SEC Media Days 2016 arrived with a whirlwind and left leaving media members worn out, Twitter smoldering with quotes and The Wynfrey Hotel in its wake. The college football universe descended upon Hoover, Alabama Monday morning; and by Thursday afternoon, we left with a similar amount of questions.
Monday brought a new motto by the Southeastern Conference proclaiming their worth in the college football universe. “It just means more”, is the motto. Does it mean more to the kids in Jakarta, Indonesia than it does to the adults in Cheyenne, Wyoming? Is it truly worldwide? Nonetheless, the SEC does mean more.
Across the globe, the colors, traditions and impact of a university education in the @SEC… #ItJustMeansMore. pic.twitter.com/feKLs6yBUy
— SEC (@SEC) July 11, 2016
Day Two brought ushered in the debut of Georgia Head Coach Kirby Smart to the podium! His opening statement was akin to a Presidential press conference! Smart’s opening remarks were clocked at 12 minutes. He spoke with considerable command and poise for a rookie head coach.
.@KirbySmartUGA has used his opening statements to show he is prepared for the job ahead #SECMD16 pic.twitter.com/ilduG1pQE1
— Fans Favorite FAN (@FansFavoriteFan) July 12, 2016
Also on Tuesday’s agenda was Mississippi State Head Coach Dan Mullen. The marathon man dodged questions regarding stud freshman Jeffrey Simmons. In March, the five-star recruit was seen repeatedly beating up a woman and subsequently, Mississippi State handed out a one-game suspension, when asked about the incident:
.@CoachDanMullen said Simmons’ 1-game suspension was "university decision. I was thrilled we're having Jeffrey as part of our family"
— Fans Favorite FAN (@FansFavoriteFan) July 12, 2016
Next, University of Tennessee’s Butch Jones avoided mentioning “Florida” during his time at the podium. He also spoke about the upcoming season for star quarterback Joshua Dobbs saying having him lead the offense is “very comforting as a head coach.” The Vols only have 11 seniors this year, but Jones said it’s the most experienced team he’s had as Vols head coach. 17 starters are returning for the 2016 campaign.
“That’s the thing about leadership. Leaders eat last.”
— @UTCoachJones #SECMD16 pic.twitter.com/6XYyqryf2j
— Fans Favorite FAN (@FansFavoriteFan) July 12, 2016
Lastly on Day Two, Texas A&M Head Coach Kevin Sumlin proclaimed his satisfaction for incoming quarterback Trevor Knight, stated his linebackers needed to improve and Johnny Manziel will forever have the support of Aggie Nation.
Sumlin: “Texas A&M filled a void for Trevor Knight as a guy who wanted to play as a graduate transfer … And filled a void for us.” #SECMD16
— Fans Favorite FAN (@FansFavoriteFan) July 12, 2016
.@CoachSumlin on Johnny Manziel: “Bottom line, he’s an Aggie. He’ll always be an Aggie. At Texas A&M, we take care of each other" #SECMD16
— Fans Favorite FAN (@FansFavoriteFan) July 12, 2016
Day Three brought the no-holds barred, steel cage match between the SEC Network’s Paul Finebaum and University of Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban.
Did Paul @Finebaum strike a nerve with Nick Saban on the Cam Robinson situation? Watch:https://t.co/BySCqTJbB2
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) July 13, 2016
Meanwhile, the loquacious Bret Bielema followed Saban. What Saban lacked in soundbites, the Arkansas head coach made up for it with witty zingers and one-liners that would make the “Ol’ Ball Coach” proud.
.@BretBielema: At Arkansas, we're not built very sexy. We need a lot of time in the bathroom to get ready. #SECMD16 pic.twitter.com/Q7kQMpc3o5
— Fans Favorite FAN (@FansFavoriteFan) July 13, 2016
The conclusion of SEC Media Days 2016 brought South Carolina’s Will Muschamp, LSU’s Les Miles and Ole Miss’s Hugh Freeze to the podium.
Will Muschamp is at the podium. Lots of tired and bleary eyes in the ballroom. pic.twitter.com/AmsWonxJMr
— Fans Favorite FAN (@FansFavoriteFan) July 14, 2016
Muschamp was up first and he was grateful for the opportunity to get a second chance to be a head coach in the SEC.
Next, was Les Miles. His commentary regarding the fallout from the Alton Sterling shooting was relevant, relatable and real.
“When you look at the representation of our country on live TV, you understand change is necessary." — @LSUCoachMiles #SECMD16
— Fans Favorite FAN (@FansFavoriteFan) July 14, 2016
.@LSUCoachMiles: I'd like our guys to have a platform to affect change. They're wonderful men, role models. #SECMD16
— Fans Favorite FAN (@FansFavoriteFan) July 14, 2016
Finally, Hugh Freeze finished out SEC Media Days with a quote that sums up his program’s trials and tribulations:
All things come together for good like baking a cake. I don't like the raw eggs or baking soda but when it's together it's good. – Freeze
— Fans Favorite FAN (@FansFavoriteFan) July 14, 2016
The media picked Tennessee to win the East and Alabama to win the west. Here’s how it broke down:
#SECMD16 SEC East Predictions:
1. Tennessee
2. Florida
3. Georgia
4. Kentucky
5. Vanderbilt
6. Missouri
7. South Carolina— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) July 14, 2016
#SECMD16 SEC West Predictions:
1. Alabama
2. LSU
3. Ole Miss
4. Texas A&M
5. Arkansas
6. Auburn
7. Mississippi State— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) July 14, 2016
More SEC 🏈 accolades.
7⃣ players make the @WalterCampFF 2016 Player of the Year Watch List: https://t.co/qV1FYWZvaX pic.twitter.com/lOXd9rYmwi
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) July 15, 2016
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