In the SEC East, 2015 was a year of transition. The biggest change was at the top, where the division lost three of its most highly regarded coaches. There will be no more Steve Spurrier, Mark Richt or Gary Pinkel patrolling the sidelines on game day.

The good news, however, is that fans get to learn all about these coaches’ successors. That means everything from their coaching style to their personal traits and rituals to meeting their wives.

Without further adieu, it’s time to introduce the newbies as well as the established names among the women that do so much to keep their husbands’ heads clear on game days.

Florida: Karen McElwain

Dec 6, 2014; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators head coach Jim McElwain wife, Karen McElwain and kids Johanna McElwain, Jerret McElwain, Elizabeth McElwain watch during a press conference at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Karen McElwain, pictured here wearing orange, has gotten used to a life of travel while supporting her husband through the many stages of his coaching journey. They’ve been across the country, from Washington, to Colorado State, to Alabama, now ending up as the first family at the Florida Gators.

Georgia: Mary Beth Smart

There may be no husband/wife duo in college football that embodies the spirit of their university like the Smarts. Kirby, a first-time head coach, was a defensive back at UGA from 1995-98. He returns to his alma mater as the head coach after earlier serving as an administrative assistant and a running backs coach over a decade ago.

Of the two, however, Mary Beth was without question the better athlete. A former Miss Georgia Basketball, Mary Beth got to live out a childhood dream by playing for the Lady Bulldogs from 1999-03.

Though Kirby and new South Carolina head coach Will Muschamp have debated who used to win their one-on-one basketball games, it’s safe to say that Mary Beth, who is among UGA’s career leaders in 3-point shooting percentage, free throw percentage, and minutes played, probably would school them both.

Kentucky: Chantel Stoops

Though the couple had never been to Lexington prior to Mark taking the Kentucky job in 2012, the Stoops have become a big part of the city.

Mark, part of a generation of coaches in his family, was born in Youngstown in neighboring Ohio. Chantel, a school teacher from Wyoming, has been on board since the two met in the late 1990s while Mark was coaching at the University of Wyoming. Together, the couple is bringing in a new wave of football fandom in hoops-obsessed state.

Missouri: Tia Odom

Tia Odom

(Image credit: Tia Odom via Twitter)

Like most things about his private life, Barry Odom has been pretty close-lipped about his family life. Part of that comes with being a first-year head coach. Likewise, Tia Odom has been able to keep a low profile. She’s an MU grad, and he’s a former player, that’s an easy way to endear themselves to the community.

South Carolina: Carol Muschamp

Nov 22, 2014; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators head coach Will Muschamp and wife Carol walk off after the game after the game against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the Eastern Kentucky Colonels 52-3. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

If looks were talent, Carol Muschamp would be a five-star recruit. This family is an SEC melting pot, with Will playing at Georgia and Carol graduating from Ole Miss. The two are accomplished travelers, with Will making 10 stops since their wedding in 1999. South Carolina, looking to replace the best coach in program history, picked a couple with unmatched confidence and swagger.

Tennessee: Barbara Jones

Since coming over from Cincinnati in 2013, Barbara Jones has really embraced the SEC lifestyle. From writing a second verse to “Rocky Top,” to leading a women’s football clinic, the first lady Vol has been busy. Though she has kept relatively out of the public eye, her husband Butch never hesitates to credit her with his success.

Vanderbilt: LeighAnne Mason

In line with her husband Derek’s “football only” mentality, it’s been very hard to find info on Mrs. Mason. Other than being mentioned alongside their two kids, Makenzie and Sydney, LeighAnne has kept a low public profile.