The Coaches Combine: Predicting each SEC coach’s performance in main combine events

After watching some of college football’s top athletes perform a variety of drills at last weekend’s NFL Combine, one major question still hangs in the air.

How would each of the SEC’s 14 head coaches fare in some of the Combine’s main events?

In this hypothetical, we will do our best to determine the most likely outcome for each coach in three of the Combine’s more notable tests: The 40-yard dash, bench press – we will adjust the bench press weight to 135 pounds to make it a bit easier – and vertical jump.

In the unlikely event that the SEC’s coaches have performed these drills before, we will take those results into account. Otherwise, these predictions will be based on physical stature, sideline activity and some good, old-fashioned guesswork.

The coaches have stretched, laced up their shoes and are ready to go. Let’s check out the results.

Barry Odom, Missouri

40-yard dash: 5.72 seconds

Bench press: 14 reps

Vertical jump:  25.5 inches

Odom would be a bit of a dark horse in these events. One of the newer and lesser-known coaches in the SEC, Odom could easily be considered one of the participants who “helped his stock the most.” Before becoming Missouri’s head coach, Odom was a star linebacker for the Tigers. His 362 career tackles are still seventh-most in school history. It’s been a while since Odom laced ’em up, but he still looks like he could bring it.

Bret Bielema, Arkansas

40-yard dash: 8.68 seconds

Bench press: 21 reps

Vertical jump: 18 inches

The NFL Combine’s events aren’t always the best indicator of future success for offensive linemen, and Bielema would run into the same issues. The Arkansas coach has undergone ACL surgery, and it’s hard to picture him faring well in the 40-yard dash or the vertical jump. Bielema would likely be among the top performers in the bench press, which is an event that suits his skillset well. In a class of coaches that lacks elite size, Bielema would be coveted for that reason alone.

Butch Jones, Tennessee

40-yard dash: 6.27 seconds

Bench press: 14 reps

Vertical jump: 20.5 inches

Upon hearing of the Coaches Combine, Jones immediately set upon what he called a “long and exciting process.” He worked tirelessly to put together a talented training staff, but rumors of internal strife and entitlement surrounded his preparation. Scouts and GMs had high expectations for the Tennessee coach, but his performance left a lot of people disappointed. In an effort to generate a positive spin, Jones said, “They can’t measure the championship showing of my heart.”

Dan Mullen, Mississippi State

40-yard dash: 5.69 seconds

Bench press: 11 reps

Vertical jump: 26.5 inches

Mullen has kept himself in good shape despite the rigors of coaching in the SEC. For proof of that, look no further than his participation in the 120^th Boston Marathon, which he completed with an average time of slightly over 10 minutes per mile. There’s no doubt that Mullen would train hard for these events, but he doesn’t have the natural physical qualities that would excite scouts or GMs.

Derek Mason, Vanderbilt

40-yard dash: 5.21 seconds

Bench press: 13 reps

Vertical jump: 29.5 inches

If a poll was conducted amongst SEC fans to determine which head coach they would least like to fight, Mason would probably be the clear winner. The Vanderbilt coach looks like he belongs on the field instead of the sideline, and he would definitely bring it in a combine setting. As a former cornerback, Mason should perform well in the 40-yard dash and the vertical jump, and he would probably put up an impressive number of reps on the bench as well. Teams might be a little concerned about the penalties that accrued due to his celebrations, however.

Dancing Derek Mason is pumped to beat Tennessee. https://t.co/iqSREeeOAZ pic.twitter.com/9c9zqAFzG5

— SB✯Nation CFB (@SBNationCFB) November 27, 2016

Ed Orgeron, LSU

40-yard dash: 6.52 seconds

Bench press: 25 reps

Vertical jumps: 19.5 inches

Orgeron would look like one of the most impressive coaches coming off of the bus, but his lack of explosive ability might leave some lingering doubts. Still, the LSU coach assembled the best training staff in America to prepare for these drills, and they greatly improved his strength. Orgeron’s performance in the bench press makes him a nice option for any team looking to get stronger on the defensive line.

Gus Malzahn, Auburn

40-yard dash: 6.32 seconds

Bench press: 6 reps

Vertical jump: 20 inches

There may have been a time when Malzahn might have fared decently in these three events, but that time has passed. The Auburn coach doesn’t exactly scream “physical specimen,” and his performance would surely reflect that. Perhaps the only real drama surrounding his drills would be whether or not Malzahn did them in his trademark sweater vest and visor. He’d probably crush the Wonderlic, though.

Hugh Freeze, Ole Miss

40-yard dash: 6.03 seconds

Bench press: 8 reps

Vertical jump: 19 inches

Although he didn’t play football in college, Freeze was a two-year letterman on the baseball team at Northwest Mississippi Community College. Following his poor showing, those in attendance would begin to wonder whether or not he was fully focused on his preparation and what that would mean for his playing career. Given everything the Rebels are dealing with, however, it would be understandable if Freeze was a bit distracted during training.

Jim McElwain, Florida

40-yard dash: 6.11 seconds

Bench press: 9 reps

Vertical jump: 20.5 inches

A former quarterback in college, McElwain likely wasn’t ever touted for his abilities as a runner. He’s taken Florida to back-to-back SEC championship games, but McElwain would fall to the back of the pack in these events. He has shown the ability to coach players up, however, so maybe he could turn in a performance that would surprise people. That doesn’t seem likely, though, and McElwain should be pegged as a late-round pick.

Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M

40-yard dash: 5.60 seconds

Bench press: 16 reps

Vertical jump: 25.5 inches

Like Odom, Sumlin was a star linebacker during his college career. At Purdue, Sumlin earned a starting role from Day 1 and remains seventh on the school’s list of all-time leading tacklers. The Aggies coach has kept himself in fairly decent shape, and he would put together a solid overall combine. It also doesn’t hurt that he would have Myles Garrett available to give him some pointers.

Kirby Smart, Georgia

40-yard dash: 5.64 seconds

Bench press: 12 reps

Vertical jump: 31 inches

Before becoming a mainstay of Saban’s coaching staff at Alabama and the head coach of Georgia, Smart was a four-year letterman for the Bulldogs at safety. Smart’s instincts helped him become a first-team All-SEC selection as a senior, but he was never the most physically gifted player on the field. Still, Smart would have a good showing in these drills and leave a lot of people talking about his incredible vertical. During nearly every game, Smart makes sure to get in a good leg workout, which is just great discipline.

Mark Stoops, Kentucky

40-yard dash: 6.42 seconds

Bench press: 8 reps

Vertical jump: 27.5 inches

A lesser-known coach by those in attendance, Stoops was intent on proving his doubters wrong and generating hype with a good showing. Unfortunately, the Kentucky coach could only find basketball trainers to work with, and his football-related skills suffered greatly. All that training worked wonders for his vertical, though.

Nick Saban, Alabama

40-yard dash: 7.12 seconds

Bench press: 3 reps

Vertical jump: 19.5 inches

Undersized and with very little explosive athleticism, Saban’s tireless work prior to the combine events didn’t amount to much. Against all odds, however, the New England Patriots selected him in the first round, claiming that Saban was “a gritty player with a high motor who is the first one in the building and the last one to leave.” Converted into a slot receiver, Saban became a four-time All-Pro and was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Will Muschamp, South Carolina

40-yard dash: 5.72 seconds

Bench press: 16 reps

Vertical jump: 23.5 inches

The South Carolina coach was once a coveted prospect, but his poor on-field performance damaged that reputation. Given another shot to prove what he could do, Muschamp exceeded expectations, and many teams view him as a potential fourth-round steal with great potential. Muschamp’s workout led to a viral moment on social media, as a shot of his outright anger toward one of the 40-yard dash timers became the lasting image of the event.

Angry Will Muschamp is my spirit animal pic.twitter.com/37iudAPy9F

— Adam Beasley (@THE_QUATRO4) August 24, 2014