Five SEC football offensive coordinators with something to prove in 2025

USA Today

5 days ago

Joe Sloan enters his second season as LSU football's offensive coordinator and he has much to prove as do others in his position across the SEC.
A strong offensive coordinator can make or break a team's success. As the primary play caller, the offensive coordinator is responsible for ensuring the unit is cohesive every drive and executing the correct plays.
Poor play calling can lead to a head coach being fired or star players transferring if their usage isn't where they expect it to be. A lot hinges on the offensive coordinator's effective communication with players and decision-making in high-leverage situations. When things go wrong, the OC is one of the first to catch flak from the fanbase on social media. It's not a kind job.
Offensive coordinators at Big 10 and SEC schools have made north of $2 million, but salaries range from down to the lower $1 million. As head coach salaries have ballooned in recent years, so have high-profile assistants.
Here are five SEC offensive coordinators with the most to prove in 2025.
Kirby Moore, Missouri
Moore took the position at Missouri in 2023 and immediately had success. The Tigers averaged 32.5 points per game and 6.46 yards per play and ended the season with a Sugar Bowl win. They regressed last year due to injuries and inconsistencies, averaging 5.49 yards per play, and now must replace three-year starting quarterback Brady Cook.
A successful third season at the helm in Missouri could ignite NFL interest or head coaching buzz for Moore. Guiding a new starting passer and an improved offensive attack are the keys, but another down year would stall his momentum.
Joe Sloan, LSU
LSU gained much-needed consistency as Sloan enters his second season, along with starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. As part of the nation's top-ranked 2025 transfer portal class, the Tigers added multiple proven Power Four receiving threats and retooled their offensive line.
Expectations are high in Baton Rouge, and much hinges on Sloan's guidance of the offense. He inherited a powerful unit ahead of the bowl game in 2023 that led the country with 46.4 points per game. As expected, the unit took a step back in 2024. That's usually what happens when you lose a Heisman-winning quarterback and two first-round wide receivers.
Nussmeier was good, but he had his low moments. LSU struggled to run the ball, too. As LSU dropped three straight games midseason, the offense went flat.
LSU's offense has all the tools to be one of the best units in the SEC and college football, but a poor season in 2025 would put the entire LSU staff on the hot seat.
Mike Bobo, Georgia
Bobo, who is entering his ninth year across two stints with the Bulldogs, has a history of producing prolific offenses. He's coached some of UGA's best quarterbacks, including Matthew Stafford, Aaron Murray, and Carson Beck.
But 2024 was a subpar year for the offense, at least by Georgia's standards. The Dawgs ranked 50th in yards per play and 44th in 20-yard play rate. Those are fine numbers, above average, but they don't win national championships.
Bobo catches heat from the fanbase on social media, often unfairly. But another down year would lead to questions about Bobo's adaptability.
Ryan Grubb, Alabama
Grubb reunites with head coach Kalen DeBoer after being fired from the Seattle Seahawks. The pair coached together at Washington and are now tasked with leading one of the country's most iconic brands after the Tide missed the College Football Playoff in 2024.
From choosing a starting quarterback to implementing a new system, the stakes are high for Grubb to maintain the Crimson Tide's offensive standard.
Grubb's job is more than secure (assuming the bottom doesn't fall out in Tuscaloosa). But this is a place where there's always pressure. It would be hard to write a piece about SEC coordinators facing pressure without including an Alabama coach, no matter the circumstances.
Ben Arbuckle, Oklahoma
Arbuckle comes enters his first season with the Sooners and brings Washington State starting quarterback John Mateer. Mateer threw for 3,139 yards and ran for 826 yards last season under Arbuckle. Now, both will try their hand against SEC opponents.
Oklahoma has lots of unproven talent at wide receiver and must get its playmakers on the same page in its second SEC season. Health was a major issue in 2024, but OU is hoping better injury luck leads to an improved pass-catching core.
Oklahoma's offense needs to turn it around or head coach Brent Veneables will find his seat getting hotter. Any time a head coach is facing that type of pressure, it usually trickles down to the OC. If Arbuckle builds a competent unit in year one, he'll cement his status as one of the sport's fastest rising coaches.