There’s never a dull day in Southeastern Conference football, and Tuesday was no different as league coaches conducted their spring teleconference.
The SEC streamed the question-and-answer event live for the first time and welcomed two new coaches into the loop, as Kevin Sumlin and Gary Pinkel lead Texas A&M and Missouri to the new-look league this fall.
ARKANSAS HIRES SMITH
The man behind the teleconference’s hottest topic didn’t even participate in it.
After former coach Bobby Petrino’s scandalous exploits with a female athletic department employee got him fired, Arkansas found his temporary replacement.
The Razorbacks hired former Michigan State and Louisville coach John L. Smith on Tuesday to a 10-month contract as interim head coach.
Coaches around the league weighed in on the sudden news with largely positive feedback.
“The fact that they’re keeping the staff intact is important,” said Alabama coach Nick Saban. “And John L. has a lot of great experience as a coach. I still feel they’re going to be one of the most toughest teams in our division.”
Smith, Arkansas’ special teams coordinator for the last three years, is 132-86 in 18 seasons as a head coach. Athletic Director Jeff Long said he will have a chance to earn the job permanently.
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK
Tuesday’s teleconference was a mild housewarming party for Missouri and Texas A&M, the SEC’s new blood.
For the Aggies, the conference won’t be the only new thing next fall.
A&M is also ushering in Sumlin, the former Houston coach, as its new head football coach while replacing quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who is off to the NFL.
Sumlin said four quarterbacks are battling for the starting gig. He mentioned sophomores Jameill Showers and Johnny Manziel as potential frontrunners.
But Sumlin was audibly excited as he discussed the Aggies’ schedule.
“There’s a big buzz here about our first home game against Florida,” Sumlin said.
Pinkel, who is 85-54 in 11 seasons at Missouri, echoed those sentiments as the Tigers enter the SEC East, saying they have something to prove.
“It will be mammoth here,” Pinkel said of the SEC opener against Georgia. “Any time you’re the new kid on the block, you have to earn respect.”
LSU travels to Texas A&M on Oct. 20 but will avoid Missouri in the regular season.
 
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Contact Chris Abshire at [email protected].