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SEC Football Spring Preview: 10 biggest questions and storylines

By Patrick Schmidt

Sep 5, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Cooper Bateman (18) in game action against the Wisconsin Badgers at AT&T Stadium. Alabama won 35-17. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Cooper Bateman (18) in game action against the Wisconsin Badgers at AT&T Stadium. Alabama won 35-17. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 23, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs new head football coach Kirby Smart (center) is interviewed for television at the basketball game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Stegeman Coliseum. Georgia defeated Arkansas 76-73 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs new head football coach Kirby Smart (center) is interviewed for television at the basketball game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Stegeman Coliseum. Georgia defeated Arkansas 76-73 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Who will be the best new coach?

Barry Odom at Missouri, Will Muschamp at South Carolina and Kirby Smart at Georgia are the new head coaches hired this offseason and all bring a defensive-oriented approach to the East.

Muschamp is the only one with previous head coaching experience after serving four years at Florida and has the unenviable task of taking over for a legend in Steve Spurrier. After flaming out at Florida it’ll be interesting to see what’s different about his approach a second time around.

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Odom takes over for Gary Pinkel who retired at the end of the season amid a cancer battle and must find a way to get Mizzou back to the form they showed the previous two years when they won the East. His lack of head coaching experience and limited experience as a coordinator bears watching as he grows into his dream job.

I’m not concerned about Smart’s lack of head coaching experience after serving as Nick Saban’s right-hand man for the last several years. Alabama’s former defensive coordinator can clearly coach and recruit, but how will he do without Saban looking over his shoulder?

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