Don’t let Alabama’s 45-40 victory over Clemson in the 2015 National Championship Game fool you, defense still wins championships. Sure, also having an offense that can put that many points on the board is a huge plus. But it was Alabama’s defense that held SEC opponents in check and allowed the Tide to roll to another national title.

Only Florida held SEC opponents to fewer points (108) than did the Tide (139).

So it should be no surprise, then, that those teams met in the SEC Championship Game. Defense is the key, and it is also why the annual salaries for SEC defensive coordinators are so much higher than that of their counterparts on offense.

With that in mind, here are the top five defensive coaching staffs in the SEC heading into the 2016 season:

1. Florida

The Gators gave up the fewest points in SEC games last season, holding conference foes to 15.2 points per outing.

The coaching staff on that side of the football returns almost intact for a second season. Defensive backs coach Kirk Callahan will not return and Torrian Gray comes over from Virginia Tech to fill the gap.

Otherwise, it’s business as usual in Gainesville. Defensive coordinator Geoff Collins starts his second season at the helm as do DL coach Chris Rumph and co-DC/LB coach Randy Shannon. The group meshed brilliantly in 2015 to put together one of the top defenses in the country, and by all indications should do the same in 2016.

2. Alabama

The Tide had one of the best defenses in the SEC and the country last season, and though DC Kirby Smart left to be the head coach at Georgia, it looks like the national champions won’t miss a beat. That’s because former Alabama coach Jeremy Pruitt returns to Tuscaloosa as the team’s defensive coordinator.

Pruitt spent six seasons (2007-12) at Alabama before becoming the defensive coordinator for a Florida State team that won the 2013 national championship. He spent the past two seasons in the same capacity at Georgia before returning to Alabama. He leads a veteran coaching staff that, like Pruitt, is used to championship-quality defense.

3. Texas A&M

Aggies defensive coordinator John Chavis is making strides with a defense that wasn’t very good when he took over last season. As SEC West Division teams go, only Alabama gave up fewer points in SEC play than the Aggies (175).

It was a dramatic turnaround from a program that was previously known for its high-scoring offense and porous defense.

The remainder of the defensive staff returns intact, and that’s a good thing considering the turmoil on the offensive side.

4. LSU

For the second time in two years the Tigers will break in a new defensive coordinator. But it’s an otherwise stable coaching staff that the Tigers are banking on to make the transition a smooth one.

One season after replacing Chavis, Kevin Steele is moving over to Auburn as its defensive coordinator. That opened the door for LSU new DC Dave Aranda, who over the past three seasons led a Wisconsin defense that ranked among the nation’s top 5.

Over that time his Badgers yielded an average of 289.4 yards per game, fewest in the nation. This past season, Aranda’s Wisconsin defense led the nation in fewest points allowed with 13.7 on average per game.

Aranda looks to fit in nicely with a veteran staff that includes DL coach Ed Orgeron and LB coach Bradley Dale Peveto, a top recruiter.

5. South Carolina

This ranking will raise a few eyebrows, but it really shouldn’t.

The Gamecocks get one of the better defensive minds in the country in new head coach Will Muschamp. The lofty ranking will largely depend on Muschamp’s choice for defensive coordinator.

He brought in 34-year-old Travaris Robinson, an up-and-coming talent who is also regarded among the nation’s top recruiters. Robinson coached with Muschamp at Florida and Auburn.

But here’s the wild card: Veteran defensive coach Ellis Johnson is coming in to help out.

Johnson coached at Alabama (1990-93 and was DC from 1997-2000), Clemson (1995-96), Mississippi State (2004-07), South Carolina (2008-11) and Auburn (2013-14). He has coached in two national championship games and five SEC Championship Games. He’ll play a key role in the development of the current staff.