What food would each SEC football head coach bring to Thanksgiving?

What food would each SEC football head coach bring to Thanksgiving?Story byDylan Flippo, Aggies WireTue, November 25, 2025 at 12:30 PM UTC·7 min read

It is officially rivalry week for all SEC teams, which means spreading a little holiday cheer could be exactly what everyone needs before the chaos ensues.

Food is something that typically brings people together and under one roof, whether they like each other or not. Thanksgiving and the holidays in general mark the season of giving and caring for one another, among other things. For SEC head coaches, it means the postseason is rapidly approaching. Postseason implications and bragging rights for every team across the league are at their peaks, as some programs must continue to win, while others are waiting for the right opportunity to spoil their rivals' eggnog with a win in Week 14.

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Before this weekend's slate, and the hatred that makes up SEC rivalries officially begins, it is integral that inspect what each head coach in the conference would bring to a combined Thanksgiving dinner:

Kalen DeBoer (Alabama) - Apple Pie

Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer encourages his team as Auburn Tigers take on Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. Alabama Crimson Tide defeated Auburn Tigers 28-14.

Apple pie is an American classic that everybody typically loves. There are usually no negative comments, and it is elite on pretty much all levels, which is why it is a perfect depiction of DeBoer's Alabama Crimson Tide squad this season. It is a consistent, proven and worthy Thanksgiving dessert. It has the feeling of a natural winner, but there are better options out there. Again, very much similar to DeBoer's play-calling and the ups and downs in Tuscaloosa in 2025.

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Kirby Smart (Georgia) - Turkey

Head coach Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs looks on during the fourth quarter against the Charlotte 49ers at Sanford Stadium

Ah, yes -- the Thanksgiving turkey. It is the main course on the slate for almost every Thanksgiving reunion. It rejuvenizes the functions, makes you feel like a true winner and can sometimes put you to sleep all at the same time. Very typical of Kirby Smart's team this year, with plenty of its respective positives and negatives. It is the centerpiece designed to be the measuring stick for all other dishes. The ultimate and most elite source of protein and perfection. Be on the lookout for that dry, odd-looking turkey when the Crimson Tide rolls into town, though.

Mark Stoops (Kentucky) - Dressing

Nov 8, 2025; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops is interviewed after the game against the Florida Gators at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

It can be a hit, or it could be your worst nightmare at a holiday get-together. The dressing is a classic in the South and can bring joy to so many, as it usually signifies the start of the season of giving. However, what it gives, it also taketh. It is eerily similar to Mark Stoops' last two years in Lexington, Kentucky, which have been marked by travesties all around. When the dressing is good, it is really good, but the bad ones make you want to leave immediately. That sums up how most Kentucky fans feel about Stoops still being employed.

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Jeff Lebby (Mississippi State) - Deviled Eggs

Nov 15, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Jeff Lebby reacts to play against the Missouri Tigers during the first half of the game at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Sneaky, low-key and the definition of a Southern staple. The deviled eggs and Jeff Lebby's Mississippi State squad have more in common than most would ever think about. People who see these at a Thanksgiving function either love them or pass without hesitation, kind of similar to the typical MSU fan's thoughts on Lebby. You also never know exactly what version you're going to get. It could be the most amazing delicacy, or it could be bland and leave a bad taste in your mouth for days after.

Eli Drinkwitz (Missouri) - Rolls and Butter

Oct 18, 2025; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz celebrates after his team beat the Auburn Tigers in overtime at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images

Soft, dependable, warm, and almost always clutch. The rolls and butter have to ensure that everyone knows they are present. No matter who decides to overlook them, they typically end up stealing the show and being one of the most underrated sides at the table. Coach Drink is basically a golden-brown dinner roll with butter, sometimes wearing glasses, who wins 8 or more games every year.

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Brent Venables (Oklahoma) - Mac and Cheese

Nov 22, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables reacts after the game against the Missouri Tigers at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Typically, the macaroni and cheese is a lovable, crowd-favorite that people love to cheer for. It can be cheesy at times, but it is fun and flavorful. When it is good, it is the best dish of the day, but a poorly made version could absolutely devastate Thanksgiving. Not for the lactose-intolerant people, which, in this case, is Texas fans.

Lane Kiffin (Ole Miss) - Turducken

Nov 15, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin stands on the sideline during the second half against the Florida Gators at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

While this dish may confuse many people, it leaves you with three decisions of food all at once. Well, we all know what that means, right? Along with its unique design with three different types of meat, it also provides flash, untraditional and controversial aspects that will leave everyone confused and wondering... why? Something tells me some Ole Miss fans in Oxford, Mississippi, are feeling similarly.

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Shane Beamer (South Carolina) - Cranberry sauce

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 22: Head coach Shane Beamer of the South Carolina Gamecocks embraces Jared Brown #14 after winning their game against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 22, 2025 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Matt Kelley/Getty Images)

Beamer's sweet, yet loud and a little extra at times, personality screams cranberry sauce. Some love him, but others absolutely despise him. Those who don't take to Beamer usually don't understand the hype. I am here to tell you that he definitely believes in his team and would do whatever it takes to ensure his team succeeds. The highs are incredible, but the lows bring pure despair, such as the 27-point lead the Gamecocks gave up to Texas A&M in Week 12.

Josh Heupel (Tennessee) - Sweet Tea and Pecan pie

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel leaves the field after a football game between Tennessee and Florida at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla., on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023.

Speedy delivery and pure, high-octane sugar are what fuel the Tennessee offense every Saturday. Heupel believes in making an immediate splash, kind of like when someone walks in with a brand-new pecan pie and an unopened jug of sweet tea. However, it does not take long before it runs out, kind of like the Vols when they enter November. It is always fun and fast-moving, with enough sweetness to last an entire year if made correctly. It still seems like something is missing in Heupel's recipe at times, though.

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Steve Sarkisian (Texas) - Gravy

Oct 11, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian before the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Smooth, elevates everything around it and typically pieces a meal together. The gravy is the glue that can help determine happiness, while also making the whole plate elite if made correctly. When it breaks, it tears the whole day apart. Basically, Texas in one dish.

Mike Elko (Texas A&M) - Mashed Potatoes

Nov 15, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Mike Elko reacts during the second quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Mike Elko's squad has been smooth, steady, dependable, yet not extremely flashy. Very similar to a well-made mashed potato side dish at a Thanksgiving dinner, it is an essential part of what we think a winning plate should look like. After years of chaos in Bryan-College Station, Texas, Elko is the glue that has fixed the problems at Texas A&M under prior leadership.

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Clark Lea (Vanderbilt) - Pumpkin Pie

Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea celebrates their victory over Auburn after the game at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025.

The pumpkin pie has become one of the more forgotten dishes of the holiday season. Similar to Vanderbilt's underrated season under quarterback Diego Pavia, this dish still finds itself wondering why it hasn't received any attention. While it is a reliable dessert, it can also just hide in the corner while everybody forgets it's even there. Pumpkin pie is wholesome, lovable and overall a good food, but it is rarely the first thing anyone goes for.

Fired Four (Arkansas, Auburn, Florida and LSU) - Seven-Layer Dip

For those who could not join us at the table, we combined all of the former SEC head coaches who were fired this year into one big four-layer mystery dip. The foundation is Hugh Freeze's base layer of refried beans, similar to Auburn's quick, yet unstable, season. Billy Napier's sour cream thins out the second layer, as it looks good but deceives everyone on the first bite. We have some gourmet guacamole for Brian Kelly, who is enjoying his expensive buyout by adding this exquisite dip that nobody truly cares about. Sam Pittman brought the cheese because he's a good guy everyone truly loves, but couldn't get it together—shaken, but never broken.

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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: What Thanksgiving dish each SEC football head coach would bring

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