Duffy vs. Duffey: Is SEC Media Days dead? How can it be fixed?
https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/sec-football/duffy-vs-duffey-media-days/
Editor’s Note: Kevin Duffey and Ty Duffy recently exchanged a series of emails discussing SEC Media Days, the purpose behind the event and how the event could be improved. That conversation has been published here.
Kevin Duffey:
I’ve been a part of Saturday Down South since its founding in 2010, and every year, I’m very tuned into SEC Media Days. I’ve been to the event each of the last three years and am getting ready to attend again next week.
However, other than giving people like me and other members of the media something to do in July, and to provide media companies some material that makes the content creation process easier, I’m a little unsure at the entire point of this event.
One thing that always seems to surprise me is the lack of interest from typical college football fans. The circle of friends I’ve had for years are all die-hard college football fans. They went to major universities with big boy brands of football throughout the Southeast. During SEC Media Days, when it seems like (to us) that the entire world is revolving around SEC football, these friends aren’t even aware that the event is happening. It’s not remotely on their radar, and several of them are obsessed with the SEC.
Sure, when
Paul Finebaum and Nick Saban got into an argument last year on the set at Media Days, it got a lot of attention. But the attention really had nothing to do with Media Days if you think about it. Finebaum and Saban arguing would get a lot of attention from SEC fans regardless of where it took place or the month of the year in which it took place.
Is the lack of interest from typical college football fans just a function of the fact that Media Days is not much more than press conferences in which coaches say very little, televised during the day while most normal people are working? Probably.
Perhaps this event exists solely for the media and the general fan’s interest isn’t relevant to the conversation?
Ty Duffy:
I think you hit on the operative point. SEC media days happen in mid-July. There is nothing else going on in major sports that week. Almost literally nothing. MLB grinds to a halt for the All-Star Break. Consequential NBA free agency moves have occurred. NFL players don’t show up to training camp for a couple more weeks. The calendar is bleak.
Live sports don’t go year round. The media cycle does. So, we’ve seen the advent of non-event events. The NFL Draft has become its own ancillary season. Signing Day has blown up.
Media Days are the worst of this trend: media putting on a full-court press covering… media. If ESPN wishes to turn this into a fan event, they could jazz it up a little bit. I’d love a “Real Housewives Reunion” style afternoon with all the coaches on a coach answering uncomfortable questions about the previous season.
They are definitely more important for the media than the general fan, especially in a large, disparate sport like college football. If you’re a reporter, you can only be one place out of many per weekend. Even if you’re a national reporter on the road every weekend, you still only get a small portion of the picture. It’s not often you have all the media assembled and every coach and administrator in one place answering questions.
The trouble for fans is these things are more or less perfunctory. Coaches are prepared, on point, and close to the vest. Media members dependent on coaches for access don’t come in flame-throwing. When a coach says something newsworthy and interesting, it’s most often after a game or when caught off guard on a radio show.
Unlike the NFL where every player is available and every team in the Super Bowl has a Rob Gronkowski or Michael Bennett, the few college players made available at these events are the ones mature enough to handle that spotlight.
Stories will be filed. Column inches will be filled. But, there’s seldom anything organic or unexpected that will start up a water cooler conversation (if anything non-political can still do so.)
Is there anything, in particular, you are looking forward to seeing addressed? The biggest intrigue has to be around Hugh Freeze with the recruiting saga?
Kevin Duffey:
You mean other than Jim McElwain’s nude shark humping scandal? If I had to power rank topics I’d like to see addressed, it’d go something like this:
1. Nude Jim McElwain look-a-like humping shark
2 – 1032. Everything else
1033. Ole Miss NCAA violations
In all seriousness, when I saw this video of Jim McElwain answering questions on the nude shark humping event for like the 5th time in a week, I couldn’t stop watching it. I laughed and I cried. I can’t decide if we’re living in the golden age of college football coverage or if we’re taking on water and are about to go down with the ship.
Do we think that public relations students are going to be studying Jim McElwain’s response in the above video for the next 50 years learning how not to handle nude shark humping scandals? I think so. I’d also be remiss if I didn’t give a shoutout to the excellent line of questioning in that video. I think we have a budding Lester Holt on our hands. I know University of Florida has a good journalism school, but I didn’t know it was that good!
But let’s get back to fixing Media Days. You mentioned “jazzing” it up a bit. I’m glad you bring this up because I’ve been giving this plenty of thought, and I’d like to share some of my ideas. My first one is admittedly pretty bold.
…and here it is: the previous year’s SEC Championship coach gets to kick out a team from league play for the upcoming season, and the announcement is made primetime at SEC Media Days.
I have to give credit to where credit is due. This idea originates from learning about The Ringer’s Bill Simmons’ fantasy football league where the previous year’s champion gets to kick out one team for the next year. But here’s the best part … the announcement isn’t made until the draft. So, everyone shows up to the draft with their draft prep and notes. And one of those poor suckers won’t even get to participate in the draft. Instead, take a hike. We’ll see you next year.
My favorite part of learning about this is that Simmons’ buddy and fellow podcaster, Cousin Sal (also of the Jimmy Kimmel Show) kicked out Mr. Mad Men himself, Jon Hamm. See you next year, Draper!
I don’t see any reason the SEC can’t implement a similar approach.
You bring in all the SEC coaches onto the stage in front of the press. Then, the previous SEC Championship winning head coach steps up to the podium and announces who is out for the upcoming season. The drama would be incredible. The tension would be brutal.
In fact, you might get some similar dynamics to a rose ceremony on ABC’s The Bachelor. My personal favorite part of such events is when the guy or girl who knows the chances of getting cut are high make a last ditch attempt to save himself or herself. Right before a rose is held out, Jessie will blurt out, “Hey, um, Jim … can I talk to you for a minute?” Jim always obliges of course, and they step outside while Jessie makes a humiliating and pathetic final attempt to save herself. It typically doesn’t work.
Getting back to Hoover, this would be amazing. Kevin Sumlin, already feeling some pressure after his AD called him out recently, is sweating bullets. Nick Saban is at the microphone about to announce who’s out.
Kevin: “Nick, I’m sorry, but I really need a word.”
Nick: “Damnit Kevin. What now?”
Kevin: “Just 30 seconds. Please.”
Nick: “Fine, but you know how much I hate Hoover. Let’s keep this quick.”
After a minute, Nick and Kevin walk back onto the stage. Nick is visibly irritated, but also has an evil smile in the corner of his mouth indicating he actually is enjoying this process. He begins to speak: “Ladies and gentlemen. The team that will not be competing in the SEC this season is … (long pause), (really long pause) the Georgia Bulldogs! That’s right, Kirby. You’re done, son. Excuse me while I call Jacob Eason about his transfer options.”
What would the ratings be on this event? I’m thinking Cavs-Warriors NBA Finals levels, 20 million or so…
Ty Duffy:
Yes, it’s interesting you bring up Jim McElwain. Between the shark scandal and the offseason goatee he showed up with during the NCAA Tournament, he’s making a strong campaign for “most interesting man in the SEC.” One more viral happening – hoping for a Florida produced dance video of some sort – or even showing up with a deep sunburn and a sunglasses tan may push him over the edge.
That sort of says something about the SEC right now. Have recent changes made the cast of coaches more boring?
Steve Spurrier has left us. To be truthful, his fastball was topping out in the upper-80s toward the end of the South Carolina tenure. We weren’t getting a “you can’t spell Citrus without UT” as much as we all wanted to make it happen. But, he was without question a character. He was replaced with Will Muschamp who, while among the most GIF-able coaches on the sideline, is a dull media day interview.
