5 superlatives for Saban and other SEC football coaches after media days

The 2023 edition of SEC Media Days has come to a close in Nashville. Coaches and players from all 14 SEC teams went through the downtown Grand Hyatt’s various rooms, chatting with media members and pitching their respective programs ahead of the season.

As coaches head back to their home campuses and prepare for the 2023 campaign, here’s five superlatives from their time at the podium.

Most effective use of filibuster– Eli Drinkwitz

Missouri’s head coach has a tendency to put his foot in his mouth when faced with a microphone. This year, he was avoiding that at all costs.

Drinkwitz filled his time by running through most of his roster, clearly trying to limit time for questions. It worked, and he made it through his podium time without providing bulletin board material for anyone.

If only his team had been so disciplined when it had a chance to beat Georgia last season.

Least likely to beat the “robot” allegations– Brian Kelly

When Brian Kelly came to LSU from Notre Dame, he wasn’t known for being fun loving or especially loose. He tried to change that with some awkward appearances in recruitment videos, but the efforts were largely lampooned by the college football internet at large.

On Monday, Kelly was asked by AL.com’s Michael Casagrande about the potential impacts of artificial intelligence technology on college football. He did nothing to dispel his robotic reputation, noting how AI could be used in recruiting.

“I think AI has an opportunity,” Kelly said. “Maybe to create that kind of model for us relative to who is that kind of player out there all over the country, without making a mistake. I think that there’s going to be room for it, and I think it’s exciting and something that we’re about to venture into.”

Best taste in baked goods– Nick Saban

Alabama’s head coach isn’t naming his starting quarterback yet. Tyler Buchner, Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson will have to battle it out in fall camp.

Instead, Saban told a story about his grandmother’s cake baking to illustrate that the competition isn’t ready to end yet. He also pointed to his favorite type of cake.

“Carrot cake,” Saban said. “That’s easy.”

Best taste in beer– Sam Pittman

Most of the coaches at media days showed up to say nothing as politely as possible. Arkansas’ head coach took a similar tactic, not revealing much new information about the Razorbacks.

However, Pittman demonstrated his big personality from the podium, joking about Oklahoma and generally seeming to enjoy himself. The coach who has publicly expressed that he enjoys a cold beer was asked about one brand in particular.

“I like an old Hamm’s beer, but you burp a lot afterwards,” Pittman said, going on to recommend the reporter elevate his tastes in alcohol. “You seem like you got a good job, man. Step it up a little bit.”

Most invisible– Billy Napier

Florida’s second-year head coach didn’t have much notable to say. That’s probably for the best, he made it clear when he arrived that the Gator rebuild would take time.

Napier’s team didn’t make a bowl last season, and it won’t be anywhere near one of the conference’s favorites in 2023. The former Louisiana coach has his catchphrase “scared money don’t make money,” but it didn’t make an appearance in Nashville.

And again, that’s probably the right move. Napier can build a program, but it’s going to take patience and Florida fans aren’t known for that trait.