Tuesday Afternoon Notes from the SEC Spring Meetings
Drew Franklin got me itching to write an afternoon notes post. Thankfully there are a few interesting nuggets flowing from the SEC Spring Meetings. First and foremost, we must discuss the seating chart.
SEC Spring Meetings Seat Chart
This is where you’ll find everyone in the room where it happens. Unfortunately, Nick Saban is not elbow to elbow with Jimbo Fisher, although the two unceremoniously crossed paths today.
Stoops and Kirby Smart are boys. Even though Georgia has Kentucky’s number, the defensive guys are kindred spirits. You can’t say the same thing about the guy sitting on the other side of Stoops. What in the world could he be talking to Brian Kelly about?
My favorite combination is Drinkwitz-Leach-Kiffin. It’s like Greg Sankey punished the loud-mouthed jock by forcing him to eat lunch with the nerds. What a trio.
SEC Coaches Behind Podiums
For years the event was an informal gathering. A few lurking media members might pull a coach or an AD to the side for a conversation that produced a story or two. It wasn’t much, but it was something in the middle of the summer. This year we have radio shows broadcasting live from Destin and coaches speaking at press conferences in front of an SEC backdrop.
It Just Means More.
Saban vs. Fisher Loses Steam
Nick Saban keeps playing Mr. Nice Guy and I don’t like it. Since Jimbo Fisher went nuclear on the Alabama head coach during an impromptu press conference, Saban has diffused the situation. “I have no problem with Jimbo, I have no problem with Jimbo at all,” Saban said as his nose grew three inches.
Minor Transfer Portal Change
As the NCAA moves to create static transfer portal windows, the SEC is following suit. This spring an SEC football player had to notify their school by Feb. 1 if they intended to transfer to another SEC school and receive immediate eligibility. The league is proposing to move its intraconference transfer deadline to May 1, consistent with the NCAA deadline. If passed, players will now be able to compete in spring practice before ultimately deciding if they want to take their talents to another SEC school.
Do NOT Call them Pods
Saving the best for last, the new schedule format is the most interesting topic up for discussion this week in the Florida panhandle. SEC officials are insistent they will not go to a pod scheduling format, even though it smells and sounds a lot like pods. There’s one slight difference in the favored proposal. Instead of a round robin between four teams, each SEC school will play three rivals annually.
A source tells Matt Jones Kentucky’s would currently include Florida, Tennessee and Vanderbilt, not a bad draw at all. Rather than a round robin with the four teams, under the proposed format Florida could still play Georgia in the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.
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