SEC Media Days 2016: Highlights, Comments and Twitter Reaction from Monday

For the first time since 2004, the belle of the SEC media days ball was nowhere to be found. Steve Spurrier's absence cast a shadow over Hoover, Alabama, on Monday as things got underway for the 2016 session.  

The Head Ball Coach and owner of roughly the 1,000 best quotes from the SEC dog and pony show retired as South Carolina's head coach six games into the 2015 season, ceding his program and the spotlight to a new generation. Spurrier had been a head coach at an SEC program for all but three years (2002-04) since 1990.

Auburn's Gus Malzahn, Florida's Jim McElwain and Vanderbilt's Derek Mason all spoke on opening day, along with SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. Here is a look at some of the most notable quotes from each respective press conference and reaction from the always-reasonable SEC fandom.

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey

Sankey refused to say his conference had a problem with off-field issues despite a number of ongoing cases at multiple schools, per Alex Scarborough of ESPN.com: 

"

If we really evaluate what's at the center of some of the recent articles, we're talking about some issues that probably occurred in 2012 and 2013 that are just being adjudicated. We might be talking about one or two or three individuals and their misbehavior. I don't think that attaches properly to the entire conference. The body of work in this conference far outweighs those problems, yet we are attentive to those realities. We understand when the issues arise, we need to be even more attentive, whether that's on campus or as a collective group.

"

Ole Miss is under investigation for alleged NCAA violations, while Tennessee recently settled a Title IX lawsuit regarding its handling of alleged sexual misconduct. Missouri men's basketball has also run afoul of NCAA bylaw.

“Our institutions are expected and will continue to handle these matters with integrity,” Sankey said, per Scott Rabalais of the Advocate. “We hope both of the current matters are completed in a timely manner. We understand there are issues that arise. That’s why the expectation for integrity is so high. And as we move forward together, we can’t have any more of those issues arise." 

Going further, Sankey took the time to explain the conference's policy on incoming players. While transfer students can and are restricted for past criminal activity, that is not the case for incoming freshmen. When asked why that's the case, Sankey offered a detailed response, per Scarborough:  

"

Our working group spent a lot of time dealing with that. A couple of concerns were consistently identified with that. A couple of concerns that were consistently identified, which is, what can you know, what can you learn through something, particularly one's juvenile past. Can you access information in a consistent way? When someone enrolls in college, they're generally an adult, you expect you'll have access to more consistent information to make decisions.

So we as a group decided and said, let's go further on transfer issues, since they have been adults on a university campus.

"

Sankey also took the time to address the deaths of Alton Sterling, Philando Castile and five Dallas police officers last week, per Rabalais:

"

Last Monday, we, as a nation, celebrated Independence Day. Parades, field days and fireworks provided gatherings that are special that bring people together in America. One week seems like a long time ago. The sadness from the past few days remains on all of our minds, and it’s appropriate to make that observation up front as it remains in our hearts as well. This is one of those times in our nation where we weep, we mourn, for those families and cities who have experienced loss.

"

Dan Wolken of USA Today commented on the measured approach Sankey took:

Gus Malzahn, Auburn

Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

After Auburn posted a 15-11 record over the past two seasons, Coach Malzahn is sitting on an increasingly hot seat three years after leading the Tigers to a national championship game berth. Malzahn's offense has sputtered, nosediving all the way to 80th in total offense in 2015. 

Auburn's 27.5 points per game last season were a dozen fewer than its 2013 run. Malzahn spoke of his desire for a return to form, per James Crepea of AL.com:

"

Offensively, one thing we have focused on in the spring and will in fall camp, getting back to playing with pace. That's the edge of ours in the past, and that's got to be the same this coming year. Also executing at a high level. We always pride ourselves in executing at a high level. Last year we didn't dote get that done. Those were the two focuses from my standpoint to get this thing turned around so we can play quality offense like we expect.

"

Malzahn said one way he looks to ensure a return to form from the Tigers is getting more involved in the day-to-day coaching and play-calling himself: 

"

One thing that really hit me pretty hard is that I got to be more active with the daily X's and O's and coaching that goes with that. And that's what I look at as my strength. And so that's what I meant by that, and I'm looking forward to getting back in the middle of things and enjoying the actual coaching on the field.

"

Malzahn categorized the way things fell apart in 2015 as "humbling": "We had high expectations, and we do every year. We weren't able to reach our goals. And that was very frustrating, and it was very humbling to go through an experience like that. And I think you got to evaluate everything, like we talked about. You got to figure out a way to improve."

The coach cited his team's failures in close games as the biggest reason the Tigers dropped toward the bottom of the conference:

"

In this league, you're going to have a lot of close games. The two previous years, we were one of the best in the country at winning close games. And we had opportunities. And usually it comes down in this league to two or three plays in these close games, and you got to find a way to make them and you got to have your guys prepared and you got to be able to execute.

"

Saturday Down South noted the amusement of the mostly by-the-books presser:

On the subject of domestic violence, Malzahn said "we do our homework" on who Auburn brings in:

"

Matter of fact, we do our homework thoroughly on everybody we recruit. I've said before as far as domestic violence is something that we don't touch. But we do our homework on everyone we bring in the program. There's a lot of information out there these days, which makes it—makes it better. But, you know, that's just our approach.

"

Jim McElwain, Florida

Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

After McElwain's largely successful debut season at Florida, a lot of his presser revolved around the discussion of other programs. McElwain, who was Nick Saban's offensive coordinator from 2008-11, said the Alabama head coach could go for as long as he wants.

"I think he can go forever," McElwain said, per Michael Casagrande of AL.com. "That's just how he's wired."

"I didn't see one less bounce in his step, anything like that," McElwain continued. "And you know what? He's—the guy's something special."

A member of the media also asked McElwain about Florida State supplying its players with state championship rings after it defeated Florida, Miami and the University of South Florida last season. His response was one of bemusement while also arguably throwing a little shade at his own administration.

"Well, I mean, they won it, so why wouldn't you?" McElwain said, per Thomas Goldkamp of 247Sports. "That's a hell of a deal."

"I don't really get that jacked up in that stuff," McElwain continued. "I've got too much to worry about with our guys, and yet I know what a great job they do up there and what a great program they have. [Head coach] Jimbo (Fisher) has done an outstanding job, when he took over changing that thing and winning a bunch of ballgames.

"I don't know whether our administration has it in our budget to do that. I don't know."

Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports commented on the curious nature of the presser:

"

McElwain’s been asked more about other teams than his own.

— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) July 11, 2016"

On the subject of his own team, McElwain offered insight into the statuses of receivers Antonio Callaway and Treon Harris. Both were suspended from the program in January and have returned to the team for workouts. They have not, however, been fully reinstated.

"Right now they're obviously back on campus, doing team workouts and some things like that," McElwain said, per Matt Baker of the Tampa Bay Times. "Nothing's been resolved yet, and there's really not a time frame on it."

"More than anything, the help you have academically at Farrior Hall and the Hawkins Center is huge. That's really what it's all about. We'll see," McElwain continued.

Derek Mason, Vanderbilt

First, let's pay respect to Mason and his dope suit:

Seriously, this thing is a one-in-a-kind beauty:

When the conversation finally turned to his football team, the Vanderbilt head coach revealed himself as a dreamer who has high hopes for the Commodores.

"This football team knows how to compete," Mason said, per Evan Reier for TideSports.com. "But it's not about competing, it's about winning. ... We let some things slide, we missed some opportunities, and that has not gone unnoticed by this football team."

Vanderbilt is 7-17 in Mason's two seasons. However, the team improved to a 2-6 record in SEC play last season—thanks in part to the head coach retaking defensive play-calling reins.

"People looked at me a year ago and thought I was crazy for going back and calling defense," Mason said. "But that's my wheelhouse. I'm a head coach who understands exactly what my strengths are."

Mason also took time out to back his selection of rising sophomore Kyle Shurmur as his starting quarterback.

"Towards the end of the season, you saw an occasion for a young quarterback by the name of Shurmur," Mason said. "He played some meaningful football in those last three-four games. That's important. I have named Shurmur the starter, that's where we are. ... He is the guy to lead this football team."

Also of great importance:

"

Derek Mason says your first SEC game is like Neo's first fight vs Agent Smith, so at least one coach has seen a movie in the last 20 years

— jason (@JasonKirkSBN) July 11, 2016"

If nothing else, Mason had the most entertaining of the press conferences Monday.