There are three new coaches in the SEC this season — all in the SEC East — and none of them jumped out to an incredible start in the first half of the season.

Each of them is expected to help build his program back into a strong contender, but there have been plenty of growing pains so far. Still, there are some things to like about what these new coaches bring to the table, and it’s not often that a first-year coach wins in the SEC.

Here are some things to like and dislike about the SEC’s three new coaches.

Barry Odom (2-4, 0-4)

What to like: Odom served as Missouri’s defensive coordinator in 2015 before taking over as head coach after Gary Pinkel stepped down. Although his background is on defense, it’s the Tigers’ offense that has taken a big step forward in his first season. In Pinkel’s final year, Missouri was No. 125 in total offense, averaging 280.9 yards per game. This season, Missouri has risen more than 100 spots and is now No. 24 in total offense with 484.3 yards per game.

Odom hired former Oklahoma and Utah State offensive coordinator Josh Heupel and it’s had a positive effect so far. Drew Lock took a step back the past two games but has played better as a sophomore than he did last season. He has thrown for 1,714 yards with 14 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. He’s surrounded by a strong group of wide receivers, six of which have more than 100 receiving yards.

Missouri has also taken a small step forward in special teams production under Odom, getting more out of the return game and limiting opponents in coverage. Turnover margin is another improvement for the first-year head coach. The Tigers have created 14 turnovers this season, and are at a plus-2 margin at the midway point.

What not to like: Missouri’s usually-stout defense has taken a noticeable step backward, which is interesting considering Odom’s history. Like many new head coaches, Odom brought in his own staff. DeMontie Cross was named defensive coordinator and Jackie Shipp took over as the team’s defensive line coach. Their goal was to create an aggressive defensive unit capable of attacking out of multiple fronts.

Losing Walter Brady and Harold Brantley before the season certainly didn’t help, and there have been growing pains adjusting to a new scheme.

Missouri is ranked No. 100 in total defense, surrendering nearly 440 yards per game, which is a drastic change from last season when they were No. 6 in total defense and allowing nearly 300 yards per game.

Opponents have also been able to score more frequently on the Tigers, who are giving up 10 more points per game than last season.

Sep 17, 2016; Columbia, MO, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jacob Eason (10) is sacked by Missouri Tigers defensive end Charles Harris (91) in the first half at Faurot Field. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

During Missouri’s bye week, some of the team’s veteran players met with the coaches to discuss how to get things back on track. Despite the offensive improvement, the Tigers have failed to play a complete game against competent opponents. Missouri’s two wins have come against overmatched teams, and the Tigers have lost their other four games by a combined score of 136-59.

Kirby Smart (4-3, 2-3)

What to like: Arguably Kirby Smart’s greatest strength is on the recruiting trail. Georgia has the third-ranked recruiting class for 2017, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, and should build upon that throughout the year. Smart has not been shy about saying the talent in Athens isn’t where it should be, and he believes he can fix that.

Although the Bulldogs have taken a step back in terms of statistical defense, Smart and his staff should still be commended for the job they’ve done. Georgia lost nearly every starter in the front seven, yet it has remained in the top 25 in total defense and is allowing just under 340 yards per game. In fact, the Bulldogs have taken a major step forward defending the run. Despite playing several underclassmen up front, Georgia is surrendering 111.14 yards per game on the ground after giving up nearly 150 yards per game last season.

The work Smart has done with young players like Trenton Thompson, Roquan Smith and Natrez Patrick should have Bulldogs fans excited for the future of the program’s defense.

What not to like: Georgia hasn’t had an easy game, and the team inexplicably lost to Vanderbilt during homecoming. The Bulldogs have failed to play with discipline and effort for four consecutive quarters, which is typical of a young team and a first-time head coach.

Special teams remain a major problem. The Bulldogs have had issues in that aspect of the game, but this year they are among the worst in kickoff coverage and don’t yet have a reliable kicker, although Rodrigo Blankenship did provide some hope against Vanderbilt. Smart and his staff have harped on the importance of special teams, but there are still more head-scratching moments than Georgia fans would like.

Offensively, the Bulldogs looked to be progressing as freshman quarterback Jacob Eason became more comfortable, but the game plan has looked surprisingly conservative in recent weeks. The 4th-and-1 call against Vanderbilt will probably be remembered as one of the low points of Smart’s first season, but it feels as though the Bulldogs have too many weapons to only be scoring 25 points per game.

Will Muschamp (2-4, 1-4)

What to like: Will Muschamp knows how to build an effective defense, and that remains the case in South Carolina. After the Gamecocks allowed 430 yards per game in 2015, Muschamp has helped them bring that number down to 395.7 yards per game. Teams are scoring a touchdown less against South Carolina under Muschamp than they did in 2015.

His aggressive nature as a coach has also been a positive for the team’s red-zone defense. Last season, South Carolina allowed opponents to score on over 82 percent of their trips to the red zone. This year, that number has dropped to 68 percent, which is one of the best in the country.

What not to like: As was Muschamp’s major issue at Florida, offense has been hard to come by for the Gamecocks. South Carolina is last among FBS programs in points scored per game, averaging only 14 points. The Gamecocks are also among the worst in total offense, gaining just over 300 yards per outing.

Muschamp has carried his team’s quarterback battle on throughout much of the season, which has led to some of the offensive struggles. Getting players like Deebo Samuel and Bryan Edwards back from injury should help, but it remains to be seen if that will actually happen.

Naturally, with a good defense and the worst scoring offense, South Carolina has been in several low-scoring games. Muschamp’s team has only managed to win two of those contests thus far, and the road doesn’t look any easier in the second half of the season.