SEC Football Media Days; First Day Recap

SEC Football Media Days has officially taken over Hoover, Alabama. On Monday, Auburn, Florida, and Vanderbilt all took turns on the podium speaking about their programs.  SEC  Commissioner Mike Slive began the proceedings with some opening remarks on what he hopes the new NCAA model will look like.

“We have created the initiative to restructure the NCAA in accordance with our vision for the 21st century with the support of student athletes at its core,” Slive said.  “The vision includes the NCAA’s enactment of a governing system that will provide greater autonomy for the SEC and the other four conferences for the benefit of student athletes.”

After Slive finished with his comments, Guz Malzahn, head coach of the Auburn Tigers, spoke about his team.  Malzahn is coming off his first year as the head coach of the Tigers in which he led them to the BCS National Championship Game. Malzahn says the goal for his team this year is to be more balanced.

“Our big goal offensively really was balance, we want to be more balanced. We were very good at running the football. We really worked hard on trying to make defenses pay for rolling an extra safety down and taking chances,” he said.  “So that was kind of our mindset, Coach Lashlee (offensive coordinator) and his staff did a very good job of doing that.”

Florida was next and all eyes became fixed on Gator head coach Will Muschamp, quarterback Jeff Driskel, defensive lineman Dante Fowler Jr., and cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III.  This year there is added pressure on Muschamp after Florida comes off a 4-8 season, their worst season since 1979. Despite Muschamp being on the “hot seat,” he still feels confident heading into the upcoming season.

“There will be a lot of chatter about hot seat business and that’s part of it and the way you combat that is having a good football team which we’re going to have, and winning football games is what we’re going to do,” he stated.

Muschamp believes quarterback Jeff Driskel will benefit from their new up tempo, shotgun spread offense installed by new offensive coordinator Kurt Roper. Driskel said he’s looking forward to showcasing the new scheme this season.

“I think the game’s just moving towards having to score points and you want to get in as many plays as possible, so that’s kind of Coach Roper’s mindset,” Driskel said.  “He’s a positive coach and he’s going to put players in position to be successful. So we’re really lucky to have Coach Roper and we’re excited to get going in camp.”

Although most of the talk on Monday was about their new offense, one thing still remains; Muschamp is still about defense. Florida defensive lineman Dante Fowler Jr. echoed that viewpoint.

“He’s a defensive minded coach and that’s what really caught my eye when I was in high school.” Fowler said.  “He’s a great defensive minded coach, the plays that he has drawn up, just the way he works around his defense. He’s very versatile.”

Fans will have the chance to get their first glimpse of this rejuvenated football team when they will begin eight open practices starting Thursday, August 7th. The Gator season opener is scheduled for August 30th against Idaho, 7 p.m. at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Vanderbilt was the final school to attend SEC Football Media Days on Monday with its new coach Derek Mason.   On Tuesday, South Carolina, Mississippi State, Texas A&M and Tennessee will be at the podium.

To listen to audio from the story, click below:

Slive on restructuring the NCAA

Slive on the vision of the SEC

Malzahn’s goal for his team this year is to be more balanced

Muschamp on how to deal with being on the hot seat

Driskel on the new offense

Fowler on Muschamp being a defensive minded coach

 

About Jeremy Rogers

Check Also

Orange & Blue Sports Network

Catch the student-led broadcasts from the College of Journalism and Communications right here.

LIVE THREAD: National Signing Day

Here’s an updated thread of all the recruits who picked the Gator hat today! RB …

AFC Divisional Round Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers

During last weekend’s NFL Wild Card round, the Steelers made a statement by handing the Dolphins a …

Houston Looking For an Upset in Foxborough

The saying has always been “it’s hard to beat a good team twice,” and in …

Blue Jackets vs. Lightning Tonight

The Columbus Blue Jackets and the Tampa Bay Lightning will be facing each other once …

Possible Additions to McElwain’s Recruiting Class Visiting this Weekend

With National Signing Day less than three weeks away, the Gators are hosting several talented …

Florida Gymnastics Prepares for Season Opener

GAINESVILLE, FL – The Florida Gator gymnastics team will kick off their season this Sunday …

Surprised Gators Promote Randy Shannon To Defensive Coordinator? You Shouldn’t Be

Florida’s head coach, Jim McElwain, announced Friday morning that Randy Shannon would be making the …

Quarterbacks in Spotlight for NFL Wild Card Weekend

The NFL Wild Card kicks off Saturday and the quarterback situations could not be any more different. On …

College Football Playoff Shakes Up Schedule

The College Football Playoff was a success in its first year. Yet, that doesn’t stop …

Michael Jordan Speaks out about Shootings, Police Officers

NBA great Michael Jordan opened up about his thoughts about shootings of African-Americans and the …

Treon Harris to Transfer

With the college football season approaching, the Florida Gators have announced that former starting QB …

USA Basketball Wins Second Exhibition Game

Just a few short days after their big win over Argentina, team USA won its …

Charlotte Is No Longer The Home Of The 2017 NBA All-Star Game

The House Bill 2 came between Charlotte, North Carolina and the 2017 All-Star Game. The …

Tampa Bay Rays Continue Series Against Oakland

The Tampa Bay Rays are continuing their three-game winning streak. The Rays defeated the Oakland …

MLB Preview Tonight

It’s summer time—the best time to go to a baseball game and experience the atmosphere. …

Braves Begin Series With Rockies

The Atlanta Braves (33-62) open up a four-game road series with the Rockies (43-51) tonight …

Marlins To Close Out Series With The Phillies

The Miami Marlins are in the middle of a crucial ten game span against NL East …

Rays Crush Rockies 11-3, Face A’s Next

In the midst of a terrible season that has seen the Tampa Bay Rays (37-57) …

American League Second Half Outlook

The second half of the baseball season is in full swing which translates to? Pennant races. Teams …

National League Evening Preview

Tonight is a busy night for the National League in the MLB. Starting with the …

Big 12 Looks To Expand

Following a Tuesday meeting between Big 12 presidents, Oklahoma president David Boren announced that the …

LSU Looks To Capitalize On Its Opportunity

The Louisiana State University Tigers will enter the 2016 college football season with high expectations, …

Muschamp Helps Close Out SEC Media Days 2016

It wasn’t Will Muschamps first SEC Media Days experience, but 2016 marked the first time …

Phil Mickelson Leads British Open After First Day

The 145th annual 2016 British Open is underway at Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland. The …

Missouri’s Football Crisis: Rebuilding A Program

On the final day of SEC Media Days, Barry Odom took the stand as Missouri’s head …

Second Half Of MLB Season Begins

The All-Star Break is a good time for teams to rest up and reform themselves …

British Open Underway

The 145th Open Championship is already underway at the Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland. Welcome …

Newberry Scrapes Past Buchholz Off A Stellar Performance

 NEWBERRY — The Newberry Panthers junior varsity lacrosse team beat the Buchholz Bobcats 5-4 with …