No mercy in SEC for coordinators

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In a league as competitive as the Southeastern Conference, two head-coaching changes at the end of the football season are hardly stunning. But when you factor in the coordinator changes, this qualifies as a volatile post-season.Half of the conference teams will have either a new offensive or defensive coordinator next fall. Get used to the turnover.The more money coaches make, the less security they have. That applies to head coaches and coordinators.And since coordinators don't have the power to fire head coaches, it's obvious who's more vulnerable.The prevailing question: "What have you done for me lately?"In 2004, Auburn went 13-0, thanks, in part, to the work of offensive coordinator Al Borges, whom coach Tommy Tuberville hired after the 2003 season. He rejuvenated the career of quarterback Jason Campbell, much as former Tennessee offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe did with quarterback Erik Ainge. Borges also found creative ways of using star running backs Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown.Three years later, after Auburn ended the regular season ranked 101st in the country in total offense, Borges resigned. "Resigned" should be considered a euphemism.Two years ago, South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier began the season with co-defensive coordinators in John Thompson and Tyrone Nix. In the second half of the season, Nix was given total control of the defense as Thompson took a leave of absence. Thompson never returned, and Nix became the Gamecocks' sole defensive coordinator.Despite returning only one defensive starter in 2006, the Gamecocks ranked 29th nationally in scoring defense, and Nix got plenty of the credit. This season, when the Gamecocks unraveled after a 6-1 start, Nix got plenty of blame.He has since taken the defensive coordinator's job on coach Houston Nutt's new staff at Ole Miss. He is returning to his native state and getting a substantial raise. But would he have made that move if his boss were satisfied with the defense?The offensive-minded Spurrier began spending practice time with the defense late in the season after South Carolina gave up 51 points to Florida and 48 to Arkansas. Although the defense improved in the regular-season finale, it faltered when Clemson pulled off its last minute, game-winning drive, which included a third-and-18 conversion.Whenever a successful head coach has an "off season," he invariably points out his overall track record. That doesn't work as well for coordinators.Borges was Auburn's most valuable coach in its unbeaten season three years ago when he had three first-round draft picks in his offensive backfield. He had nowhere near that talent this season.Instead, he had a mediocre quarterback, no big-time playmakers at wide receiver, and a starting offensive line that included three true freshmen.For a head coach, that would constitute an excuse. For a coordinator, it constitutes a resignation.(Contact John Adams at adamsj(at)knews.com.)(Contact John Adams of The Knoxville News Sentinel in Tennessee at www.knoxnews.com.)