Former New York Jets head coach Herm Edwards famously spouted “You play to win the game!” during one of his emotional post-game press conferences.

Well, these SEC coaches did exactly that. And, by percentage, did it better than any others in the history of this storied conference.

RELATED: Listing the 14 current coaches in order of all-time SEC wins

Below, we look at the 10 coaches with the best winning percentage in SEC history. They may not have won the most games, but they are the coaches that won most frequently in the games in which they participated.

But first, here are some things to note about the list:

  • All records were compiled using the 2015 SEC football media guide
  • Only games spent as the head coach at an SEC institution count
  • A minimum of five years as a SEC head coach was required for consideration

10. Dan McGugin, Vanderbilt

Winning percentage: .762 (197-55-19)
Tenure: 1904-1917; 1919-1934
Surprised to see a Vanderbilt coach on this list? Don’t be. This College Football Hall of Famer had Vanderbilt considered one of the region’s premier programs for decades.

9. George E. Pyle, Florida

Winning percentage: .763 (26-7-3)
Tenure: 1909-1914
Using the five-year minimum to his advantage, Pyle snuck onto this list in front of some more established SEC coaches, such as John Vaught, Phillip Fulmer and Steve Spurrier.

8. Allyn McKeen, Mississippi State

Winning percentage: .764 (65-19-3)
Tenure: 1939-1948
A legend in Starkville, McKeen led the Bulldogs to their only unbeaten season (1940) and won the program’s only SEC championship (1941).

7. Les Miles, LSU

Winning percentage: .780 (103-29)
Tenure: 2005-present
Are any LSU fans feeling guilty for being so critical of Miles after taking a peek at this list? Miles may underachieve in the eyes of some, but his win rate is among the best that have ever coached in the league.

6. Paul “Bear” Bryant, Kentucky & Alabama

Winning percentage: .797 (292-69-14)
Tenure: Kentucky 1946-1953 ; Alabama 1958-1982
Perhaps the conference’s most famous coach, the Bear earned his spot on this list the hard way with 33 years of SEC head coaching experience. That makes his win rate even more impressive.

5. Nick Saban, LSU & Alabama

Winning percentage: .802 (134-33)
Tenure: LSU 2000-2004; Alabama 2007-present
Given his four national championships during this time period at two different programs, it is hard to argue against Saban being considered one of the very best in the history of the league by the time he retires.

4. Frank Thomas, Alabama

Winning percentage: .8116 (115-24-7)
Tenure: 1931-1946
This guy did it all: he played quarterback at Notre Dame for Knute Rockne, mentored Bear Bryant and won a couple of national championships at Alabama along the way.

3. Wallace Wade, Alabama

Winning percentage: .8117 (61-13-3)
Tenure: 1923-1930
A former assistant to McGugin at Vanderbilt, Wade went on to make his mark at Alabama, winning three national championships during an eight-year tenure.

2. Urban Meyer, Florida

Winning percentage: .813 (65-15)
Tenure: 2005-2010
Meyer’s time at Florida was brief, yet impactful. The Gators won two BCS national championships under his direction. He has since won a third at Ohio State.

1. General Robert Neyland, Tennessee

Winning percentage: .829 (173-31-12)
Tenure: 1926-1934; 1936-1940; 1946-1952
Neyland, who had three seperate tenures at Tennessee due to interruptions from his military service, is considered one of the best coaches in league history. He has set a career winning percentage that may never be matched in the league.