SEC Media Days: Issues, investigations, predictions and coaches on hot seats
On my way to Hoover. I wrote this for tomorrow’s print section, but you get to see it first! . . .
Georgia coach Mark Richt won't have to guess which question he'll be asked about most at SEC Football Media Days this week. (AJC photo)
WHAT YOU’LL HEAR AT SEC FOOTBALL MEDIA DAYS
College football fans rejoice! As of this week, you can officially pronounce the 2011 season underway. No, the actual games don’t kickoff for another six weeks. But the intriguing ritual of preseason propaganda and prognostication begins in earnest today in Hoover, Ala., as SEC Football Media Days gets underway at the Wynfrey Hotel. The SEC will tell us why it’s the greatest conference on earth and provide statistical data to prove it and coaches will tell us why things aren’t as bad – or as good – as they seem, depending on their teams’ particular perspective this season. In anticipation of this exciting annual exchange between teams and the media, here are five things you’re likely to hear about after the event commences Wednesday afternoon.
1. ISSUES AND INVESTIGATIONS: The newly-discovered coaching skill set of “roster management” – aka over-signing — was the dominant topic at the SEC Meetings in Destin in May and there will surely be some residual discussion this week. But the most prominent topic in Hoover will be, or at least should be, the tarnished image of college football amid multiple scandals. We know now, thanks to some excellent reporting by Pete Thamel of the New York Times, that the NCAA’s investigation of BCS champion Auburn continues. On Tuesday, LSU got hit with a year’s probation and recruiting restrictions from the NCAA infractions committee on Tuesday; Tennessee is up next with that group in August; South Carolina received a letter of inquiry this time last year and we’ve heard little since; and Georgia is in the midst of an internal inquiry. Add in the nationally-covered scandals at Ohio State, Southern Cal and Oregon and it’s a good bet this will generate some substantial dialogue this week.
2. MARK RICHT’S WARM BACKSIDE. The Georgia Bulldogs are one of the first teams up on Thursday and the topic du jour most assuredly will be, “Is Mark Richt on the hotseat and, if so, how hot is it?” That question has been bandied about to varying degrees by fans and media alike hundreds of times since Georgia got off to a 1-4 start last season and finished 6-7. For the record, the powers to be at UGA have shown nothing but support for the Bulldogs’ 11th-year coach — “He’s not in my hot seat; he’s still in my lap,” longtime executive board member Bob Bishop said in May. But it’s unlikely Richt will encounter such compassion from the grizzled SEC press, who are doggedly determined to identify those those best suited for their “Coaches on Hotseat” lists in tomorrow’s column. Richt won’t be alone in this distinction. Houston Nutt of Ole Miss will be right there with him.
3. ROCK-STAR COACHES: Speaking of Richt and his supposed warm backside, it’s always about the coaches at SEC Media Days. The SEC is the indisputable powerhouse conference of college football and it produces star players and NFL draft picks galore. But it’s never clearer than when the media assembles in the cavernous ballrooms of the Wynfrey Hotel that coaches are the ruling party of this kingdom. Nick Saban, Steve Spurrier, Bobby Petrino and Les Miles are ushered about like movies stars complete with trailing paparazzi, fawning fans and curious, clamoring reporters. We’ll also hear about the new additions to this exclusive fraternity, Florida’s Will Muschamp and Vanderbilt’s James Franklin. Well, at least one of those.
4. MIGHTY, MIGHTY GAMECOCKS. South Carolina is in the extremely rare position of being the prohibitive favorite to win the East (gonna be a close call between Alabama and LSU in the West). That’s a long-awaited and supremely-coveted place to be for Spurrier, who is in constant need of fuel for his thirsty ego. And the ever-thirsty media will be primed to lap up Spurrier’s quip bombs on hot topics such as over-signing, paying student-athletes out of his own pocket and how to suspend players without them actually having to miss games (see quarterback Stephen Garcia).
5. GREAT RUNNING BACKS: As usual, the league is loaded with elite running backs. Some of them you’ve heard a lot about, such as South Carolina’s Marcus Lattimore, Auburn’s Michael Dyer and Alabama’s Trent Richardson; others not so much, such as Arkansas’ Knile Davis, the league’s leading returning rusher with 1,322 yards; Vick Ballard, the bulldozer from Mississippi State; and Tennessee’s Tauren Poole, the senior from Toccoa who quietly busted 1,000 yards a year ago. Georgia’s Washaun Ealey and Caleb King would have been brought up in this conversation but, of course, they’re gone. Something tells me Richard Samuel might get shut out on the all-conference ballot.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
187 comments Add your comment
SickandTired
July 20th, 2011
8:32 am
Is his seat hot? Nahhh Georgia fans just love him to death. It’s so cute.
DawgInaTruck
July 20th, 2011
8:35 am
This team will wn 8-10 games depending on a turnover or a good/bad break here or there and play in an Outback/Citrus (do they still call it that?) type bowl. We will be much improved from a conditioning and effort standpoint-this is going to be a fun team to watch as it grows. The honest truth is we will have some early season growing pains but a beast come late season.
This, of course, means all the self-appointed experts will still be demanding CMR’s head on a platter. Thankfully they won’t get it. Sorry haters, I talk to a few of the big money boosters on occasion and you may as well toddle off to another board or at least man up and admit you’re a turncoat, he’s staying.
I’m a fourth generation DAWG and some of you so-called fans don’t deserve to ever wear the colors; that is if you have ever invested anything to support the school in the first place. In the end, I doubt you are UGA people, just trolls who have nothing better in your life to do than criticize others.
Russ, the Temporary Mascot
July 20th, 2011
8:35 am
He’ll be sitting on ice with me by the third game.
Trojan
July 20th, 2011
8:35 am
The AJC is hoping for a 6 and 5 season so that the negative headlines can continue.
Bulldog59
July 20th, 2011
8:37 am
1. Lots of unanswered questions for UGA. The potential for a good season is there. SC will be tough to beat in the East though.
2. Should be a good battle in the West between Alabama and LSU.
3. Is Chizik really that arrogant or just plain dumb? The NCAA is much like the IRS. When they come in for an audit, they won’t leave until they find SOMETHING. They hastily ruled Newton eligible last year to keep Auburn in the BCSCG protecting TV ratings and the all important revenues. But, they lost significant credibility with the public and are now trying to wipe the egg off their face. Chizik and Auburn would be better served if he kept his mouth shut. It is always best not to poke a sleeping bear.
Calhoundawg
July 20th, 2011
8:37 am
Haven’t y’all milked this **** enough?
DawginLex
July 20th, 2011
8:37 am
Trojan, considering there is a 12 game season, 6-5 won’t happen.
Anyone else tired of reading all this preseason garbage?
I am.
Joey
July 20th, 2011
8:39 am
The only thing I really hate is for UGA fans who are critical of Mark Richt, called by other UGA fans, “Richt haters.”
Beast from the East
July 20th, 2011
8:39 am
I’m with ya, DawginLex.
Let the games begin!
It’s coming………DawginLexEatenByGator!!!!!!!
Tide Roll
July 20th, 2011
8:40 am
So now your going to ask me to believe that ya’ll couldn’t bring in Chance Warmack, JuWuan James. James Carpenter, A. J. Hawkins, Rokevious Watkins, Brandon Greene, and Joe Harris because your academic standards are higher for athletes than Alabama, S. Carolina, and Tennessee. Ya’ll need to change your name from Dawgs to Commodores and leave the Conference.
ToccoaDawg
July 20th, 2011
8:42 am
Richt isn’t on as hot of a seat as Pauly Johnson
Beast from the East
July 20th, 2011
8:49 am
From EDSBS:
Questions that will not be asked at SEC media days.
“Coach Muschamp, Coach Muschamp… Florida’s yet to be investigated for any major NCAA violations under your tenure. What do you have against fitting in and are you worry about this alienating your peers?”
“Coach Saban — What exact date do you plan to start as Ohio State’s head football coach?”
“Coach Spurrier, is Stephen Garcia here? Because someone destroyed the minibar in my hotel room, and i’d like to blame it on him, not alcoholism.”
“Coach Richt, if God provides, then why did he not give you any offensive linemen?”
Paul N Destin
July 20th, 2011
8:52 am
Until you replace Richt UGA will be page three news. You folks don’t have the guts to take him out but your new AD will!!!The gravy train is over for Richt.
Columbs the dufus…how many programs has Mark Richt rebuilt in his coaching career? I hangup and wait for you stupid answer.
Rooster
July 20th, 2011
8:57 am
Richt and his enitre staff except Grantham should have been gone after the bowl game!!!!!
Tide Roll
July 20th, 2011
8:59 am
Now your going to drive block rather than zone block, and Joe T.’ going to toughen everybody up. You don’t have enough offensive line depth to conduct a legitimate scrimmage, and you better not risk injuries to starters by drive blocking if you do. Georgia has to be ths only major college football program in America who’s 2nd team offensive line is worse off physically than its 1st, and the backups haven’t played a down! Pre-existing injuries to Long (back), and Lee (asthma like condition), make it virtually impossible to count on them. Then what. true freshman and/or walkons? Richt/Bobo mindlessly let all this offensive line talent go to the competition, and then, in spite of the shortage of quality talent, bring in kids that are questionable physically and talent wise. No wonder Richt/Bobo are on the hot seat.They should be. Did they even meet to discuss these issues ? Richt clearly isn’t working as hard as he needs to. It shows up in his personnel decisions, off the field issues, and most importantly, coaching hires. I’m sure we don’t know the half of it, but clearly, he no longer has the time or desire to address the challenges of running a competitive football program. “Oh whatever, are we getting paid today?”
Crowell's Posse
July 20th, 2011
9:04 am
When is the pool party?
shankit
July 20th, 2011
9:12 am
Mark Richt is longest tenured coach in the SEC.
Last ten years, Dawgs wins vs. losses are 4th in conference
behind Florida, LSU and one other.
Alabama and Auburn are 6th and 7th ahead of Vanderbilt,
Kentucky, and South Carolina
Pretty good statistics.
DawginLex
July 20th, 2011
9:17 am
shankit you are wasting your time my friend.
Don’t you know SEC football only started in 2008 when Saban arrived?
shankit
July 20th, 2011
9:21 am
Saban is at the SEC media meeting?
Don’t guess Ohio STate has announced his
return to Columbus to coach his team he
got started with as assisant defensive coordinator
under “Coach Denny.”
shankit
July 20th, 2011
9:28 am
DawginLex – Depends on which team in SEC you are trying
to match up with overall. Florida thinks SEC football only
started in the 80’s (which actually that is exactly when it
started for them). Auburn thinks it started last year, and
Alabama started in 2008.
Midtown Dawg
July 20th, 2011
9:35 am
With all the superstar recruits signed last year and this year, he’s off the hot seat. The dawgs will take over the SEC east this year with crowell and murray and maybe the best D in the SEC. Look for a huge, breakout year, with an upset over usc and blowout wins over florida, auburn and tech. The Dawg is back.
schmeckdawg
July 20th, 2011
9:37 am
Just for conversation, let’s say CMR goes 5-7 in the regular season BUT, ALL 5 wins are in the SEC East. The DAWGS would be in The SEC Championship game. Now, say they win that game. The DAWGS would play in The Sugar Bowl. Now, say they win that game. CMR has 7-7 record with another SEC Championship and Sugar Bowl win, do we keep him? Again, this is just for fun, but THINK ABOUT IT!!!!!!!
Summit Dawg
July 20th, 2011
9:38 am
I sure hope Jack Bull is dreaming in the right direction!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Dawg4Ever
July 20th, 2011
9:46 am
Notice how Georgia is the team/school that gets most of the attention from Georgia fan and non-Georgia fan alike on here? There’s a lot of jealousy out there; otherwise why would a non-Georgia fan comment on Georgia instead of their school. Go ‘Dawgs!
DawginLex
July 20th, 2011
9:47 am
Here is the way I think things have to go for richt to stay beyond 2011
Boise St-W
SC-L (play a tight hard fought game)
CC-W
Ole Miss-W
Miss St-W
UT-L
Vandy-W
KY-W
Florida-W
NMSU-W
Auburn-W
GT-W
Do i believe 10-2 will happen? It could but not likely. He can lose the MSU game and go 9-3 and probably keep his job. If he loses those 3 plus lets Muschamp beat him, he is done.
He could possibly survive at 8-4 but if one of the losses is to Florida, he is out.
9-3 and beat Florida-He is back
10-2 and beat Florida-He is back
10-2 and beat Florida and wins the East-contract extension
Beast from the East
July 20th, 2011
9:50 am
Dawg4Ever,
It’s because we all live in the metro area and the AJC is the local paper. I know that’s really hard to comprehend, but maybe one day the lightbulb will come on.
DC
July 20th, 2011
9:54 am
haha beast from the east! thinking the same thing.
schmeckdawg
July 20th, 2011
9:54 am
@DawginLex: Just for fun, take a look at my 9:37 post. What would you do in that scenario? And again, this is just for fun!
"All da Way Turnt Up"
July 20th, 2011
9:55 am
That seat for CMR is hotter than a goats rear end in a pepper patch.
fall guy
July 20th, 2011
9:57 am
You can play with stats all day to fit whatever argument. Yes CMR stats are good. It will take some losses to dilute them. W-L is one way to look a it. The trend is the problem. Ultimately it comes down to championships NC and SEC, trips to Atl. UF and Bama guessing 1 or 2. LSU 3, followed by AU and UT. Not necessarly in that order. I don’t see UGA better than 6 in the SEC going back to divisional play. All those programs but UGA have NC and undefeated seasons at some point.
Bodda Getta
July 20th, 2011
10:00 am
Dawg4ever,
The reason most fans are here on the UGA blogs is that your fans are so entertaining in your delusion.
We all know how this is going to end and I will admit it is so much fun to watch you all when the train wreck hits again.
The last two years have been a blast and this year is going to be better. Bless your hearts.
Delbert D.
July 20th, 2011
10:06 am
The early years for all those older coaches were 10 game seasons, not 12. Add 1 if they were selected to go one of the 14 to 16 bowls games in those days.
DawginLex
July 20th, 2011
10:06 am
schmeckdawg
I don’t see it.
Beat SC,UF,UT,UK and VU and lose to AU,MSU and OM AND lose to CC,NMSU and GT? Then they beat Alabama or LSU or Arkansas?
Plus, it is not reasonable to think he would lose to CC and NMSU and then beat the SEC West champ and then beat someone in the Sugar Bowl?
He would keep his job because we would be SEC champions but it would be the ugliest thing you have ever seen.
indianman
July 20th, 2011
10:09 am
georgia and alabama in the sec title game
DawginLex
July 20th, 2011
10:09 am
bodda
no sir, delusion is folks like you thinking that Auburn is going to be anything other than a 1 hit wonder.
Cam is gone with the cash along with a bunch of other players.
I can’t wait to witness the arse kicking you are going to receive from Georgia in Athens in 2011.
and the rape job that Bama, LSU and Arkansas are going to put on you will cause you to curl up in a fetal position in the corner and whimper like a puppy
NC football fan
July 20th, 2011
10:13 am
Hey Columbus,
It is great that you quote those stats for other coaches in comparison to Richt. At least for Bear Bryant, 5 or so of his first 10 years his teams played 10 games or less. He was at KY and Maryland for goodness sake. Richt is at GA with incredible talent and incredible resources. Most think Richt is a good coach and great man. Unfortunately they only care about him being a great coach. Is he a great coach? In my opinion, he better become one this season or start polishing up his resume.
schmeckdawg
July 20th, 2011
10:13 am
@DawginLex, As I was saying, the scenario that I laid out was just for fun. I know we won’t lose to CC and NMSU. I was just throwing something crazy out there saying if my scenario played out (which we know if won’t) would you keep CMR with a 7-7 record and an SEC & Sugar Bowl Championship?
Beast from the East
July 20th, 2011
10:13 am
Delbert,
That fact gets lost in the shuffle. 10 win seasons aren’t what they used to be. A 10 win season can come with 4 losses in our current state and that’s really nothing to brag about. I would measure a 10 win season of old with a 12 win season these days.
aprilglaspie
July 20th, 2011
10:21 am
“South Carolina is in the extremely rare position of being the prohibitive favorite to win the East”. You sure about that? Prohibitive? Look that word up. Mr. Lattimore, meet Mr. Jenkins, and Mr. Geathers. 700 lbs. of your worst nightmare, and they actually run faster than you do.
DawginLex
July 20th, 2011
10:24 am
scmeck
You can’t fire him if we are SEC champions and Sugar Bowl champions regardless of the overall record.
Your scenario would cause the blogs to blow up and the AJC would have to get new servers.
Boise State
Coastal Carolina
New Mexico State
Georgia Tech
All 4 would lay claim to being SEC Champions.
It would be wild because we would lose to those 4 but we would beat:
SC
Florida
Tennessee
Bama/LSU/Ark
Sugar Bowl opponent
MikeP
July 20th, 2011
10:28 am
DawginLex, what makes you think Auburn will have trouble in Athens? Auburn’s record there is great, rather like a home field record, 22-15. Auburn will reinforce their ownership of Athens this year.
Also, Auburn has Coach Chizik and his marvelous staff, UGA is stuck with Richt and ol’ Choke-Hold. I’m looking forward to another fun trip to Athens this year. Maybe spiff the streets up a little, it was kind of dingy downtown last time.
Cobb Dawg
July 20th, 2011
10:31 am
Destin Dawg, amen brother (or sister)! *AU’s time is coming soon for all it sins, past and present. Note that many other schools are getting punished for minor infractions and *AU hasn’t even been slapped on the wrist for $cam, The HBO Four, etc., etc., etc., etc., etc.. Do *Aubies not even suspect that the NCAA is conducting a deep, deep investigation of the program?!?! *Aubies, that whistling noise you hear is a bomb being dropped from 30,000 ft by an NCAA bomber. It’s coming Barners, it’s coming.
schmeckdawg
July 20th, 2011
10:35 am
@DawginLex, Yep that was my point. There is no way to fire him even @ 7-7 if he wins an SEC & Sugar Bowl Championship! Just trying to lighten up the kill CMR mood a little. Thanks for playing along.
Keep Hunkerin’!!!!!!!!!!
DawginLex
July 20th, 2011
10:37 am
We are going to hammer Auburn.
You folks think richt is not competitive. He is.
You folks think Richt doesn’t remember how last year felt? He does.
Auburn won’t win in Athens.
Auburn will most likely lose to UGA, Bama, Ark, MSU and Clemson.
Back to normal
shankit
July 20th, 2011
10:41 am
What about this scenario?
Richt is fired at mid season.
Rehired to another Division 1 school for 2012.
Dream team requests transfers to follow Richt?
Could happen.
UGA Insider
July 20th, 2011
10:42 am
The real problem at UGA is the person you named in the article… Bob Bishop. Who helped hire the puppet Greg McGarity. Answer me this Dawgs fans??? Why do we tolerate mediocrity in our men’s top three athletic programs?? Other than “DawginLex” someone please tell me the last men’s NC we have held in either Football, Basketball or Baseball? As I have said here before regarding our football program. According to my numbers after attrition and injury, UGA could have as few as 60 scholarship players suiting up this year. Does anyone think we can win with those numbers? The answer is no. I think we will only win 5 this year. Our basketball team is in total rebuilding mode as always and likewise with the baseball. Yet the executives allow this because UGA is so profitable. Let me tell you something that will sting but is true… UGA will NEVER win another NC in the 3 major sports because it is not a goal of the administration. We are closer to Vandy now than UF as far as athletics are concerned. The truth hurts but there it is…. Now think when the last NC we held in any of the major 3 then think of how many SEC teams have won since then..It’s really embarrassing. I wish I could fire Bob Bishop and the rest of those hacks!
Mobile Dawg
July 20th, 2011
10:44 am
I’m not a Richt hater, it’s just that the bar has been raised “significantly” in the SEC by programs and coaches since CMR has been at UGA. His won/loss record the first six years was steller. How does it average over the last four since the bar has been raised by Saban, Meyer, Petrino, Miles, Chizik, Mulling, others? Don’t understand why some of you can’t see that. Noise from the masses may have been what it took to wake up Mark Richt. Let’s hope so. I’m in need of some Gator A$$ among other things.
PreyDawg
July 20th, 2011
10:47 am
@Columbus, @Valdosta Dawg, @Dirty Dawg: Thank you, thank you, thank you guys for standing up!! These are the Dawg fans I want to tailgate with and sit next to. Yes, we are concerned and dissapointed about the last couple of years, but we dont throw our team and coaches to the wolves PRE SEASON!!!! In some ways all of us in the fan base are hypocrites. We want to contend every year in the toughest conference in the NCAA. Well guess what…that takes big, strong, fast guys. Sometimes these types of guys have been catered to their whole lives because they are big, fast, and strong. Then we expect them to behave like choir boys. Then when (with no athletic dorms) our coaches cannot keep over 100 of these kids in line 24/7, 365, we and the media attack those same coaches.
I know they get paid alot but that is an AWFULLY high set of expectations.
Dirty Dawg: Always enjoy your posts big man. Enjoyed them last year. Keep up the good work. Sure wish we at least had Thomas for the Boise Game. Sure hope our linebacker stays eligible. Sure wish Sturdivant could have played this year. What a heartbreaking career for a great kid.
We DESPERATELY need the true freshman back to be the real deal. I mean we need it bad. If he is the real deal the Dawgs have to be a favorite. But I need to see him stay healthy and see him do it in a game first. I am scard of a post I saw on another site about this kids Facebook page. If it really was his page the dude has character issues already.
Beast from the East
July 20th, 2011
10:49 am
Mobile Dawg,
You are 100% correct. It’s gotten pretty dang tough in the SEC. The pressure focred Meyer to step aside. Rough conference and no one cares what anyone did 5 years ago. Sad but true.
Dawgs Tell
July 20th, 2011
10:58 am
Richt is NOT on the hot seat this season!!Over the past ten years he has obtained political capital with the administration,alumni,and large money contributors.Has he made mistakes? Yes,but who in life can look in a mirror and say they never made a mistake.Does he know he has made these mistakes? Yes and he has taken steps to correct them.They will not be corrected over night,but they will be corrected.If he goes 8 and 4(which I predict);he still is not on the hot seat this season.However, 7 wins or less with losses to Fla.and GT will cause the burners to be turned on for next season.Let,s give the man a chance to see what he does this season.From what I hearing from Athens you will see a different Dawg team on Sept.3.Go Dawgs!!