Coming off the first GOP primary debate, the political world is abuzz with the electability and approval ratings of the presidential candidates.

College football coaches have political personalities as well. They need to win over their players, assistants, athletic directors and donors.

But it’s the fans, and specifically SEC fans, who can be most vocal about their team’s coaches. That’s why Saturday Down South polled readers to see just how much they supported conference coaches.

SEC West coaches had positive approval ratings overall, according to the survey. But, just like in politics, that can all change in a year.

Here’s how the SEC West coaches are viewed by their fans:

NICK SABAN, ALABAMA

Approval rating: 94 percent

Despite Saban’s fear that expectations at Alabama have become unrealistic, the Crimson Tide coach enjoys the highest approval rating in the SEC West.

Saban’s interactions with media members have drawn ire, but that doesn’t seem to matter to Alabama fans. They once again packed the spring game and SEC Media Days to get a glimpse of their coach. Unless a huge drop-off occurs this season, Saban will continue to be the greatest political force in college football.

BRET BIELEMA, ARKANSAS

Approval rating: 84 percent

Arkansas fans have displayed nearly unwavering support for Bielema since he arrived in Fayetteville. The former Wisconsin coach has meticulously built the groundwork for sustained success, and those steps finally began to show last season with a win over LSU as well as a bowl victory.

This could be the year his approval rating slips, if the team fails to move up in the standings. Another last-place division finish will be tough to spin as an improvement, no matter how much fans currently like Bielema.

GUS MALZAHN, AUBURN

Approval rating: 90 percent

Auburn can’t seem to avoid the extremes. Malzahn resurrected the program when he arrived after the Tigers were winless against SEC opponents in 2012. He won the SEC in his first season, then fell to the middle of the pack in the West last season. Will Muschamp’s hire was seen as a great move on Malzahn’s part, but the two have a lot of work to do before the season before Auburn can think about returning to a championship level.

While Malzahn’s approval rating is currently high, Auburn fans still resemble a swing state. It wasn’t too long ago, after all, that Gene Chizik was fired two years after winning the national title.

LES MILES, LSU

Approval rating: 65 percent

Miles’ tenure in Baton Rouge has been marked by continuous coaching controversy, both because of outside interest and recent fan frustration. His gutsy play calls are some of the most entertaining in college football, but they seem to be working less and less in recent years.

If Miles and the Tigers don’t eclipse last season’s .500 conference record, expect his approval rating to fall below 50 percent as well.

HUGH FREEZE, OLE MISS

Approval rating: 85 percent

Freeze has been building this program from the inside out, loading up on talented linemen while developing a punishing football brand of which Ole Miss fans can be proud. That pride showed last season as the Rebels finished No. 17 in the country after flirting with the Top 5 in the middle of the year.

Freeze will have to continue to move the team forward in the absence of Bo Wallace. With Freeze’s continued success and his affinity for the program (he’s an Oxford native), the Mississippi coach could survive multiple disappointing seasons before worrying about job security.

DAN MULLEN, MISSISSIPPI STATE

Approval rating: 85 percent

It’s unlikely the stock of any Mississippi State coach has ever been higher. Mullen got the Bulldogs to No. 1 in the country last season, but many analysts picked Mississippi State to finish last in the division in 2015.

That’s a huge disparity, and, like with most things, the Bulldogs’ outlook is likely somewhere in between the extremes. It will be interesting to see how Bulldogs fans rate Mullen after what should be a drop-off season, though.

KEVIN SUMLIN, TEXAS A&M

Approval rating: 66 percent

Texas A&M has spent millions recently on its football program, spurred by the Aggies’ move to the SEC and Sumlin’s early success with his Air Raid offense.

But last season showed glaring holes on the defensive side of the ball. Texas A&M fans hope new defensive coordinator John Chavis will fix this, but the Aggies have a long way to climb with a defense that dragged them to a 3-5 conference record. This year will start to clarify whether Sumlin is the man to lead the Aggies in the future or simply a Johnny Manziel beneficiary.