What the SEC West coaches said on the spring media teleconference

Spring practice is over, and now the offseason shifts to summer and fall preparations.

The SEC West coaches spoke to the media during a teleconference on Thursday to update the status of their programs. Of course, satellite camps were the prevalent question among all the coaches. However, some coaches had very specific. and important, things to address.

Here’s a recap of what each SEC West coach said on Thursday:

Nick Saban, Alabama

On personnel decisions (DL coach Bo Davis’ resignation): “We’re all about trying to do things right here at Alabama.”
More on Bo Davis: “Not gonna comment on personnel decisions or NCAA investigations. We’re trying to do it right. We wish Bo the very best.”
On the coaching search to replace him: “We’re working on it. We’ve interviewed a few people, but now isn’t a great time (to be searching for a coach).”
On satellite camps: “We’re going to participate in satellite camps on a limited basis. Our goal is to get kids to campus.”
On playing USC in the opener on Sept. 3: “We like it because they are a quality opponent. They do have a lot of good players. They’re well-coached.”
On Alabama’s NFL draftees: “I think all of our players made a good decision based on the information we had.”
On spring practices: “I was really pleased and excited about the spring practice we had. Not quite satisfied with where we are.”

Bret Bielema, Arkansas

On satellite camps: “We’re going to go where we need to go. We’re setting up agreements right now.”
More on satellite camps, Bielema said he’s calling it Hogwild Tour 2016. He added that Arkansas has already been offered 84 opportunities to go to camps and is looking to go “global.”
On WR Keon Hatcher’s foot surgery, Bielema said he had soreness on the final day of spring, and the surgery was to reinforce previous work and to do a bone graft to strengthen the foot. He’ll be out 4-6 weeks and should be back by June.
On spring practice: “Very excited with the way we got through spring camp. Good crowd and gave us a chance to let some young players get some experience.”
On the offensive line: “The offensive line the one guy who jumped out is Hjalte Froholdt. Frank Ragnow will play center or guard. Brian Wallace we might use at tackle or guard, we might move Dan Skipper back to guard. Zach Rogers can play center or guard, Deion Malone might play guard. Jake Heinrich could play right away.”
On the running back concerns: “The running backs from the outside looking in there will be always concern. I have no concerns at running back. Rawleigh Williams III has improved. I picture him who can be a 1,000-yard rusher, Kody Walker could be a 1,000-yard rusher.”

Gus Malzahn, Auburn

Malzahn said there is no update on the four players arrested last weekend.
On spring practice, Malzahn said there weren’t any major injuries.
On RB Jovon Robinson: “‘This spring was really great for him … he’s in a good spot.”
On satellite camps, Malzahn was in agreement with Nick Saban in saying that there was great value in getting prospects to campus and around the school’s facilities.

Les Miles, LSU

On the team’s potential this season: “With 18 returning starters, a veteran team and a good youthful class, we are looking forward to the fall.”
When asked about satellite camps this summer: “We’ll be in north Louisiana and the Shreveport area.” He added that they’ll have a youth camp in NOLA, then a high school camp.
More on satellite camps, Miles said they’ll work in connection with the New Orleans Saints to conduct a camp for high school-aged kids.
On playing Wisconsin in the season opener: “Our philosophy of schedule … is the right thing to do. We are going to be challenged.”
On hiring defensive coordinator Dave Aranda: “We looked for a quality DC. He was the best by far. We were fortunate, he was pursued by several coaches.” He added: “When we lost (Kevin) Steele, we wanted to go get the best.”
More on Aranda: “Very knowledgeable. Not a screamer, hollerer. He’s going to teach you why, to think.”
On defensive scheme: “We’re still going to play a 4-3 and have some 4-3 personnel, but we’re going to be 3-4 as well.”
On the injury concerns along the offensive line: “I think offensive line will be the strength. We’ll have everybody back for our summer camp.”
On the team’s quarterbacks: “All three QBs have improved in decision making and mechanics. I like our personnel on offense.”

Hugh Freeze, Ole Miss

Freeze’s first response to a question about the Laremy Tunsil investigation: “There is great wisdom in being patient.”
More on the Tunsil investigation, Freeze said he knows nothing, that he’s not involved in the fact-finding process, and “I was shocked like everyone else.” He added that he was told the school has made a lot of progress.
On what procedures Ole Miss is going to take: “(Ross and I) haven’t even discussed the next step. You get the facts first and then you’ll know a lot more after that what they are.”
On safety Tony Conner, Freeze said he’s real excited about the reports of his recovery.

Dan Mullen, Mississippi State

Amazingly, Mullen wasn’t actually asked about satellite camps. Just thought I’d mention that.
When asked if there was any update on five-star DE Jeffery Simmons: “Nope.” Then, he was immediately asked how the evaluation process of his case has gone: “Good.”
Mullen on one of his players that was taken in the NFL draft: “One of the players said something great to me, ‘Coach, you don’t always tell us what we want to hear, but you tell us what we need to hear (in regards to their prospects).”
On the team’s spring, Mullen joked by saying that the Bulldogs were probably the only school to have their quarterbacks be live, but that he won’t allow that in the fall.
On his quarterback battle, Mullen said he’s open to playing multiple quarterbacks early in the season. No quarterback has separated himself yet.
More on quarterbacks: “I never put a timetable on it, because I don’t know what they (the four quarterbacks) will do on their own over the summer.”
On the potential of his team this season: “The season will really be determined by what our guys do on their own and how they push themselves.”
On the defense, Mullen believes the unit has a chance to be better than last season, but the scheme won’t change: “The philosophy of the MSU defense doesn’t change as long as I’m the head coach.”

Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M

Sumlin was pretty brief in the conference call. On the Aaron Moorehead situation, and the team’s social media policy: “Yeah we do (have a team policy). It’s America, and our policy has been if you abuse the privilege, you lose the privilege. I’ll put it that way.”
More on Moorehead: “I’ve addressed it with Aaron, and we’re still working through it. He’s taken responsibility for his actions, and then we’ll move on from there.”
On satellite camps: “I’m not interested in a camp in Pennsylvania…But Penn State is interested in having a camp in Dallas and Houston.”