a great candidate to run a program.

7. Geoff Collins, Florida defensive coordinator — Now that Collins has moved jobs in the SEC, from Mississippi State to Florida, he could be a year or two removed from head coach consideration. But if he can keep Florida’s defense at a level high enough that the Gators are competitive in 2015, programs could come calling.

8. Craig Kuligowski, Missouri defensive line coach — So what if Kuligowski has never even been a defensive coordinator? Gary Pinkel’s long-time DL coach produces some of the best lines in the country on an annual basis, has a reputation as a good recruiter and is one of the best position coaches in the country. Less-qualified candidates have gotten head coaching gigs before.

9. Jake Spavital, Texas A&M offensive coordinator — Spavital’s name was much hotter a year ago after his quick ascension in the coaching ranks, but cooled off a bit as the Aggies went through a subpar offensive season (at least by their lofty standards). While Kevin Sumlin is clearly the mastermind, Spavital has done some good work as quarterbacks coach, and he’s also learned under West Virginia’s Dana Holgorsen.

10. Will Muschamp, Auburn defensive coordinator — Most assume Muschamp will one day make his way back to the head coaching ranks. However, after he couldn’t figure out a way to build a competent offense, you have to wonder how long it will be until a big-time program would turn the reins over to Muschamp, or whether he’d consider a smaller school to refine his head coaching skills. Working alongside Malzahn and Lashlee should help him learn something about his offensive shortcomings.