Tommy Rees to Bobby Petrino, 5 offensive coordinators who will shape SEC's 2023 season | Toppmeyer

Offensive coordinators often are discussed with such reverence you’d think some of these so-called gurus would be developing Apple’s newest technology or curing disease if football dried up.

Truthfully, I think most SEC football coaches would swap a good offensive coordinator for a top-shelf quarterback in a blink.

I don’t have to tell you whom Nick Saban would choose if he could have another year with either Bryce Young or Bill O’Brien at Alabama.

Much ink was spilled on whiz-kid Joe Brady’s effect on LSU, but if Ed Orgeron could have enjoyed Joe Burrow’s talents for a few more seasons, they’d be building an Orgeron statue outside Tiger Stadium. Instead, Orgeron is probably shirtless somewhere tropical at this very moment as he enjoys his severance.

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Now that I’ve trimmed an offensive coordinator’s influence to a more appropriate size, let’s acknowledge that a handful of new coordinators are going to shape the SEC’s season narrative.

The coordinator carousel nearly twirled off its axis last winter. Ten SEC teams hired new offensive coordinators, including the two-time defending national champion Georgia.

Here are five new offensive coordinators who are positioned to wield the most influence on this season – with the caveat that a star quarterback would be more influential than any of them.

1. Tommy Rees (Alabama)

Last stop: Notre Dame’s offensive coordinator

Saban’s replacement for O’Brien exerts influence on multiple fronts. For one, Rees must develop Alabama’s next starting quarterback, and Young’s heir is not apparent. Jalen Milroe oozed athleticism but lacked polish as Young’s backup. Ty Simpson is untested, although he’s more tested than Alabama’s two freshmen. Add in Alabama’s lack of a marquee receiver and its insecure offensive line depth, and the Tide offense faces more questions than usual.

Plus, Rees is tasked with transforming Alabama’s system into a throwback style with more reliance on the running game and play-action passing.

2. Bobby Petrino (Texas A&M)

Last stop: UNLV’s offensive coordinator (for three weeks)

A motorcycle ride with Petrino would be more exciting than anything the Aggies did on offense last season. Petrino won’t win humanitarian of the year, but the former Arkansas coach possesses the skills to brighten an offense. A dozen years ago, he produced a first-team All-SEC quarterback, Tyler Wilson, and led the Razorbacks to their best season ever in this conference.

Two questions: Can Petrino get Jimbo Fisher to check his ego and give Petrino the freedom to fix this? And, does quarterback Conner Weigman have a high enough ceiling that the offense can be salvaged? The Aggies have too much talent to not be one of the SEC's better teams.

3. Mike Bobo (Georgia)

Last stop: Georgia offensive analyst

Needing to replace Todd Monken, Kirby Smart turned the dial to play the hits. We’ll learn whether Bobo still carries a tune or was a one-hit wonder as Mark Richt’s longtime offensive coordinator at Georgia.

Monken worked wonders with Georgia’s offense the past three seasons. He positioned Stetson Bennett IV to succeed, and he was an excellent play-caller.

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Bobo knows Monken’s methods, having aided as an analyst, but his last two turns running befuddled offenses at South Carolina and Auburn don’t inspire confidence. He’ll need to produce a new starting quarterback. His track record is proven there, at least, and Georgia continues to brim with talent.

4. Liam Coen (Kentucky)

Last stop: Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator

Kentucky possessed NFL-bound quarterback Will Levis last season. You wouldn’t have known that if you watched the Wildcats, though. To put it bluntly, UK’s offense stunk. Mark Stoops fired Rich Scangarello in November, then rehired Coen from the NFL. We know how Coen can help Kentucky. The Wildcats won 10 games with him pushing the buttons in 2021.

Coen has pieces to work with, like running back Ray Davis, a Vanderbilt transfer, and three frontline wide receivers who returned. He must sturdy an infirm offensive line, and he needs to return transfer quarterback Devin Leary to his 2021 N.C. State form. Position a healthy Leary behind a fortified line, and Kentucky’s offense could rank among the SEC’s most improved.

5. Kevin Barbay (Mississippi State)

Last stop: Appalachian State offensive coordinator

Mississippi State’s first-year coach Zach Arnett quickly put his stamp on this program when he pivoted away from Mike Leach’s “Air Raid” offense by hiring Barbay. That’s an especially interesting choice considering quarterback Will Rogers is a returning three-year starter whose expertise is in the “Air Raid.”

Barbay’s task is making MSU more balanced and more explosive. Leach’s “Air Raid” had its merits, but it lacked big-play punch. Nevertheless, MSU established an identity with Rogers operating Leach’s system. How well Barbay transitions MSU's offense and whether Rogers adapts to the change will chart the course for Arnett's tenure.

Blake Toppmeyer is an SEC Columnist for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @btoppmeyer.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Tommy Rees to Bobby Petrino, 5 coordinators who will shape SEC football