First Down Kentucky: Lessons Learned from Day 1 at SEC Media Days

The 2024 edition of SEC Media Days is unlike any other, stepping outside of the league’s traditional footprint into the Lone Star State. Following Greg Sankey’s address, Vanderbilt, LSU, Ole Miss, and South Carolina stepped into the Texas spotlight. Allow KSR to share what happened in the most ridiculous manner possible.

iPads are Coming to SEC Sidelines

The addition of radio technology in helmets headlined the offseason college football rule changes, but there’s an equally important one coming to sidelines this fall. The SEC has partnered with Apple, giving each program iPads to use during games. The technology should benefit most teams, but Ole Miss’ Lane Kiffin is not a fan.

“I really wasn’t for it but that’s just for my own reasons,” Kiffin said. “I’d rather the other team not have it because we go so fast that I don’t think they see a lot of it. So now it allows them to see what really happened. Most coaches were for it. Like anything that comes in with new college rules we’ll just try to maximize the situation and do the best with it.”

Ole Miss uses its fast tempo as an advantage. That advantage is mitigated now that opponents will be able to identify keys in between possessions.

SEC Media Days Hijinx

The league is embracing everything that Texas has to offer. That means they are subjecting coaches to ride a mechanical bull at SEC Media Days. I’m sure Mark Stoops will be thrilled.

pic.twitter.com/YqUZMbjgzB

— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) July 15, 2024

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Old Faces in New Places

Remember Mike Shula? The son of the winningest coach in NFL history was the Alabama head coach from 2003-06 but spent most of his 30+ years coaching quarterbacks in the NFL. Shane Beamer hired him as an analyst this offseason at South Carolina.

“I see a lot of eyes that just popped up that don’t cover South Carolina regularly that heard that Mike Shula’s on our staff,” Beamer quipped.

I was one of those that missed that news. I also missed the news in January that Jerry Kill is moving to Nashville. Kill was successful during a five-year run at Minnesota but was forced to retire due to health issues in 2015. He wasn’t out for too long and most recently took over one of the worst programs in the sport at New Mexico State. In year two the Aggies opened the season with a loss to UMass and stillwon 10 games, a shocking feat. He once again retired for health reasons, but he’s not too good at staying retired. Clark Lea brought Kill to Vanderbilt in January to revitalize the Commodores’ offense.

LSU QB has Pedigree

The top-ranked offense in college football lost three first round NFL Draft picks, including Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels, yet the Tigers are still projected to finish near the top of the league. Daniels’ successor is a big reason why.

Garrett Nussmeier was a Top 100 player in the 2021 recruiting class and is ready to take the reins this fall. “His persistence, his patience, his leadership — I’m excited to watch him lead our football team in 2024,” said Brian Kelly.

Folks are confident he used that time wisely because the former Texas high school football prodigy has a solid foundation. His father, Doug Nussmeier, is entering his first season as the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback coach. He’s been in the NFL since 2018 after previously spending time in the college ranks at Florida, Michigan, Washington, and Alabama.

Dr. Pepper Jumped the Shark

Dr. Pepper is a fine soda. It packs a lot of flavors into one liquid, creating a delightful experience. Why the folks at research and development felt the need to inject more flavors into it, I cannot comprehend. This is a terrible idea that should have never reached the American public.

SEC Media Days Beef!

Harold Perkins is a great football player. The LSU linebacker is still working on the media thing. It caused him to ruffle some feathers in Norman. The Sooners end their season in Baton Rouge.

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