Freddie Maggard's SEC Media Days Diary: Day Three
7:00 AM: Good morning. Got my stuff packed, heading downstairs for Kentucky Takeover Day here at SEC Media Days. Slept like crap, again. I was too excited to sleep which has been the norm this week. There were a bunch of talking heads eating dinner where I ate last night. That was really cool seeing folks I watch on the television. I still can’t believe I got to meet Marty Smith and Ryan McGee. Every time I’ve run into them here they’ve said hello. Really nice guys. What you see is what you get with those two which is rare. I also talked to Cole Cubelic. I’m so proud of him. He’s now an A-list Head and that’s awesome. Love that dude.
7:03 AM: Heading back upstairs. Forgot my media credential. I hate elevators, so that’s pretty scary for me to have to make another trip to my room. These elevators are glass so it’s not as bad. I’m an idiot. Stayed true to my word and did not participate in the Mercedes Benz Stadium tour and dinner last night.
7:16 AM: First one in the main media room, again. I like getting here early to make sure I get the same two seats for Nick and me. I’m a creature of habit. Interested in Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman. I really like him from afar, can’t wait to hear him this morning. The coffee is rolling, on cup three already. That’s either a good or bad thing, we’ll see. Drew Franklin would really enjoy this event. There are Dr. Pepper dispensers all over the place and he could drink all the free soda that he could handle. Georgia fans are already lined up for autographs and pictures. I’ve gotten to watch Nick Roush in action this week. Dude works really hard and is great at his job. There’s a whole heck of a lot more into this line of work than you could imagine. Respect. I think I like Hoover more than Atlanta. But, I have to admit it was great to see Coach Claiborne’s display at the College Football Hall of Fame. I spent a few minutes with him. That’s all I got to say about that.
9:05 AM: Arkansas Head Coach Sam Pittman
I like this guy. Pittman seems like a normal dude that’s living a dream coaching in the SEC. He’s an offensive line coach and it shows. That’s a compliment by the way. Just saw Lonny Demaree, the UK crowd is starting to show up. John Clay has been here from the beginning. Nick just got here and he’s all dressed up, looks sharp. I didn’t dress up today. Back to Pittman. Linebacker Bumper Pool is here as well. Maybe the best name at Media Days? How long has he played at Arkansas? Has to be twelve or so seasons by now.
Pittman doesn’t try too hard like Eli Drinkwitz and Shane Beamer. His humorous and humble personality is on full display and I’m liking it. He’s not up there bragging about his shoe game which is refreshing. Pittman’s opening remarks went on for twelve minutes.
Pittman’s Best Quotes
Q. The Hog statue on your property, can you explain the backstory as to what led to that. Was that before or after you had a new contract coming?
SAM PITTMAN: I like that last pitch. The Hog statue. I bought the marlin house, and big old marlin had a big marlin over here, had a guy catching a marlin over here. The guy over here, he was like this, he was hooking the marlin on the other part of it.
Jamie and I bought it on August 1st. August 3rd the storm came through, knocked the marlin down. Marlin shot water into the lake. So my mind went to a slobbering hog. Insurance company came through. Brandon White was the guy I called about the hog. I just thought the hog was going to be out there. This thing is incredible, to be honest with you. He’s got lights on him, red, whatever color lights you want. The water shoots up. It looks like he’s slobbering down into the lake.
That’s the story behind it. It’s really kind of cool. Boats on parade coming down to the house, they call the hogs. A sign that says, Don’t get on the hog. A few people that do. I wish they’d read the sign.
Q. You brought up the schedule. I don’t know if you know this, but you’re 16-6 against the spread. I wanted to say thank you.
SAM PITTMAN: How much?
Q. 16-6.
SAM PITTMAN: Go Hogs
10:25 AM: The College Football Hall of Fame is jumping. The Champs are here. Athens is just a little over an hour from Atlanta. The Dawgs certainly have a home-field advantage for SEC Media Days.
10:30 AM: Just ran into Jon Hale. Nice guy.
10:35 AM: Kirby Smart is on center stage
Commissioner Sankey said in his introduction that Smart’s family is currently watching Stranger Things on Netflix. Smart is old school and talks pretty fast. He’s not a flashy sneaker snob like certain other SEC head coaches nor does he try too hard (Drinkwitz-Beamer). He’s won a title, so he doesn’t have to try to impress anyone. Smart’s opening remarks lasted eight minutes. The UGA HC is impressive on the podium. But, my mind is kinda drifting to lunch. I’m hungry and it’s free. I’m posting a detailed preview for Georgia. You can read Smart’s best quotes and learn all about the Bulldogs there.
11:16 AM: Lunch was quick, good, and free. Didn’t stuff my face like yesterday. Got to stay focused on Kentucky Takeover Day. Ate chow with Nick Roush, Lonny Demaree, Jon Hale, and John Clay.
12:00 PM: Nick is upstairs for UK’s local media gathering. I’m chasing video hits all over this place. Florida is up next. New head coach Billy Napier won’t excite on stage but I like the hire. He’s an organizer and will deliver physicality back to the Gators. That program needed both. It was odd watching UF get bullied last year. Stay tuned.
12:40 PM: Patience running a little thin. Fatigue has set in and I’m out of condition. Florida is up in 20 minutes. Just a handful of Gator fans in the lobby. Debating whether to grab another cup of Joe or not. (Update: I got another cup of Joe.)
12:50 PM: I’m not as sore as yesterday. My back and backside were agonizingly painful from sitting all day.
1:00 PM: Florida HC Billy Napier is on the center stage.
This is Napier’s first appearance at SEC Media Days. I’d be a nervous wreck. The media hall is actually pretty crowded to hear the first-year coach. He’s much younger looking than he appears on television or in photos. Normal dress shoes, he gets points for not being Beamer or Drinkwitz. I like this guy.
1:09 PM: Napier’s opening remarks come to a close. Nine minutes was a good start for the first year head coach. You can read my detailed preview for the Florida Gators on KSR.
2:25 PM: Kentucky Head Coach Mark Stoops. Stoops was awesome. Go to the KSR website to see all about it.
3:20 PM: I got to ask DeAndre Square and Kenneth Horsey questions at the press conference. They both smiled when they saw me. That made my trip. I cried a little, hadn’t talked to those guys in a few years. Love those dudes. You can see the videos on my Twitter feed @FredMaggard606.
4:06 PM: I’m finished with the writing portion of the day. Packing up to go upstairs. Nick and I will record a video with Drew and then record the Depth Chart Podcast. Hope that you’ve enjoyed today as much as I have. Thanks for following along.
Football State.
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