The SEC’s coaching carousel was more like a whirlwind this offseason. Much of the coaching turnover came on the defensive side of the ball. Half of the conference goes into 2015 with a new defensive coordinator, and nearly a dozen assistant coaching positions changed hands.

With all the major defensive positions filled in the days before national signing day, we can take a step back and look at which programs made the best hires.

  1. John Chavis, Texas A&M defensive coordinator: We’ve already covered why Chavis was such a dynamite hire for the Aggies. Texas A&M deserves plenty of credit for not just going out to get a coach who more or less guarantees results, but also for prying him away from a divisional rival. The thought of Kevin Sumlin’s offense paired with even an average defense is scary; keep in mind that Chavis’ defenses were far above average at LSU, including a string of top-15 finishes nationally. An added bonus: Chavis won’t be at LSU to shut down the Aggies’ spread attack anymore.
  2. Will Muschamp, Auburn defensive coordinator: Unlike Texas A&M, Auburn has gotten by with below-average defenses with Gus Malzahn running the offense. The Tigers could have gotten back to contention with just minor improvements to the defense, but instead they opened the checkbook and swung for the fences, landing the most coveted name on the market. The last time Auburn had a defense ranked in the top 10 was during Muschamp’s last stint on the Plains. If they can get back to that level, the Tigers will be a playoff contender in Muschamp’s first year.
  3. Manny Diaz, Mississippi State defensive coordinator: Diaz was another hot name after rebuilding his name at Louisiana Tech. His team in 2014 led the nation with 42 takeaways, including 26 interceptions. That kind of ball-hawking is sorely needed at Mississippi State for Diaz’s second turn with the Bulldogs. While departed coordinator Geoff Collins certainly built a strong defense and developed Mississippi State’s talent, his defense struggled mightily at times throughout 2014.
  4. Barry Odom, Missouri defensive coordinator: Missouri will be losing some continuity with Dave Steckel moving to Missouri State, an issue helped by keeping defensive line coach Craig Kuligowski on staff. It also helps that Odom was previously a member of Gary Pinkel’s staff, working for the Tigers from 2003-11 after playing at Mizzou from 1996-99. Odom coached some pretty impressive defenses at Memphis, improving those Tigers from near the bottom of the nation to top-3o status this year.
  5. Ed Orgeron, LSU defensive line coach: LSU has talent all over its defense, and while losing Chavis hurts the players on hand will make sure the defense doesn’t fall far. Orgeron rides in to improve the Tigers’ weakest spot from it’s best-in-the-SEC defense in 2014: the defensive line. If Orgeron can get LSU’s pass rush up to par, the No. 1 spot is well within reach again next year. Add in Orgeron’s recruiting prowess and the Tigers could put a stranglehold on that top spot for several years to come.
  6. Geoff Collins, Florida defensive coordinator: Collins’ “Psycho Defense” produced some great results against the run and in the red zone in 2014 at Mississippi State, and the hope is that working with a more talented secondary will help solve the issues his Bulldogs defense had against the pass.
  7. Kevin Steele, LSU defensive coordinator: Steele is more known as a recruiter than an X’s-and-O’s guy, a small flag on a team that already has top-notch talent and recruiters on hand, but his experience as a coordinator and familiarity with the SEC makes him a good fit.
  8. Randy Shannon, Florida co-defensive coordinator, linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator: Shannon brings head coaching experience as an assistant for first-time head coach Jim McElwain, and he helped build an impressive unit in Arkansas last season.
  9. Lance Thompson, Auburn linebackers coach: Thompson has a strong record as a position coach, but is also a renowned recruiter. Add in that he defected from rival Alabama and this hire is a win for the Tigers.
  10. Todd Lyght, Vanderbilt cornerbacks coach: Lyght brings pro experience to Vandy, coming over from the Philadelphia Eagles. Derek Mason needed a jolt to his defense, for which he will call the plays, and Lyght brings just that.