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Twitter AI hilariously casts big-name actors to play every SEC coach

FaceProfileby:Thomas Goldkamp•about 12 hours
SECCoaches

The AI revolution continues full steam ahead, and there are some fun use cases for sports fans out there. How about famous actors as SEC football coaches?

One intrepid user on Twitter took that idea and ran with it, using Grok, Twitter’s AI service.

Using the AI tool, Alex Dunlap created an entire thread of actors who look vaguely like SEC coaches. Grok did the heavy lifting, swapping out the actors’ faces for their SEC football coaching counterparts. The result? Absolute brilliance. Let’s take a look at Dunlap’s terrific work below.

Josh Heupel (Shane Gillis) and Lane Kiffin (Justin Timberlake)

The Tennessee head coach gets us underway in the thread from Alex Dunlap, the first SEC coach to get the Grok treatment. Heupel is portrayed by comedian Shane Gillis, who has hosted a number of comedy specials and Saturday Night Live, among other appearances.

Second up is Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss. Kiffin is replaced by singer and actor Justin Timberlake, and the Grok capturing of the two is perfect… Timberlake has an almost Kiffin-like scowl. Check them both out below.

Steve Sarkisian (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Jeff Lebby (Jonah Hill)

Next in the list of SEC coaches is Steve Sarkisian, fresh off a deep run with Texas in the College Football Playoffs. He is played by actor Jake Gyllenhaal, who pulls off the perfect “what could have been” look in his portrayal.

Jeff Lebby from Mississippi State follows close behind, with actor Jonah Hill filling in. Hill has had a number of looks over the years, but the scruffy beard look fits Lebby just right in the SEC actors portrayal. Check ’em out below.

Eli Drinkwitz (Steve Carell) and Hugh Freeze (Adam Sandler)

The SEC coaching list gets an infusion of comedic talent with our next two targets, starting with Missouri‘s Eli Drinkwitz. Drinkwitz is swapped out with Steve Carell, who would undoubtedly be hilarious trading barbs with his SEC peers.

For Auburn coach Hugh Freeze, Adam Sandler is the selection. Sandler combined with Freeze provides an uncanny combination of the two, taking on a weathered look … something Freeze can probably relate to after two years on the Plains.

Brent Venables (Tom Cruise) and Kirby Smart (Nick Offerman)

Next up on the SEC coaching carousel is Oklahoma head man Brent Venables. Venables gets the honor of a Tom Cruise portrayal, and the AI has done a nice job subbing in a very young-looking Cruise in Venables’ stead.

Meanwhile, Georgia coach Kirby Smart gets a gruff personality in his actor: Nick Offerman. The Parks and Recreation star is very no-frills, which fits Smart’s persona to the letter. Check them out below.

Billy Napier (Chris Pratt) and Mark Stoops (Jack Black)

The Florida head coach has been embattled at times during his tenure but is coming off his best stretch yet after a four-game winning streak to close the season. Who better to portray someone on a hot streak than Chris Pratt, the do-it-all mega star?

Kentucky coach Mark Stoops gets an interesting actor to play him, with Jack Black the selection. Could the actor and musician bust out a little bluegrass music to soothe the fanbase?

Shane Beamer (Mark Wahlberg) and Kalen DeBoer (Tom Hanks)

The South Carolina coach is also coming off his best season with the Gamecocks, despite a disappointing finish in the bowl game. So who does Shane Beamer get? None other than Mark Wahlberg.

As far as the next SEC coach, Alabama‘s Kalen DeBoer is set to be played by Tom Hanks. Hanks actually gets a bit younger in the swap, though he still looks a bit troubled by the current state of affairs. And with DeBoer feeling some heat currently, that’s probably fair.

Sam Pittman (Chris Farley) and Clark Lea (Jim Carrey)

Arkansas coach Sam Pittman cooled the considerable heat on him quite a bit during 2024, and he gets portrayed by a man who was remarkably cool under pressure: Chris Farley. The talented comedian was one of the best, and he actually pulls off the Arkansas hoodie quite well.

The Vanderbilt coach is coming off some serious success, with Clark Lea energizing the entire fanbase this year. He’s played by Jim Carrey, one of the funniest actors of his generation. It might be a bit of a stretch on the personality but looks-wise it’s close enough. See for yourself.

Brian Kelly (Will Ferrell) and Mike Elko (John C. Reilly)

The talented tandem of actors from Step Brothers and Talladega Nights links up to take the SEC West by storm, starting with LSU coach Brian Kelly. Kelly pulls Will Ferrell, and he looks pretty serious in front of the Death Valley crowd in Grok’s portrayal.

Finally, Texas A&M boss Mike Elko is played by John C. Reilly, Ferrell’s friendly compadre. As far as looks go, this is one of the best to our eye.