SDS takes it back to your high school yearbook days to hand out superlatives to the best of the best in the assistant coaching ranks.

Youngest — Jake Spavital, Texas A&M offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach: Less than a decade removed from the end of his own college playing career, Spavital has risen rapidly up the coaching ranks in just seven years. After learning the ropes under West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen, he jumped to coach with Kevin Sumlin at Texas A&M for the 2013 season, and in his first year with the Aggies was named co-offensive coordinator — just five seasons into his coaching career.

Most experienced — Cam Cameron, LSU offensive coordinator: There are a few coaches with as many or more years in the game as Cameron, but no one can match him in terms of his resume. Since breaking into the coaching ranks at Michigan in 1984, he’s been a head coach and offensive coordinator in both college and the NFL, as well as a position coach at both levels.

Best offensive mind — Lane Kiffin, Alabama offensive coordinator: Kiffin’s hiring at Alabama raised some eyebrows, and he’s been ridiculed far and wide for his checkered history as a head coach. There’s no doubt that he’s the best OC in the conference, and one of the best in the country — he was a Broyles Award finalist in 2014. In his first year at Bama, he took over an offense that started a former running back at QB and turned it into the most prolific passing offense in school history, elevating Amari Cooper to legendary status. It won’t be a surprise if he comes close to duplicating that feat in 2015; Kiffin is just that good.
Honorable mentions: Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M; Gus Malzahn, Auburn; Steve Spurrier, South Carolina

Best defensive mind — Will Muschamp, Auburn defensive coordinator: While Muschamp’s Florida teams consistently failed on offense, those Gators defenses were always up to the task. Whether as head coach or defensive coordinator, Coach Boom fields a top-10 defense every year without fail. If he pulls off that feat at Auburn after the Tigers were abysmal last year, he should be considered as the best defensive coach in the country hands down if he isn’t already.
Honorable mentions: Kirby Smart, Alabama DC; John Chavis, Texas A&M DC; Craig Kuligowski, Missouri DL coach

Best recruiter — Frank Wilson, LSU running backs coach/recruiting coordinator: Nick Saban manages the best recruiting program in the nation, and his recruiting coordinator, Mario Cristobal, is considered one of the very best in the nation. But Wilson had a shot at a head coaching job this past offseason, due in large part to his strength in recruiting. Wilson owns the talent-rich state of Louisiana and has no problem going all around the Southeast to recruit players on both sides of the ball.
Honorable mentions: Mario Cristobal, Alabama OL coach; John Lilly, Georgia TE coach; Steve Stripling, Tennessee DL coach

Best schemer — Steve Spurrier, South Carolina: The HBC doesn’t bother at all with defense, and he’s certainly not operating at the same level that he was in his Florida days as he nears retirement. Still, there are few coaches in the nation you’d pick over Spurrier if you needed to win one game. Even with lesser talent, Spurrier is a good enough play caller to exploit any defense he comes across.
Honorable mentions: Sumlin; Rhett Lashlee, Auburn OC

Best motivator — Nick Saban, Alabama: From “the process” to his unprompted rants in the media used to either prod or pick up his players, no one does it better than Saban. While he’s got a sharp defensive mind, Saban is by no means an Xs-and-Os coach. Instead, he delegates that stuff to his staff and handles the big picture for Alabama.
Honorable mention: Butch Jones, Tennessse; Bret Bielema, Arkansas

Best overall staff — Alabama: The Crimson Tide’s coaching advantage is almost as impressive as their consistent No. 1 recruiting classes. Even with Kevin Steele leaving for LSU, the Tide still have four former head coaches on the staff, plus DC Kirby Smart, who could have just about any job in the country.
Honorable mentions: LSU, Georgia