Here is a look at what each SEC coach was talking about during this week’s teleconference:
Les Miles, LSU
On if former Michigan coach Bo Schembechler would have any opinion on his current situation:
Miles asked what Bo would say to him now: "I think that Bo would have a very strong opinion, enjoyment of giving it. I would listen." #LSU
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) November 25, 2015
On status of WR Travin Dural:
WR Travin Dural will not play Saturday. Will need three months to recover from injury suffered against Ole Miss.
— Glenn Guilbeau (@SportBeatTweet) November 25, 2015
On his job status:
Les Miles on job status: "I’m not going to look to defend or make a case. That’s not what I’m going to do. I love the place."
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) November 25, 2015
#LSU coach Les Miles: I’m the kind of guy who is easy to read. Hard to divide myself and talk about what I’ve done. I’m working on gameplan
— JimKleinpeter (@JimKleinpeter) November 25, 2015
Miles said he has not spoken to Joe Alleva in the last week. Spoke LAST Sunday "about a matter." #LSU
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) November 25, 2015
LSU Coach Les Miles handles Qs on SEC call about his future with class. Very cordial in tough situation.
— Bob Holt (@BobHoltADG) November 25, 2015
Shawn Elliott, South Carolina
On approach he’s taking to final game of his interim tenure:
Shawn Elliott: "Hopefully let out a little frustration. Go out there and be loose, have fun and try to finish this thing up as best we can."
— David Cloninger (@DCPandC) November 25, 2015
Elliott: "I've done everything in my power in six years to make this the best football program it can be. We've had some great seasons."
— David Cloninger (@DCPandC) November 25, 2015
Elliott: "I'm certainly proud of our football team about how they've hung together and stayed with one another."
— David Cloninger (@DCPandC) November 25, 2015
Jim McElwain, Florida
On lesson from winning his first SEC championship as OC at Alabama in 2009:
“Maybe I’m not as screwed up as I think I am.’” —Mac on what he learned about himself after winning 2009 SEC CG with Bama
— Scott Carter (@GatorsScott) November 25, 2015
On play of QB Treon Harris:
McElwain says Harris done a good job on keeping some drives alive, some third-down plays. Still has to get better. The 10 around him too.
— Scott Carter (@GatorsScott) November 25, 2015
Derek Mason, Vanderbilt
On playing Tennessee while sporting a losing record:
Per Vandy's Derek Mason, you can throw out the records during rivalry games. Big, if true.
— Matt Baker (@MBakerTBTimes) November 25, 2015
On attention being paid to Evan Berry and Vols return game:
Derek Mason on Tennessee: “We know we are facing one of the top return teams in the country this week.”
— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) November 25, 2015
Nick Saban, Alabama
On Iron Bowl:
Saban on Iron Bowl: "This is 1 of the great rivalries in college football & we certainly have a tremendous amount of respect for (Auburn)."
— Alex Byington (@_AlexByington) November 25, 2015
On former assistant coaches having success as head coaches:
https://twitter.com/Safid_Deen/status/669558369640800257
On the amount of patience administrations have with coaches (in reference to Les Miles/LSU situation):
Saban on "less patience" in CFB: "I think there probably is a little less patience at all levels. … I think there's a little less tolerance"
— Alex Byington (@_AlexByington) November 25, 2015
On going up against Auburn DC Will Muschamp this week:
Saban on playing vs. Muschamp: "Anytime you play against somebody you've worked with, you get an idea of what they like to do." #MGMAuburn
— Matthew Stevens (@matthewcstevens) November 25, 2015
Butch Jones, Tennessee
On his team’s journey to a 7-4 record:
Butch Jones calls Tennessee one of the best stories in all of college football. OK.
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) November 25, 2015
Butch Jones: “Our players have done a tremendous job to be sitting at where we are. Many people tried to throw dirt on us.”
— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) November 25, 2015
Bret Bielema, Arkansas
On Gary Pinkel:
https://twitter.com/DavidCMorrison/status/669562174738530304
On sending his players out right on senior day:
Bielema: Our seniors have been through an unusual odyssey. … Sure would like to send them out on a winning note.
— Thomas Murphy (@TomMurphyADG) November 25, 2015
On QB Brandon Allen finally finding his way as a senior:
https://twitter.com/DavidCMorrison/status/669561853098397696
On advice he’d give for playing Alabama’s defense:
Bret Bielema was asked what advice he would give for facing Alabama's defense. His response: "I'd spend a day in prayer."
— Charlie Potter (@Charlie_Potter) November 25, 2015
Gary Pinkel, Missouri
On potential of playing a bowl game even if the Tigers lose:
Pinkel on SEC call, reiterates that AD Mack Rhoades will make decision if MU would go to a bowl at 5-7
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) November 25, 2015
On Arkansas TE usage:
https://twitter.com/DavidCMorrison/status/669564747734368256
His final moments on teleconference as a coach:
https://twitter.com/DavidCMorrison/status/669565878472589313
Pinkel gets intel during SEC call that there's a new Mizzou-Arkansas trophy. "The last one you needed four players to pick it up."
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) November 25, 2015
Hugh Freeze, Ole Miss
On SEC QB play this season:
Hugh Freeze says there's merit to criticism of SEC qb play: "It’s not what it’s been in years past. I don’t think that means it’s bad."
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) November 25, 2015
Freeze points out the three exceptions to rough QB play in SEC: Dak Prescott, Brandon Allen and his guy, Chad Kelly
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) November 25, 2015
Freeze on Dak: He’s one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC the last few years.
— Michael Bonner (@michaelbbonner) November 25, 2015
Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M
On defensive coordinator John Chavis returning to LSU this week:
Sumlin on Chavis: "He's walked into that stadium many times. I know it's important to him. Emotional thing for him." #LSU
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) November 25, 2015
On if he had advice for beating Alabama defense:
Sumlin's advice on Bama D? "First thing you have to figure out how to block them. It sounds simple, but it's more difficult than you think."
— Alex Byington (@_AlexByington) November 25, 2015
Mark Stoops, Kentucky
On his team breaking its five-game losing streak last week:
Mark Stoops on the SEC teleconference: "Definitely pleased with the way our team responded after a tough stretch."
— Jon Hale (@JonHale_HL) November 25, 2015
On injuries:
Stoops says Alex Montgomery does need surgery, will be out for some time, but he expects Montgomery to go through rehab process.
— Jon Hale (@JonHale_HL) November 25, 2015
Dan Mullen, Mississippi State
On QB Dak Prescott:
Mullen on Dak: So far this season he’s proved to be one of the best players in the country.
— Michael Bonner (@michaelbbonner) November 25, 2015
Asked Mullen about Dak not being a finalist for O' Brien Award: They don't give me a vote for that stuff. I don't even know criteria for it
— Michael Bonner (@michaelbbonner) November 25, 2015
Mullen on coaching Prescott: "He has such a great attitude. He's always coming in to get better and it's going to be missed."
— Courtney Asher Smith (@CourtneyHoops90) November 25, 2015
Mark Richt, Georgia
Weighing in on the Iron Bowl:
https://twitter.com/BarrettSallee/status/669577204867735552
On injuries:
WR Isaiah McKenzie (foot) is questionable still for Georgia Tech. Mark Richt sounds more optimistic about DL Trent Thompson (ankles).
— Marc Weiszer (@marcweiszer) November 25, 2015
Gus Malzahn, Auburn
On QB situation:
Gus Malzahn says Auburn not closer to naming a starter at quarterback. It'll happen later in the week.
— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) November 25, 2015
Auburn's Gus Malzahn said QB Sean White practiced Tuesday and "looked solid." His status for Iron Bowl still undecided.
— Auburn Gold Mine (@AUGoldMine) November 25, 2015
On Alabama TE O.J. Howard:
Malzahn on Alabama TE @TheRealOjHoward: "He's a big guy with receiver like skills, … he's definitely a mismatch."
— Alex Byington (@_AlexByington) November 25, 2015
Nick Cole is a former print journalist with several years of experience covering the SEC. Born and raised in SEC country, he has taken in the game-day experience at all 14 stadiums.
