SEC media days hit Tampa with six new coaches and a title drought
The SEC arrives in Tampa chasing the Big Ten, carrying six new head coaches and big questions from Alabama to Vanderbilt.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
4 min read
The SEC’s annual media days are in Tampa for the first time, and the league arrives with a problem it is not used to carrying: four years without a national championship.
CBS Sports’ Brandon Marcello framed this week’s event around a conference in transition, with six new head coaches, a coming nine-game league schedule and the Big Ten fresh off a third straight national title in January.
The stakes vary wildly. Texas is staring at championship expectations. Arkansas is trying to climb out of a 2-10 season. LSU has Lane Kiffin at the microphone. Ole Miss has both a quarterback boost and an NCAA matter hanging nearby.
The title-track crowd
Georgia remains near the front of the SEC line after two straight conference titles, though Marcello noted the Bulldogs have exited the College Football Playoff early in back-to-back seasons. Quarterback Gunner Stockton returns, and the defense brings back eight starters. RotoWire, cited by CBS Sports, found Georgia has the youngest roster in the FBS with an average age of 19.81 years.
Texas may face the brightest spotlight. CBS Sports pointed to three straight 10-win seasons, back-to-back playoff berths before missing last year’s CFP, the arrival of Arch Manning at quarterback, a strong transfer class and the hiring of Will Muschamp as defensive coordinator. A Week 2 visit from Ohio State to Austin is presented as an early measuring stick.
Texas A&M also enters with plenty to prove after starting 11-0 last season, then losing to Texas and later to Miami in the CFP, according to CBS Sports. Marcel Reed is back at quarterback, but the Aggies are replacing much of the offense and coordinator Collin Klein. Road trips to LSU, Alabama and Oklahoma add teeth to the schedule.
Oklahoma, meanwhile, is coming off a 10-win season and CFP trip after going 5-7 the year before. CBS Sports said the Sooners need a healthier John Mateer and better offensive line play to match a defense that improved after Brent Venables took over play-calling.
New coaches, new noise
LSU’s first media-days turn with Kiffin is expected to draw attention. CBS Sports noted Kiffin tried to walk back spring comments about Ole Miss recruiting, and also reported LSU signed the nation’s No. 1 transfer class with 41 additions.
At Arkansas, Ryan Silverfield takes over after a 10-game losing streak and an 0-8 SEC finish. Marcello reported the Razorbacks added 42 transfers, including quarterback AJ Hill and six other players from Silverfield’s former Memphis team.
Auburn’s new coach, Alex Golesh, arrives from South Florida with quarterback Byrum Brown and five receivers. CBS Sports noted Auburn has not had a winning season since 2020, its longest such run since the 1940s.
Florida turns to Jon Sumrall after the Billy Napier era. CBS Sports said Sumrall has averaged 10 wins per year and reached a conference title game in each of his four seasons as a head coach at Troy and Tulane.
Kentucky hired Will Stein, who quickly landed the nation’s No. 11 transfer class, according to CBS Sports. Quarterback Kenny Minchey, formerly of Notre Dame, is the headline addition.
The rest of the SEC board
Alabama: Kalen DeBoer enters his third season with questions about offensive identity after the Tide ranked 123rd nationally in rushing at 104.1 yards per game. DeBoer said in May that “balance” and “perspective” matter, while pointing to tackling as an area Alabama does well.
Ole Miss: The NCAA opened an investigation after Clemson coach Dabo Swinney accused Rebels coach Pete Golding of tampering with linebacker Luke Ferrelli, CBS Sports reported. No response from Golding was cited in the preview. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss was granted another year at Ole Miss by a local judge.
Mississippi State: Kamario Taylor, described by CBS Sports as the highest-rated quarterback in program history, is set to lead Jeff Lebby’s third team. Former head coach Zach Arnett is back as defensive coordinator.
Missouri: Eli Drinkwitz has beaten unranked teams and struggled against ranked ones. Pick Six Previews, cited by CBS Sports, lists him at 0-16 against SEC teams with winning league records.
South Carolina: Shane Beamer is coming off a 4-8 season. CBS Sports highlighted LaNorris Sellers’ health, offensive line issues and the arrival of coordinator Kendal Briles.
Tennessee: With Joey Aguilar losing a court case for another season, the Vols are choosing between George MacIntyre and freshman Faizon Brandon at quarterback.
Vanderbilt: Diego Pavia is gone, and five-star freshman Jared Curtis, the highest-rated recruit in school history, is expected to start behind four new offensive line starters.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS Sports.