What they said about Alabama at 2024 SEC Media Days: Day 4

Alabama already made the rounds at SEC Media Days on Wednesday, July 17, but there was still plenty said about the Crimson Tide on Day 4 inside the Omni Dallas Hotel. To wrap up the event on Thursday, Arkansas, Auburn, Kentucky and Texas A&M took the stage.

Below is a roundup of what opposing coaches and players said about UA at SEC Media Days.

ARKANSAS COACH SAM PITTMAN

On former Alabama head coach Nick Saban…

“The other thing I want to say is about Coach Saban. When Coach Saban (showed) interest in me, it changed Jamie and I’s life. It changed our life financially, changed our life in myself having confidence in my ability.

“Then whenever I went to the head coach’s meeting, it goes in alphabetical order and I sit right next to Coach Saban. I’m not saying he took me under his wing, but I was nervous sitting next to him. I’m sure I asked him more questions than what he might have want to answer. But he answers every one of them.

“I think there is a reason why I went and worked for Kirby (Smart) at Georgia. Had a lot to do with Coach Saban. Derek Dooley started at Tennessee, but Coach Saban is the GOAT and he is someone that our league is going to miss dearly. I just wanted to talk about that.”

AUBURN COACH HUGH FREEZE

On getting his team up for big games as an underdog…

“Truthfully that’s probably a weakness of mine because maybe I should plan the way I do for those when we’re not the underdog. I don’t know that that’s accurate, but it makes me feel that way.

“I don’t mind being the underdog. I enjoy going to places that have great programs. I enjoy going to play Georgia and Alabama. We should embrace that. LSU, Ole Miss, all the difficult places that we’re going to have to go. I’ve always enjoyed that.

“I let it be known to our players that I enjoy it, and you better, too, you better enjoy it. So embrace those opportunities because truthfully you take a Liberty team into Arkansas and win, into Virginia Tech and win, those are memories now. Those are memories. An Ole Miss team into Bryant-Denny and win. Those are memories.

“So it’s opportunities, and maybe I need to figure out how to be more consistent in the motivation for all 12 games. We played really well in the Georgia and Alabama game this past year. We were right there with chances to win those games. That gave me more confidence that Auburn can return to being Auburn.

“Look, there’s only six schools – y’all correct me if I’m wrong – since 2010 that have won a national championship and played for one. Only six. I get to coach at one of those six.

“That is the belief our fans should have. That’s the belief our administration should have. The way they support our program financially and everything else that they do for us. That is certainly the view our players should have. We want recruits to see it that way.

“I mean, six in the nation. I get to coach at one of those that has won it and played for it since 2010. We’re very blessed. But we need to get the roster right. I need to make improvements where I need to with our staff so that we’re more consistent in all games, not just the underdog role.”

KENTUCKY COACH MARK STOOPS

On former Alabama OL coach Eric Wolford…

“Also bringing back Eric Wolford. Coach Wolf and I worked together many years ago, our first job at the University of South Florida. We were roommates and lived in a dorm and made $12,000 apiece, I think, at that point in time. But worked with me for one stay and then went to Alabama for a few years and got him back, but I love what Eric brings and the mentality that he has, the toughness, and obviously the recruiting that he brings to it, as well.”

On former Alabama coach Nick Saban…

“Also Coach Saban, I want to recognize him by retiring. I’ve been in the league now 12 years, and I really enjoyed being around Coach and listening to him in meetings. A lot of people ask me what he’s like or thinking that he’s overbearing or demanding in there. Don’t get me wrong, Coach is passionate at times. But always, it was never about self-interest. To me, he always was worried about college football. He was worried about the betterment of college football and making young people better. I truly believed that.

“And listening to him and the arguments, the debates that we’ve had for 12 years and just the knowledge that he brought and still brings, people need to listen to because he’s one of a kind in what he’s done, and congratulations to him for retiring and still being around it.”

ARKANSAS DE LANDON JACKSON

On if he felt Alabama had O-line issues or he just had a good game in Tuscaloosa…

“A little bit of both. I just studied film and found a few weaknesses and tried capitalizing on those weaknesses. I feel like overall they got — they had one of the best units in the country last year. They just had a few little problems, but every team has problems at some point.

“But, I mean, phenomenal players. Tyler Booker is a great player, and overall their whole unit. I mean, they had JC Latham last year. Their whole unit is really dominant on the offensive line. I feel like they’re going to be just as good this year.

“I mean, I think I had a good game, but I got to make that into multiple games throughout the year and put up more games like that to be who I think I should be.”

On which is a tougher place to play – Alabama or Auburn…

“That’s a tough question (laughing). I like playing at both. I don’t know which one to say is really tougher because I’ve performed better at Alabama’s, but at the same time I feel like Alabama’s fan base is a little bit more wild.

“I mean, I enjoy both stadiums. I really like playing at both stadiums. They’re much better than a few that I’ve played at. So really excited for that game.”

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