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College Football

2015 SEC Media Days: Day 2 Recap

Kevin Duffey

By Kevin Duffey

Published:

The SDS crew is onsite this week in Hoover, Ala., covering the 2015 SEC Media Days. If you missed the coverage today, here’s your day 2 recap…

Spurrier Is Great, Again

KEVIN DUFFEY: The Ol’ Ball Coach was his usual self to open the second day of Media Days which means he was fantastic. He was funny, open about his emotions of last season, and reflective at times over what he’s learned over the years. Whether it was strolling in with his shades on, taking a jab at Tennessee and Arkansas within the opening seconds of his remarks or just talking about getting back to being a top ten team at South Carolina, Spurrier was Spurrier today. And Spurrier is great.

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BRAD CRAWFORD: Stranger things have happened. That’s how Steve Spurrier described South Carolina’s chances in the SEC this season, an unfamiliar feeling considering the Gamecocks’ recent success prior to last fall’s disappointing 7-6 campaign. The Head Ball Coach is upbeat, excited and anxious to prove the Gamecocks aren’t an Eastern Division bottom-dweller most are expecting this season.

Additional South Carolina Coverage from Media Days

Sumlin Promises to be boring

KEVIN DUFEFY: Kevin Sumlin opened up his appearance explaining he probably won’t be as funny as Spurrier, and that he promised his wife that he wouldn’t be combative. In other words, he’s going to be pretty boring!

As Sumlin went on about various topics, I started to think about his job security. Even though he can be a little boring and long-winded, he is sharp and really impressive. Barring a total disaster of a season, I don’t think Sumlin goes anywhere near a hot seat even next offseason. Facilities are top notch. Recruiting is going well. Fans and boosters are good. Things are going well at Texas A&M.

CHRISTOPHER SMITH: Kevin Sumlin did not play coy or talk around it: Texas A&M needs to get stronger and more physical at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Everyone wants to talk about new defensive coordinator John Chavis, but hiring offensive line coach Dave Christensen away from Utah as the Utes’ offensive coordinator may be even more important. The team wants to be able to run the ball in short-yardage situations and with leads. A more physical running game also will help the defense prepare better in practice every day.

Additional Texas A&M Coverage from Media Days

Dan Mullen feelin’ loose

KEVIN DUFFEY: Wearing some sort of Kanye West shoes, Mullen had a great time at Media Days. Whether it was talking about his fancy ADIDAS shoes or telling the SportsCenter folks about StarkVegas, Dan Mullen seems like he’s feeling no pressure after completing a season in which his team went five weeks ranked No. 1 in the nation.

The result is a Dan Mullen that speaks openly about a number of topics, and it was really interesting. Contrast this with Vanderbilt’s Derek Mason who was quite nervous and tried his best to control the narrative, or Florida’s Jim McElwain who kept things pretty safe and generic.

Mullen hit on a range of topics: Dak’s NFL future, why the SEC is tougher than other conferences, how students can stash some money away for a non-football future, the confederate flag topic, and more.

Mullen is in a good place.

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CHRISTOPHER SMITH: Dan Mullen’s limited-edition Adidas sneakers generated some buzz Tuesday. In a sign of the media demographics, one reporter was overheard asking if “those are orthopedic shoes.” Despite most media members projecting a seventh-place SEC West finish for the Bulldogs, that encapsulates the mood of the team here in Hoover, Ala. — relaxed and confident after last year’s extended run to No. 1.

Additional Mississippi State Coverage from Media Days

Butch Jones, CEO, Tennessee Football

KEVIN DUFFEY: Jones started off with a great response to Spurrier’s comment about how Tennessee and Arkansas were doing cartwheels after going 7-6 last year. Not only was it done without inflaming he situation further, but it was a great explanation of how teams can overachieve or underachieve.

From there, the press conference became less entertaining, but Butch Jones is all business and doesn’t stray much outside of standard coach-speak. But that’s his style, and frankly, it’s working. His players are buying in, and big things are happening in Knoxville.

https://twitter.com/SDS/status/621046244287234048

BRAD CRAWFORD: I liked Tennessee’s business-like approach on Tuesday in Hoover. From ‘CEO’ Josh Dobbs’ razor sharp focus to Butch Jones’ lengthy speech on ‘the process’, the Vols appeared to welcome unfamiliar pressure of preseason expectations. Dobbs is Tennessee’s obvious leader by example, along with linebacker Curt Maggitt and standout corner Cam Sutton.

Additional Tennessee Coverage from Media Days

Kevin Duffey

A graduate of the University of Florida and founder of Saturday Down South, Kevin is a college football enthusiast.

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